P.T. Barnum Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
P.T. BARNUM
Born: July 5, 1810 in Brethel, Connecticut
Died: April 7, 1891 in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Died: April 7, 1891 in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Barnum (1810-1891, born Phineas Taylor Barnum in Bethel, Connecticut) began his career as a showman in 1835 with his purchase and exploitation of a black woman, Joyce Heth, reputed to have been the nurse of George Washington and to be over 160 years old. He purchased Scudder's American Museum in New York in 1841, adding to it to make his museum one of the most popular shows in the U.S. Barnum retired in 1855 but, because of creditors, resumed his career as showman and museum proprietor in 1857. In 1869, Barnum organized "The Greatest Show on Earth", which opened in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1871. In 1881, he became partners with James A. Bailey of Cooper, Bailey and Company's Circus, forming "Barnum and Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth". In 1907, his circus was sold to Ringling Brothers.
Jocko - Production (August 28, 1865 - September 2, 1865), The Witch of the Black Cavern - Production (August 14, 1865 - August 19, 1865), The Midnight Assault/Love Among the Bonnets - Production (August 7, 1865 - August 12, 1865), The Beauty of Seville/Robert and Bertrand - Production (July 31, 1865 - August 5, 1865), The Green Monster - Production (July 10, 1865 - July 29, 1865), The Ring of Fate - Production (December 26, 1864 - February 11, 1865), Mazulm - Production (July 11, 1864 - August 6, 1864), Mrs. Partington - Other (July 14, 1862 - July 26, 1862), Hop O' My Thumb - Production (April 7, 1862 - May 2, 1862), Sadak and Kalasrade! - Production (March 3, 1862 - April 5, 1862), Ondina! - Production (December 23, 1861 - March 1, 1862)
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P. T. BARNUM Card signed by Barnum. It has a request from an unknown autograph hunter written on verso, asking Barnum to sign it. Signature: "P. T. Barnum", 4¼x3¼ card. Ink note (unknown hand) on verso: "Will Mr. Barnum please write his autograph on the enclosed card." Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810-1891) began his career as a showman in 1835. read more...Sale Price $510.00
$600.00
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P. T. BARNUM Barnum signed this card at his Waldemere mansion in Bridgeport, Connecticut near the end of 1885. Framed in Gallery of History style with a b/w photo of Barnum and nameplate. Signature: "P.T Barnum/Waldemere/Bridgeport Conn/Dec 3d 1885". 3¼x2 card. read more...Sale Price $1,080.00
$1,200.00
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P. T. BARNUM Barnum signed and dated this small white card in 1886. Signatures: "P. T. Barnum/1886". 3¾x2¼, card stock. Barnum (1810-1891, born Phineas Taylor Barnum in Bethel, Connecticut) began his career as a read more...Sale Price $510.00
$600.00
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P.T. BARNUM A letter to an associate regarding photographs of him for sale from his copy of Life magazine Autograph letter signed "P.T. Barnum", 1p, 6x6½. No place, no date. To Mr Hagar or Hentham. In full: "The bearer Mr H.T. read more...Sale Price $1,440.00
$1,600.00
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P. T. BARNUM Barnum handwrote, dated and signed this letter in New York in 1858 to D. H. Humphrey, writing that he will "hasten to comply with your request". Autograph Letter signed: "P. T. Barnum", 1 page, 4¾x3½. New York, 1858 January 8. To D.H. read more...Sale Price $595.00
$700.00
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The great showman will send a bear and hyena that died at his circus' winter quarters to his taxidermist to be mounted or "skeletonized" for display at Tufts' Barnum Museum and mentions Jumbo, the giant elephant that the recipient will preserve less than three years later read more...Sale Price $12,600.00
$14,000.00
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P.T. BARNUM Mentioning Madison Square Garden and his White Elephant Jumbo. ALS: "P.T. Barnum", 1p, 4¼x6¾. Waldemere, Bridgeport, Ct., 1884 January 31. On his embossed monogrammed stationery. To Halden. read more...Sale Price $2,700.00
$3,000.00
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P.T. BARNUM A letter to his friend, saying that him and his wife are stay at the Murray Hill Hotel but that they are both weak and old, "So excuse brevity" Autograph letter signed: "P.T. Barnum", 1p, 5x7¾. New York City, 1886 February 23. read more...Sale Price $1,350.00
$1,500.00
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P.T. BARNUM The showman and performer signed this handwritten letter asking for a referral concerning Julia Embree Autograph Letter Signed: “P.T. Barnum” in black ink on a 5½x7¾ sheet of paper. One page. To Mrs. A.C. Wilson. read more...Sale Price $1,350.00
$1,500.00
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P.T. BARNUM Barnum handwrote, signed and dated this letter to his cousin the Reverend George Emerson from Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1876. In it, he talks about Emerson's upcoming trip to Europe. ALS: "P.T. Barnum", 2 pages, 5x8, front and verso. Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1876 April 7. read more...Sale Price $1,350.00
