(Martini Maccomo) | The famous lion tamer, "the Great King of all Lion Kings!"

Auction Closed

October 28, 08:54 PM GMT

Estimate

600 - 800 USD

Lot Details

Description

(Martini Maccomo)

Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue of Manders' Grand National Star Menagerie: with Life and Adventures of Martini Maccomo. Liverpool: Henry Greenwood, [ca. 1870]


Pamphlet of eight bifolia, sewn (213 x 146 mm). Cover with large etched portrait of Maccomo to center; edges worn, a little foxing. One full-page etching depicting Maccomo with lions, sixteen smaller etched illustrations of animals throughout; edges worn with marginal closed tears, some light foxing.


While the famed lion tamer Martini Maccomo's origins have been disputed, he is reported here to have been born in Angola on 2 April 1839. His father was a hunter and trapper, and at age 16, "he prevailed upon his father to allow him to accompany a consignment of wild beasts which were destined for an American menagerie." Maccomo made his debut as a lion tamer in New York in 1855, before ultimately moving to England and joining William Manders' troupe. He grew famous for his accomplishments, and as the pamphlet states, "scores of rivals ... have been foisted upon the public ... but in every case the gross and unscrupulous imposters have been 'hoist with their own petards,' and Martini Maccomo still remains—as he ever has been—the Great King of all Lion Kings!"

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