Entertainment

P.T. Barnum is certainly the most well known showman in American history. He employed sensational forms of presentation and publicity to popularize such amusements as the public museum, the musical concert, and the three-ring circus.
        In 1835 , in New York City, he successfully presented Joice Heth, a wizened black woman whom he advertised as the 161-year-old nurse to General George Washington. On her death, it was exposed as a hoax. In 1842, Barnum acquired John Scudder's American Museum, in N.Y.C., a five-story marble structure filled with stuffed animals, waxwork figures, and similar conventional exhibits. The new owner rapidly transformed the museum into a carnival of live freaks, dramatic theatricals, beauty contests, and other sensational attractions. By means of outrageous stunts, repetitive advertising, and exaggerated publicity, Barnum excited international attention and made his showcase of wonders a landmark. He gave it up in 1868 up after fires twice had all but destroyed it.
        Barnum's first successful exhibit in the museum was the Feejee Mermaid, which had a seemingly human head topping the finned body of a fish and was, of course, found later to be a fake. Among the genuine curiosities were Chang & Eng , the Siamese twins . It was, however, Charles S. Stratton, a man only 25 inches tall who was discovered by Barnum, that proved to be his most profitable exhibit.
        Eager to change his image from promoter of freaks to impresario of artistic attractions, Barnum risked his entire fortune by importing Jenny Lind, a Swedish soprano whom he had never seen or heard and who was almost unknown in the United States. Dubbing Lind "The Swedish Nightingale," Barnum mounted the most massive publicity campaign he had ever attempted. Jenny Lind's opening night in New York, before a capacity audience of 5,000, and her nine months of concerts across the United States earned immense sums.
        Although his name has been popularly linked with the circus, Barnum did not, in fact, become a circus showman until he was past the age of 60. Barnum did not invent the modern circus, but, in partnership with the James A. Bailey, he did give the American spectacle its gigantic size, its most memorable attractions, and its widest popularity, attempting to make it what he called "the greatest show on earth." Barnum capped his circus career by purchasing a 6 ¹/₂-ton elephant named Jumbo, who quickly earned back his purchase price during his first season under the big top.
        In 1891, his 81st year, Barnum fell gravely ill. At his request, a New York newspaper published his obituary in advance so that he might enjoy it.

1865 AMERICAN MUSEUM FIRE - Harper's Weekly. July 29, 1865 complete issue of Harper's Weekly. Strong full page woodcut of the museum in flames, half page illustration of post fire and one column detailed report of the tragedy. From bound volume, irregular at spine (and split), otherwise VG complete issue. (ET.117); $55.

1865 AMERICAN MUSEUM FIRE - Boston Post. July 14, 1865. 4pp newspaper. Small 1/4 column page first reports of the fire that destroyed the American Museum in N. Y. Good rag stock, from bound volume, small tear to top edge, otherwise VG. (ET.121) $35.

1865 AMERICAN MUSEUM FIRE - Boston Post. July 15, 1865. 4pp newspaper. Wonderfully detailed 1 1/2 column first page page reports of the fire that destroyed the American Museum in N. Y, along with descriptive accounts how Barnum's famed attractions made their escape. Good rag stock, from bound volume, shows irregular spine, other VG. (ET.122) $85.

BARNUM BIOGRAPHY. 1995 Ed: Barnum : America's Greatest Showman. Kunhardt, Philip B., Jr.; Kunhardt, Peter W. New York, NY, U.S.A.: Alfred A. Knopf Incorporated, 1995 Hard Cover. As New/As New dustjacket. First Edition. 4to . ISBN:0679435743. 358 pages. Well-made book, with more than 500 lithographs, photographs, engravings and other illustrations, in gilt-stamped cloth-covered boards and printed on coated, high-grade, glossy paper. Originally published at $45. (ET.104) $36.

P.T. Barnum’s Circus. P.T. Barnum & Sarah J. Burke. White & Allen, New York, 1888. Pages not numbered, chromo litho frontis, and title page. Illus., one two page chromo litho, pictorial boards, light wear around edges, two page plates loose. $850.00

GENERAL TOM THUMB.. Certainly the most well known attraction of the 19^th c., Tom Thumb (Charles Sherwood Stratton) entertained millions, along with the most important personages of his day. He was “discovered” by P.T.Barnum at the age of five in 1842, and became a celebrity overnight. In the process of his career, he was able to accumulate a fortune that enabled him to indulge a passion for racehorses and yachts. On Feb. 10, 1863 Tom Thumb married Lavinia Warren, in what was called the “Fairy Wedding”, at Grace Church in New York City. Interest in the wedding was intense; two thousand guest were invited. Gifts poured in from everywhere, including President and Mrs. Lincoln. The General died in 1883, at forty five years of age.

