P.T. Barnum papers

Description data TOP

unitid

{"value"=>"215", "type"=>"local_mss"}

{"value"=>"b12060495", "type"=>"local_b"}

{"value"=>"MssCol 215", "type"=>"local_call"}

unitdate

{"value"=>"1843-1890", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1843/1890"}

unittitle

{"value"=>"P.T. Barnum papers"}

physdesc

{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"1 box", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"0.25 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}

repository

{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Manuscripts and Archives</span>"}

abstract

{"value"=>"Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810-1891) was an American showman. He originated the traveling circus, and in 1881 with his leading rival, James Bailey, formed the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Barnum also was active in Connecticut politics and served as mayor of Bridgeport from 1867 to 1869. Collection consists of letters written by P.T. Barnum to Moses Kimball, Gordon Lester Ford and others, 1846-1890; press clippings and newspapers containing references to Barnum's \"Fiji Mermaid\" exhibit in the southern United States, 1843; and autograph passes, a calling card and other miscellaneous items."}

langmaterial

{"value"=>"English"}

{"value"=>"Materials in English"}

origination

{"value"=>"Barnum, P. T. (Phineas Taylor), 1810-1891", "type"=>"persname"}

bioghist

{"value"=>"<p>P. T. (Phineas Taylor) Barnum (1810-1891), perhaps the greatest showman of the 19th century and the originator of the traveling circus, was born in Bethel, Connecticut in 1810. In the course of his career, he introduced to the American public the dwarf Tom Thumb, the Swedish singer Jenny Lind, and Jumbo the elephant which were only the most notable among numerous sensations. After establishing the Barnum Museum in 1842 which successfully presented a multitude of exotic exhibits and performances by man and beast, he launched the first traveling circus in 1871. Facing increasing competition in this venture, he combined with his leading rival, James Bailey, in 1881 to form the Barnum and Bailey Circus.</p> <p> In addition to his career as a showman, Barnum was also involved in politics. He served in the Connecticut state legislature from 1867 to 1869, was mayor of Bridgeport, and was responsible for much of the economic development of the area in that era. He authored three books: Life of P. T. Barnum (1855), Humbugs of the World (1865), and \"Lion Jack\", A Story (1876). Married twice, he had three daughters. He died in 1891 at his home in Bridgeport.</p>"}

scopecontent

{"value"=>"<p>The collection consists of correspondence, newspaper clippings, ephemera from the circus and entertainment milieu, and some biographical material on Barnum. The correspondence is outgoing, covering the years 1846 to 1890, and mostly to Moses Kimball of the Boston Museum and Gordon Lester Ford of the <span class=\"title\">New York Tribune</span>. Also included is a sketch of Barnum's career published as the introduction to the two volume biography Struggles and Triumphs (1927) by George S. Bryan; newspaper clippings, mostly from 1843, but also including later advertisements and obituary notices from 1891; and such ephemera as ticket vouchers, name tags, and menus.</p>"}

acqinfo

{"value"=>"<p>Received from: Ford Family, circa 1902</p>"}

processinfo

{"value"=>"<p>Processed by Laura Grant, April 1989</p>"}

altformavail

{"value"=>"<p>Selected papers available on microfilm; New York Public Library</p>"}

revisiondesc

{"value"=>"Box and folder information added by Allison Hughes", "date"=>"2026"}

date_start

1843

keydate

1843

date_end

1890

date_inclusive_start

1843

date_inclusive_end

1890

extent_statement

0.25 linear feet (1 box)

prefercite

{"value"=>"P.T. Barnum papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library"}

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1. Barnum, at Brighton [Eng.], to Moses Kimball, at Boston
2. P. T. Barnum, at Kidderminster, Eng., to Moses Kimball, at Boston
3. P. T. Barnum, at Bridgeport [Conn.], to Moses Kimball, at: Boston
4. Barnum, at Washington [D. C.], to Moses Kimball, at Boston
5. Barnum, at Philadelphia, to Moses Kimball, at Boston
6. P. T. Barnum, at "Museum", to Moses Kimball, at Boston
7. P. T. Barnum, at Bridgeport, to Moses Kimball, at Boston
8. P. T. Barnum, at Philadelphia, to Moses Kimball, at Boston
9. Barnum, at "Museum", to Moses Kimball, at _?
10. P. T. Barnum, at _? to Moses Kimball, at _?
11. Barnum, at "Museum", to Moses Kimball, at Boston
12. P. T. Barnum, at "Am Museum", to "Friend Greeley", at_?
13. Barnum, at Bridgeport, to Moses Kimball, at _?
14. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to Moses Kimball, at _?
15. P. T. Barnum, at Bridgeport, to Moses Kimball, at Boston
16. P. T. Barnum, at "American Museum, New York", to "Mias Ford", at _?
17. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to _?, at _?
18. G. Guilford, at New York on letterhead of "Barnum's New American Museum"
19. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to Moses Kimball, at _?
20. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to "My Dear [_?]", at _?
21. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to "My Dear Mr. Ford", at __?
22. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to "My Dear Ford", at _?
23. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to "My Dear Mr. Ford", at _?
24. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to "My Dear Mr. Ford", at _?
25. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to "My Dear Tribune", at 666?
26. P. T. Barnum, at London, to "My Dear Mr. Ford", at_?
27. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to Messrs. Dempsey & Carroll, at _?
28. P. T. Barnum, at Bridgeport, to "My Dear Mr. Ford", at _?
29. P. T. Barnum, at Bridgeport, to "My Dear Mr. Ford", at __?
30. P. T. Barnum, at Bridgeport, to "My Dear Mr. Ford", at _?
31. P. T. Barnum, at Bridgeport, to "Mr. S. H. Hand", at __?
32. P. T. Barnum, at Bridgeport, to Moses Kimball, at?
33. P. T. Barnum, at Bridgeport, to Gordon L. Ford written on bottom of letter from Ford to Barnum dated November 3, 1877
34. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to "Genl. Reilly" written on verso of letter to Barnum from Julian H. Sterling dated May 3, 1881
35. P. T. Barnum, at Bridgeport, to "A. N, Kellogg's Newspaper Company", at _?
36. P. T. Barnum, at Bridgeport, to "Dear Lucy", at_?
37. P. T. Barnum, at Bridgeport, to W. L. Sherwood, at_?
38. P. T. Barnum (an aphorism for autograph collector)
39. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to "Dear Mrs. Cuyler", at _?
40. P. T. Barnum, at _? to "Mr. Ford", at _?
41. P. T. Barnum, at _? to "Mr. Baker", at _?
42. P. T. Barnum, at _? to "Sir", at__?
43. P. T. Barnum, at Niagara Falls, to "My Dear Mr. Ford", at _?
44. "Jenkins" [actually Barnum] to Katharine Gordon Ford
45. P. T. Barnum, at New York, to John S. Blatchford (United States Sanitary Commission), on letter head of Barnum's American Museum. Mentions Tom Thumb
46. Newspaper clippings and ephemera