(Buchinger, Matthias) | "He waits on Gentlemen and Ladies at their own Houses, at any Hour of the Day, if desir'd"

(Buchinger, Matthias)
Announcement of Buchinger's first appearance in the United Kingdom in The Daily Courant, Numb. 4994, London: Printed by S. Gray and Sold by R. Burleigh, Friday, October 18, 1717

Letterpress broadsheet newspaper (358 x 228 mm). Text in two columns, revenue stamp in upper left margin of first page; a little browning, spotting, and staining, mounting residue at left margin.

Although Buchinger is not named in the announcement, his great skills are heralded in a notice in the first column of the second page: "Lately arriv'd, and to be seen at the Globe and Duke of Marlborough's Head in Fleetstreet, A German born without Hands, Feet, or Thighs, (that never was in this Kingdom before) who does such miraculous Actions as none else can do with Hands and Feet: He makes a Pen, and writes several Hands, as quick and well as any Writing Master: He draws Faces to the Life, Coats of Arms, Pictures, Flowers, &c. … Threads a fine Needle very quick; shuffles a Pack of Cards, and deals them very Swift; … does many surprirzing [sic] Things with Cups and Balls; plays at Skittles … and many other Things too tedious to insert here." And for those among the gentry who prefer not to frequent the Globe and Duke, the notice concludes, "He waits on Gentlemen and Ladies at their own Houses, at any Hour of the Day, if desir'd."

REFERENCE:
MB, fig 17

Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.

In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.