ASTLEY, PHILLIP TOKEN -- MT019.000
LOCATION: London, England
DATE: 1795
OBV: Mercury on horseback, below "LYCERIM STRAND / LONDON" around is "THE FIRST EQUESTRIAN PERFORMANCE IN EUROPE"
REV: Man standing on head on sword point below "EVERY EVENING" around is "SINGING DANCING TUMBLING SLACK WIRE ETC."
COMPOSITION: C, R5, V6, 29-V
Although there is nothing on this token to identify Phillip Astley as the issuer, it is known that Astley occupied the Lyceum while his amphitheatre was being rebuilt after a fire in 1794. Astley was the author of "Astley's System of Equestrian Education" (Lambeth, 1801) as well as "Natural Magic: or, Physical Amusements Revealed," (London, 1785), a conjuring book greatly sought after by collectors.
Information From:
Magicians' Tokens And Related Items
An Illustrated check-list with estimates of values and rarities.
by F. William Kuethe, Jr.
TAMS Journal, Volume 18, Number 5, October 1978, (Part Two)
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| Read It |
Yes |
| Location |
Magic Library (Home) |
| Condition |
Very Fine |
| Owner |
Bryan-Keith Taylor |
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Philip Astley (8 January 1742 – 27 January 1814) is regarded as the "father of the modern circus." The circus industry, as a presenter of an integrated entertainment experience that includes music, domesticated animals, acrobats, and clowns, traces its heritage to Astley's Amphitheatre, a riding school that Astley founded in London following the success of his invention of the circus ring in 1768.
In his 1785 book, Natural Magic or Physical Amusements Revealed, Philip Astley purports that he himself had invented the bullet catch trick in 1762.
