Advertising booklet for "The Midgets Palace" and Biographical Sketches of Count and Countess Philippe Nicol
(Montreal): The Midgets Palace/ Le Palais Des Nains, (1940). Wraps. Staple bound booklet 4 1/4" x 6" in illustrated wrappers. Dos a dos in English and in French, 32 pp. Illustrated throughout with photographic images, staged and domestic images of the couple as well as of their son . Very good or somewhat better, some light toned spots to the wrappers. A promotional piece for "The Midgets Palace"/ "La Palais Des Nians" , part exhibit and part hotel for a troupe of "little people" located in Montreal. It was established by Philippe Nicol (1881-1940), born with dwarfism who, in his early years, was a "sideshow freak" with the Barnum and Bailey Circus from the age of three, and his wife Rosa, also a dwarf. After establishing The Midgets Palace, the pair dubbed themselves "Count and Countess" and became known as the" King and Queen of Midgets". They opened "The Midgets Palace" at 961 Rue Rachel in Montreal 1926 as a "dime museum" such as were popular at the time. Admission would include one of these booklets. This particular copy includes on the inner covers, a memorial portrait of Philippe with the notation that he had died on May 26th, 1940, aged 58 years and 8 months. Very Good. Item #E34672
Price: $50.00