A notice advertising himself by Matthias Buchinger, a phocomelic man. Etching, 1837, in facsimile of a printed notice, 1716.

London (Chancery Lane) : Published by William Pickering for Smiths Historical and Literary Curiosities, 1837.

1 print : etching ; platemark 23.8 x 16.6 cm

By authority -lately arriv'd ... The lettering in full reads "By authority -lately arriv'd and to be seen at the Globe and Duke of Marlborough's H in Fleet-Street a German born without hands, feet, or thighs, (that never was in this kingdom before) who does such miraculous actions as none else can do with hands and feet: He has had the honour to perform before most Kings and, princes, particularly several times before King George. He makes a pen, and writes several hands as quick and as well as any writing-master, and will write with any for a wager; he draws faces to the life, and coats of armes, pictures, flowers, etc. with a pen, very curiously: He threads a fine needle very quick; shuffles a pack of cards, and deals them very swift. He plays upon the dulcimer as well as any musician: He does many surprising things with cups and balls, and gives the curious great satisfaction thereby: He plays at skittles several ways very well; shaves himself very dexterously: and many other things, too tedious to insert. This is written by Matthew Buchinger at London 1716/7, born without hands and feet at Anspack. 1674 the 3. Jany"

C.J.S. Thompson, The mystery and lore of monsters, London 1930, pp. 209-211

Leslie Fiedler, Freaks, New York 1978, pp. 52-53

Wellcome Collection 201i