posture-makern.

1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 258. ⁋3 I would fain ask..Why should not Rope-dancers, Vaulters, Tumblers, Ladder-walkers, and Posture-makers appear again on our Stage?

1747 in E. Singleton Social N.Y. under Georges (1902) vi. v. 316 A most curious Posture-Maker Boy,..who performs with the utmost Dexterity.

1795 Explan. Vices of Age 6 A Tumbler, or Posture Maker, who by his activity of body, surprises the lookers on.

1832 New-Eng. Mag. Aug. 146 Men came into the boxes without their coats, placing themselves in indescribable attitudes, the heels higher than the head, in a manner denoting exquisite posture-makers.

1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home II. 120 Posture-makers dislocated every joint of their body.

1878 Defiance (Ohio) Democrat 6 June 7/2 The vast majority of modern dancers are mere posture-makers, or else vigorous gymnasts kicking up their heels in defiance of all laws of beauty.

1902 E. Wharton Valley of Decision I. ii. vii. 195 Every square and open space in the city was crowded with booths, with the tents of ambulant comedians and dentists, and with the outspread carpets of snakecharmers, posture-makers and jugglers.

1952 J. S. Kendall Golden Age New Orleans Theater ii. 42 The only visitor was a Parisian posture maker named Mathis, billed as being from the London Olympic theater.

1995 Notes 2nd Ser. 52 60/1 Some unusual categories for onstage personnel include acrobat, animal trainer, dwarf...posture maker, pugilist, recider, ropedancer, [etc.].

1852 Harper's Mag. Jan. 253/2 A select Populace, with money in its purse, and drilled a little by the posture-maker.

1874 C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David IV. Ps. lxxxviii. 9 Men need no posture-maker, or master of ceremonies, when they are eagerly pleading for mercy.