The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Hans Valery (Valerian) ( - )

Thoresby's diary vol. 2 has a reference to him going to see Hans Valery: "I was much obliged in my younger years; went with him to see Hans Valerian, a German, who, being born without hands or arms, performs many actions most dexterously with his feet. I have several specimens of his writing, (scriptum ore et pedibus, &c.)" page 30
Thoresby took his children to see Hans Valery who was 40 years old at the time on March 21st, 1710
Artisan or Craftsman - creator
Relevant locations: Visited London, England
Visited Leeds, Leeds Parish
Linked print sources: as Artisan or Craftsman - creator - Ducatus Leodiensis; or the topography of the town and parish of Leedes and parts adjacent ...
References in Documents:
Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

An Essay of Mrs. Walkier's Writing, who was blind from a Year old, of whom is a remarkable Account in Bp. Burnet's excellent and instructive Letters (pag. 116.) The Distich is, Linea si titubet, Lector, literæq; vacillent, Noris quam fallax sit sine luce manus. The said Right Reverend Prelate transmitted it to his Grace my Lord Archbishop of Yorke for this Musæum. A Calendar curiously writ and painted by Matthias Buckinger of Koningsberg (An. 1700) who was born without Hands and Feet. Don. D. Gul. Cookson Arm. Præt. Leod. A different Sort of his Writing given me by Alderman Dodgson. His Picture (the Copper-Plate said to be engraved by himself) with an Inscription below, writ by himself, when in Holland: Mr. Cranidge, who gave it me, saw him perform it; the preceding are also attested by Eye-witnesses. The Name and Motto of Jean Francois Blanchet, who was born at Bern without Arms. Hans Valery's Picture and Writing below, 1709, when at London and Leedes. Mr. Jonas Whittington's, who was deaf and dumb brone (as he mistook it for borne), he paints after the Life in Oil Colours, and writes well after Copies; but when his own Conceptions, is much at a Loss in the Prepositions, Monasyllables, &c. All these, with the Swiffers, I saw written. The Continuation of several Columns in Mr. Tallent's Chronological Tables, delicately writ by himself, when he was Fourscore and four Years of Age, and sent me by that good old Saint. Sermon Notes of Mr. George Beaumont, who suffered for K. Charles I. so close writ that there are 20 or 21 Lines in an Inch. Don. Rev. Fran. Drake Pontfrac. A Sermon or Mr. Rob. Porters, a N C. who are frequently reflected upon as long winded, yet a Leaf in 8vo. comprizes the whole: It is not only legible, but delicately writ, yet so close that 28 Lines come within the Space of an Inch. Don. Rev. Gul. Moult Leod. A very small Writing of Mr. Sam. Walker's of Leedes. A Bond in Court-Hand in one Line, and the Condition in another, writ by the curious Pen of Mr. Robert Jackson also of Leedes, who engraves well, though infinitely short of that celebrated Artist, and my kind Friend, Mr. John Sturt of London, who is famous for his Skill and Dexterity in Graving, and has, besides many other exquisite Performances, engraved the Lord's Prayer in so small a Compass, that a Silver Half-penny covers it; and the Creed within that of a mill'd Penny; and both of them, with the Ten Commandments, the Magnificat, the Prayer for the King and Queen, the Prayer for the Royal Family, the Prayer for Clergy and People, the Prayer of St. Chrysostom, and the Blessing, in the Bigness of the Heads of their Majesties, upon a Medal, 1693.