The Life And Adventures Of Valentine Vox The Ventriloquist

Walter Scott, London, circa 1890. First Thus. Hardcover (Original Cloth). Good Condition/No Dust Jacket. b/w. frontis. plate, contents, tacked in list of publisher's volumes (uniform with this); originally published in the monthly serial format, popularised by Charles Dickens, 'The Life And Adventures Of Valentine Vox The Ventriloquist'' was an immediate success, enjoying great popularity and acclaim. Illustrations by Thomas Onwhyn were a prominent feature of this, and most of Henry Cockton's later novels. The first three chapters are set 'in one of the most ancient and populous boroughs in the county of Suffolk', a thinly disguised Bury St. Edmunds. Valentine Vox teaches himself ventriloquism after seeing a performer in a local tavern, then uses his skills to create mayhem and mischief. Fearing this will lead him into trouble, his family send him to stay with his uncle Grimwood Goodman in London. This provides unlimited opportunities to perform pranks, such as disrupting political meetings, theatrical performances, educational lectures and social events. The novel contains no technical information about ventriloquism, and it is doubtful if the author had any practical knowledge of the subject. 22-page catalogue of publisher's titles to rear. New Edition. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. 137 + 22 pages. Previous owner's signature in ink to fep.. All edges gilt in good condition. Gilt titles & gilt floral decoration spine. front Inner hinges starting. textured blue cloth with double line bliind-stamped outer border. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Fiction; Ventriloquism; Novel; Victorian Novels; England; 19th century; Fiction. Inventory No: 4669. .