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James H. Sharp
| James H. Sharp | |
| Born | James H. Sharp 1830 |
|---|---|
| Died | 1908 |
Peter Hauntz was an American Civil War veteran, magician, marionette player and ventriloquist who traveled around central Pennsylvania performing in a covered wagon from 1865 until his death in 1908.
He adopted the stage name of his main marionette character, from "Peter Hans", a stock character popular in English shows in Pennsylvania German districts.[1]
His best trick was causing a fiddle to rise up to the ceiling and play Christmas carols.
He was killed by a switch engine near Lock Haven, Pa. in September 1908.[2]
References
- ↑ The Puppet Theatre in America: A History, with a List of Puppeteers 1524-1948 (1949)
- ↑ Hugard's Magic Monthly, July 1951
Peter Hauntz From MagicPedia Peter Hauntz - name of ventriloquist marionette Born: James H. Sharp - performer 1830 Died: 1908
Peter Hauntz was the name of a ventriloquist dummy given by an American Civil War veteran, magician, marionette player and ventriloquist by the name of James Henry Sharp who traveled around central Pennsylvania performing in a covered wagon from 1865 until his death in 1908. Sharp entertained Union troops with his cornet playing and puppet shows. He was sometimes called Colonel Sharp, Professor Sharp, and sometimes referred to his dummies' namesake, Peter Hauntz.
Sharp adopted the stage name of his main marionette character, from "Peter Hans", a stock character popular in English shows in Pennsylvania German districts.[1] One of his best known tricks was causing a fiddle to rise up to the ceiling to play Christmas carols. Sharp was distinguished by appearing in the likeness of Abraham Lincoln with his marionette appearing as a diminutive version of the same. Columnist Henry Shoemaker with the Altoona Tribune wrote articles on Sharp (Feb. 4, May 6, 1943, Dec. 1 1942, 1952). Sharp is listed on page 154 of Ryan Howard's book on ventriloquists. A children's book, "Herodia, the Lovely Puppet" (1940s?) was based on a part of Sharp's life. (His traveling road show included a little girl, Herodia, who pretended to by a marionette). James Sharp was killed by a switch engine near Lock Haven, Pa. in September 1908.[2]