The Life of a Showman; and the Managerial Struggles of David Prince Miller: With Anecdotes and Letters of Some of the Most Celebrated Modern Actors and Actresses. The Art of Fortune Telling. An Expose of the Practices of Begging Imposters, Mountebanks, Jugglers, and Various Deceivers of the Public; Together With the Secrets of Conjuring, and an Explanation of the Most Celebrated and Striking Tricks of Wizards and Conjurors

David Prince Miller

Published by Thomas Hailes Lacy, London, 1866

About this Item

A very scarce autobiography by the entertainer and showman David Prince Miller, an interesting work on the life of a theatre manager in Victorian Britain. The second edition of this vanishingly scarce work.Only seen once at auction in the last forty years. (In 2006).The autobiography of David Prince Miller, recounting his various struggles throughout his career.Miller was a showman and magician, known for founding several Adelphi Theatres across Britain. He created the idea of reduced Shakespeare plays, following the plots of Shakespeare's works but reducing them to 20 minute plays.In this work Miller looks back at his life and the managerial struggles he faced, alongside an array of entertaining anecdotes on some of the leading actors and actresses of his day.Miller also exposes some of the secrets of conjuring and fortune telling, a popular phenomenon of Victorian Britain.Bookplate of Ron Edwards, member of the Magic Circle, to the reverse of the front wrap.Collated, lacking page 191/192 and the rear wrap. In the original publisher's paper wraps, lacking the rear wrap. Externally, front wrap is lifting a little to the head and tail. A small amount of loss to the head of the front wrap, and a little loss to the backstrip. Paper to the backstrip is a little creased. Front wrap is discoloured with a few light marks. Label to the reverse of the front wrap. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very lightly age-toned and clean with a few light spots. Lacking page 191/192. Faded inscription to the head of the title page. Final leaf is torn to the head. Good Only.

Seller Inventory # 814P18

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Life of a Showman; and the Managerial Struggles of David Prince Miller: With Anecdotes and Letters of Some of the Most Celebrated Modern Actors and Actresses. The Art of Fortune Telling. An Expose of the Practices of Begging Imposters, Mountebanks, Jugglers, and Various Deceivers of the Public; Together With the Secrets of Conjuring, and an Explanation of the Most Celebrated and Striking Tricks of Wizards and Conjurors
• Publisher: Thomas Hailes Lacy, London
• Publication Date: 1866
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: None
• Condition: Good Only
• Weight: 0.5 kilograms
• Book Type: book