American Historical Ephemera & Photography Online

2 printed broadsides, 8 1/8 x 18 1/8 in., promoting a Punch and Judy performance, "To conclude with the celebrated Nose Amputation!" Hartford, CT: Calhoun Steam Printing Co., 1855 (light toning, occasional spotting, very good condition overall). Specific location, date, and time left blank, to be filled in upon scheduling. These compelling broadsides were posted from town to town by traveling magician and entrepreneur, Mr. A. Walker, as he conducted his evening of entertainment across the New England countryside. Under the bold heading “Splendid Amusement! Startling Feats of Legerdemain!,” Mr. Walker announces and promises to his audience “A variety of novel, original and startling Feats of Natural Magic!” combined with “the extremely Laughable Performance of PUNCH & JUDY consisting of Ten Beautiful Mechanical Figures!”

[With:] 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. printed announcement for the 1877-1878 season at the Hall's Opera House in Avon, NY, with a concert announced for 18 January 1878. Admission was $1 and sponsored by the Avon Hook & Ladder Company No. 1. The announcement features a standing vignette of a firefighter next to a ladder (light toning, light edge wear, folds). 

[Also with:] Champion: Mr. & Mrs. Crow. Chicago, IL and Springfield, OH: Wardner, Bushnell, & Clessner, n.d., ca 1889-1893. 4 3/8 x 6 1/2 in. printed pamphlet, 16pp., advertising Champion Harvesting Equipment along with the illustrated story, "Mr. & Mrs. Crow" (light soiling, very good condition overall). 

Together, 4 items.