Lunchtime Lecture: Albert Smith, Showman and his Peepshows

Albert Smith (1816-1860) began his career as a journalist, and went on to become one of the most successful British entertainers of the mid-19th century. He travelled widely and made his travels the subject of his performances, whether it was his adventures in the Middle East, his ascent of the Mont Blanc, or his discovery of China. His Mont Blanc show was a hit, running for six years at the Egyptian Hall on Piccadilly. At a time when cinema had not yet been invented, Smith brought his audience on an exciting journey, through his colourful stories set against a backdrop of picturesque panoramas. The shows were accompanied by a wealth of merchandising. In this talk, Jonathan Gestetner will focus on the paper peepshows which, like miniature stage sets, re-enacted the highlights of Smith’s story.