The following lots all pertain to Tom Thumb:

TOM THUMB AND LAVINIA. Carte de visite. 3 ¾” x 2 ½”. Printed id and information on their attire on bottom of mount. Ca. 1860’s , E.&H.T. Anthony backmark. Imprinted facsimile autographs on verso. Top of mount trimmed, otherwise Good+. (ET.55). $40.

COMMODORE NUTT AND MINNIE WARREN. Carte de visite. 4 ¼” x 2 ½”. Nutt was a rival suitor for Mrs. Tom Thumb hand , was Best man at Thumb’s Fairy wedding, Minnie was Lavinia’s sister. Ca. 1860’s , E.&H.T. Anthony backmark. Imprinted facsimile autographs on verso. Good+. (ET.56). $40.

FAIRY WEDDING WALTZ. Sheet music. 11”x 14” "Fairy Wedding Waltz to Mr. & Mrs Charles Stratton (General Tom Thumb & Wife)". 5pp. Copyright 1863. General Tom Thumb was P.T. Barnum’s most notable personality and the wedding of the two midgets pushed the Civil War off the front pages. From bound volume ( has three very small holes along left margin, a few small clean edge tears along right margin and bottom. With a Lowell, Mass. embossed blindstamp on top, overall g+ condition . (ET.120) $50.

HARPER'S WEEKLY : Fairy Wedding. Feb. 21, 1863 complete Harper's Weekly . Front cover has woodcut illustration of Tom Thumb & Wife, w/ one column internal story. From bound volume, VG+ cond. (ET.119). $65.

1850 BIOGRAPHICAL BOOKLET OF TOM THUMB. 4 1/2" x 7 1/2" "Sketch of the Life...of Charles Stratton..."Pub 1850 Van Norden & Amerman, Printers, New York. 24pp in original gray wraps. Biographical information, songs verses, and newspaper accounts of Thumb visits to various cities. Contains a nice illustrated advertisement for Barnum's American Museum on verso of front cover along w/ back cover illustration of the General at his performance before the crowned heads of Europe. Scarcer early thumb ephemera. Front cover has b/l corner (app. 1"w x 3/4" h) missing, edge chipping, light foxing on internal pages; otherwise G complete w/ no torn or missing pages. (ET.102); $165.

1866 LAVINIA STRATTON ALS. 3pp pen manuscript letter; 6" x 4 1/4" ; dated Derby, Nov 4th, 1866. In part:
My Dear Mr. Cromwell,
I received your kind letter and was very glad to hear from you. we have been today to see Newmstead Abbey where Lord Bryon used to live...
We saw a bedstead which belonged to your ancestor Oliver Cromwell it looked as I should think would suit him. I wish you could have been with us there were things from all parts of the world...Charlie & Minnie send their love. Hoping to hear from you again, your fiend Laviania Stratton.
P.S. send baby's pictures as soon as finished are you going to paint that picture of my friend Mr Wood.
Some splitting along folds, otherwise good cond and legibility. (ET.116). $165.

JENNY LIND(1820-87). The Swedish soprano Jenny Lind was admired equally for her skilled coloratura (singing ornately embellished music) in opera and oratorio and her appealing style in simple songs. In 1850, she toured the United States as "The Swedish Nightingale" under the auspices of P.T. Barnum. Lind married her accompanist, Otto Goldschmidt, in 1852, and they moved to England in 1856. There she appeared in oratorios and recitals. She retired from singing in 1883 and taught at the Royal College of Music in London until 1886.

JENNY LIND. Original carte de visite photograph, stylish backmark, but maker unknown. Full standing view. Mount trimmed on top. (Et.208); $85.

JENNY LIND. Sheet music " Ossian's Serenade" 13 1/2" x 10 1/4" lithographic cover with P.T. Barnum introducing Jenny Lind to Ossian Dodge, the noted Boston vocalist, who paid $625 for the ticket first concert of Lind in Boston. Complete 5pp, some light wear and use, from bound volume with spine stitching marks. Nice graphic cover art of this scarce sheet music. (Et.103); $85.

