(Roxbury, Massachusetts: 12th October 1892 - ?)
Pro mentalist as "Calostro". Collector and publisher (Calostro Publications) in Somerville, MA, of books on mind-reading. Attended the High School of Commerce in Boston. A veteran of the US Marine Corps. Wrote (with David J. Lustig) Vaudeville Ventriloquism (1920; 2nd ed 1952).
Coauthors: David J. Lustig
Booklet stapled in excellent condition, protected by a clear acetate sheet that has been neatly bound with a string to the booklet. For details on the content see the digital edition.
From the introduction:
These instructions are based on the methods used by many artists who have become eminently successful in the field of ventriloquism and who, like yourself, had to get their start from such textbooks as were available. I have been told on numerous occasions by both amateurs and professionals that they received their first instructions in the art from La Vellma's Vaudeville Ventriloquism, of which I was co-author and published in 1920. Dealers who listed this book, now out of print, for years recommended it as the standard textbook on ventriloquism and they have repeatedly asked for a new edition. Finally,...
From the Preface:
This book was written with an object in view. Namely to set right the many folks who have voiced a desire to become ventriloquists but after reading books on the subject have been at a loss just how to go about studying this fascinating art. The lessons arranged in this work are framed so that anyone possessing good vocal chords and who are willing to devote the necessary time and patience to studying the art can become ventriloquial entertainers. The authors know that everything found in this work is practical and trust those interested will profit by the contents of the...