Mr. Rannie [John Rannie] | Early American broadside advertising a ventriloquism act

Mr. Rannie [John Rannie]

For Three Nights Only. Theatre Newport. On Monday Evening, June 4, 1804, will [be] displayed by Mr. Rannie, the inimitable powers of Ventriloquism. [Newport]: The Rhode Island Republican, 1804

Broadside playbill (445 x 555 mm). "Ventriloquism" printed in reverse lettering with decorative border, six woodcut vignettes depicting Mr. Rannie's act; not examined out of frame, old folds, scattered soiling, mostly marginal tears and chips, some into text along center fold. Framed and glazed with Plexiglas.  

An advertisement for the Newport, Rhode Island,performance of the multi-talented, Scottish-born John Rannie. The striking woodcut illustrations depict the performer in his full breadth: wire-walker, ventriloquist, avian impresario, and magician. His repertoire also consisted of a variety of card tricks, including one in which the selections chosen by the audience would be revealed by a "philosophical fish" (seen at center right). 

For a decade at the turn of the century, Rannie plied his skills from Maine to New Orleans, and he is said to have offered the first theatrical performances in English west of the Allegheny Mountains (EE). 

REFERENCE:

Exemplars, p. 301; EE, pp. 62-63