Waino and Plutano, The Wild Men of Borneo, were actually Hiram and Barney Davis, two mentally retarded dwarf brothers from Connecticut. Though a mere 40 inches tall and weighing in at about 45 pounds each, the brothers were possessed of extraordinary strength. On stage, the pair would lift heavy weights, members of the audience, and wrestle – both male audience members and each other. Discovered by a traveling showman in 1850, dubbing them with new names, the showman concocted a story that the bloodthirsty pair had been captured by sailors in Borneo, but only after a desperate struggle requiring many guns, nets, and strong men. Starting in 1880, Waino and Plutano began appearing with P. T. Barnum, whose uncanny knack for promotion caused their careers to soar. Under Barnum, the Wild Men of Borneo became one of the world’s most famous attractions. The pair continued to work into the early part of the twentieth century, until Hiram’s death in 1905. Barney lived a while longer, but expired in 1912.

WAINO AND PLUTANO. The Wild Men of Borneo. Carte de visite. 4 ¼" x 2 ½:. Charles Eisenmann, NY photographer's imprint. Ca. 1880’s , VG+ cond. (ET.04); $125.

WAINO AND PLUTANOR. The Wild Men of Borneo. Carte de visite. 4 ¼" x 2 ½:. View of the brothers with another man, id unknown. E.B. Gard, Chicago photographer's imprint. Ca. 1860’s , Exhibits diagonal crease, some light soiling of mount, despite issues, has strong contrast and clarity, a handsome view. (ET.05); $165.

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ELI BOWEN, The Legless Wonder. Carte de visite. 4 ¼ x2 ½. Ca. 1860’s cdv has Bowen’s imprinted name on verso (along with wife and child). Newman, Philadelphia photographer's backmark. Mount trimmed slightly top and bottom, o/w good tonality and contrast Vg- F condition (ET21); $125.

ELI BOWEN, The Legless Wonder. Cabinet card, 6 1/2" x 4 ¼. Ca. 1870’s view of Bowen, imprinted name on verso . Newman, Philadelphia photographer's backmark. Some soiling and age toning, retains very good tonality and contrast. (ET.15); $145.

MADAME SHERWOOD, Giant Lady. Carte de visite. 4 ¼” x 2 ½”. Imprinted information on bottom of mount “ 7 feet around the waist, 24 inches around the arm, 675 pounds”. Ca. 1860 cdv. Charles Fredricks, N.Y. photographer’s backmark. Very nice view of this scarcer card, bottom corners clipped. Else VG.(ET.01). $90.

MARY POWERS, Giant Lady. Carte de visite. 4" x 2 ½”. Imprinted information on back of card "The Kentucky Giantess, 26 years old and 782 pounds...". Ca. 1860s cdv. Adams & Mendenhall, Indianapolis, Ind photographer’s backmark. Lightly tinted , exhibits some soiling and light wear, , overall VG.(ET.41). $75.

KATE KEITHLEY, Giant Lady. Carte de visite. 4 ¼” x 2 ½”. Imprinted information on bottom of mount “The Missouri Giantess...6 feet around the waist, 2 feet around the arm, 675 pounds”. Ca. 1860 cdv. Mansfield & Cornwell, St. Louis photographer’s backmark. Moderate soiling to this scarce card, overall G-VG. (ET.65). $75.

COLONEL ROUTH GOSHEN, Giant. Carte de visite. 4 ¼” x 2 ½”. Known as the “Arabian Giant” Purported to be 7’11”, 475 lbs. Ca. 1860’s cdv. Goshen was engaged by Barnum in the first American Museum , and was paired w/ Tom Thumb, and staged pitched battles between the two. He later did the same act with Admiral Dot. Ellison, N.Y.C. photographer backmark. Some light soiling, otherwise G. (ET19). $125.

COLONEL ROUTH GOSHEN, Giant. Carte de visite. 3 3/4” x 2 1/2”. Known as the “Arabian Giant”. Imprinted size, weight and birthplace on bootm.. Ca. 1860’s cdv. Bailey's, N.Y.C. photographer backmark. Not seen this image before, mount trimmed , some light soiling, image exhibits strong contrast and tonality, overall VG-F. (ET.24). $95.

