Plays at Skittles, plays on a Dulcimer, cups & Balls [graphic].

[London], [early 18th century]

1 item ; 298 x 185 mm

paper

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FAST ACC 272151

From dealer's description: "107. (Buchinger, Matthias) | Plays at Skittles! Plays on a Dulcimer! Cups & Balls! (Buchinger, Matthias) Autograph calligraphic inscription signed by Buchinger ("Mathew Buchinger") at the foot of an engraved portrait of him Engraving on paper (298 x 185 mm), a central portrait of Buchinger surrounded by thirteen English-captioned vignettes of Buchinger demonstrating his various skills, London?, early eighteenth century (signed in plate lower right Elias Beck ali: Heldenmuth sculpsit, but likely an English re-engraving), inscribed by Buchinger (variously demonstrating frontward, backward, upside-down, and mirror writing) in the lower margin, Stamford, 1718/9; date somewhat abraded, some fold separations and repairs, some thin spots, trimmed close. Like the Elias Beck engraving on which it is based, this engraving was evidently sold at Buchinger's performances, with the larger lower margin being available—likely at an additional fee—for a personalized calligraphic inscription by its subject. The talents of Buchinger illustrated here are not exactly the same as on the earlier Beck engraving. Here he is shown in the lower right image producing live birds from underneath cups rather than creating a whimsey bottle filled with intricately cut "fancies in wood." Ordered from: Sotheby's Auctions New York, D9542, 2021-11-01, "The Ricky Jay Collection", October 27, 2021, Lot #107

272151