COLONEL ROUTH GOSHEN, Giant. Carte de visite. 4 ¼” x 2 ½”. Known as the “Arabian Giant” Purported to be 7’11”, 475 lbs. Ca. 1870’s cdv. Johnson, N.Y.C. photographer backmark. Some light soiling, t/r corner of image missing, otherwise G. (ET.02). $75.

KAROO THE GIANT. Cabinet card,, 61 /2" x 4 1/2" Though not stated on card, image is of Karoo, at 19years, Height 8ft 3 1/4in Weight 337 1/2 lbs". Perrtz, York, PA photographer's imprint. Light wear, overall Fine. (ET.77); $185.

KAROO THE GIANT. Cabinet card,, 61 /2" x 4 1/2" Pencil notation on back " Karoo, age 19years, Height 8ft 3/4 in Weight 337 1/2 lbs". Perrtz, York, PA photographer's imprint. light soiling and a bit soft, overall VG-Fine. (ET.78); $. SOLD

ANN E LEAK, Armless Wonder. Signed CDV . 1872 . Ann E. Leak pictured with tea set. Autographed by Leak on verso "So you perceive its really true When hands are missing, toes will do. Ann E. Leak Born without arms. Age 30 yrs Georgia Sept 18, 1872" . It was a regular practice of the armless exhibitors, such as she and Charles Tripp to sell cdvs, autographing them to the purchaser. No Photographic backmark. Some minor light soiling, overall VG. (Et.25); $245.

ANN E LEAK, Armless Wonder. Signed CDV . 1871 . Autographed by Leak on verso "Ann E. Leak Born without arms. Zebulon Pike Co. Georgia Age 29 yrs, May 5, 1871" . It was a regular practice of the armless exhibitors, such as she and Charles Tripp to sell cdvs, autographing them to the purchaser. No Photographic backmark. Just a tad light, o/w fine cond. ( Et.26); $215.

BEARDED LADY ANNIE JONES . Carte de visite. 4 ¼" x 2 ½". Pencil inscription on back "Miss Anne Jones Age 16". Charles Eisenmann backmark. A scarce cdv, slightly trimmed top and bottom. o/w VG.Annie married twice, toured Europe and invested her considerable earnings in Real Estate. (Et.27); $200.

"Circassian" women were regularly exhibited during the decades following the Civil War. Exhibitors frequently spun tales of "white slavery," harems, and rescue around the "Circassian" women to enthrall audiences. As the "purest" type of white person, Circassian women were said to be the most beautiful on earth, prized by Turkish sultans for their harems. Though almost all were surprisingly proficient in English, and mysteriously deficient in their knowledge of "Circassia," "Circassian Beauties" became a mainstay of dime museums and side shows until the end of the nineteenth century, attracting white audiences fascinated by the "exotic East" and preoccupied by issues of race.

CIRCASSIAN QUEEN. Carte de visite. 4 ¼" x 2 ½". "Zobude Luti(?) Circassian" period pencil id on verso. Also a period pencil notation in Arabic looking foreign language (but the betting man in me thinks this too was part of the humbug, and just looks exotic enough). E.&H.T. Anthony imprint. Ca. 1860’s ,nice tonality and contrast; Fine cond. (Et.10);$95.

CIRCASSIAN QUEEN CDV. Carte de visite . 4 ¼" x 2 ½". "Zoe Moleke Circassian, age 20years" period pencil id on verso. C Henkel, NYbackmark imprint. Ca. 1870’s , delicately tinted, nice tonality and contrast; Fine cond. (Et.28);$95.

CIRCASSIAN QUEEN CDV. Carte de visite . 4 ¼" x 2 ½". Charles Eisenmann, NY backmark . Ca. 1880’s ,a bit of soiling on mount, overall VG-F Fine cond. (Et.29);$65.

CIRCASSIAN QUEEN CDV. Carte de visite . 4 ¼" x 2 ½". "Florence See age 18yrs Born in Madagasca" period pen id on verso. No imprint. Ca. 1880’s. VG- Fine cond. (Et.30);$75.

TIGHT ROPE WALKER. 11" x 4 3/8" 19th c. broadside for " The Aerial Prince LeRoy", extolling the feats of " the Greatest High Rope Walker and Aerial Gymnast the world has ever known". Exhibits foxing and toning, had been pasted down as some point, and has remnants of affixed ppaper on back. (Et.123); $200.

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