$1,500.00
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P.T. BARNUM The master showman writes of a visit by his friend Horace Greeley. ALS: "P.T. Barnum", 2½p, 5x8. New York, 1871 May 6. To Mary. In part: read more...Sale Price $3,600.00
$4,000.00
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P. T. BARNUM Barnum handwrote, signed and dated this short letter in 1853 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In it, he writes William C. Bryant that he will "with pleasure accede to your request". Autograph letter signed "P T Barnum". With pencil notations in top corners in unknown hand. read more...Sale Price $1,080.00
$1,200.00
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Barnum handwrote and signed this letter, expressing worry about his finances, from New York in 1856. This letter was written one year after he retired from show business and one year before resuming his career because of his debts; it offers a glimpse into a rare year when Barnum wasn't the most famous huckster and showman in the world. read more...Sale Price $1,350.00
$1,500.00
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Barnum handwrote, signed and dated this letter from Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1886. He wrote this letter to inform E. W. Harral that his family will "with pleasure take an outside bath house for the season". This letter is on imprinted Waldemere stationery, the name of his mansion in Bridgeport and is accompanied by the original mailing envelope. Framed in Gallery of History style. read more...Sale Price $1,620.00
$1,800.00
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Barnum handwrote, signed and dated this letter in 1889, two years before his death, to his partner James Bailey. In it, he discusses taking their Circus to Europe and gripes about "the strain and worry of two sea voyages in winter". read more...Sale Price $3,600.00
$4,000.00
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P.T. BARNUM The famous showman and circus owner pens a letter to his biographer Mr. Bonnelle alluding to a newspaper article and the importance of the press. He also thanks him for his generosity Autograph Letter Signed: “P.T. Barnum” in iron gall ink. 5¾x9. One page. read more...Sale Price $1,350.00
$1,500.00
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Barnum handwrote, signed and dated this letter from Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1872. In it, Barnum tells the recipient that his children have returned safely home after a visit and of the wonderful care they were given while they were away. It's a rare look at Barnum the family man instead of Barnum the showman. read more...Sale Price $1,620.00
$1,800.00
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Barnum handwrote, signed and dated this letter from Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1888 to his grandson "Dear Old Henry", who had moved away. This tender letter contrasts with Barnum's more well-known public persona as a huckster and showman. read more...Sale Price $1,350.00
$1,500.00
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P. T. BARNUM A letter to a friend, asking about his relationship with a Rev. Johnson of Ohio Autograph letter signed: "P. T. Barnum", 1p, 5x8. Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1876 November 5. To "My dear Emerson", his cousin, Reverend George Emerson of Salem, Massachusetts. read more...Sale Price $1,080.00
$1,200.00
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P.T. BARNUM The circus showman writes to Rufus Griswold at Illustrated News, asking him to write an article in praise of his new paper Autograph letter signed: "Truly Yours/P T Barnum", 3p, 4½x7¼. Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1852 December 13. read more...Sale Price $3,600.00
$4,000.00
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P.T. BARNUM A letter from Barnum to a friend, saying that his wife would love to have them as guests after he returns from a trip Autograph letter signed: "P T Barnum", 1p, 5¼x8¼. Home [Bridgeport, Connecticut], no year, but circa 1866, July 2, Monday A.M. read more...Sale Price $2,160.00
$2,400.00
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P. T. BARNUM Barnum signs his name to a fan "Truly yours", and dates it 1869 Autograph note signed: "W N Washburn/Truly yours/P. T. Barnum/New York Feb 3rd 1869", 3¼x1¾ card. Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810-1891) began his career as a showman in 1835. read more...Sale Price $510.00
$600.00
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P. T. BARNUM Barnum handwrote, dated and signed this note in 1860 to let someone know that he will "hasten to comply with your request". Autograph Note signed: "P. T. Barnum", 1p, 3x4. "Museum", April 4, 1860. read more...Sale Price $510.00
$600.00
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P. T. BARNUM The circus showman signs a brief note saying that he doesn't do public speaking "any more" Autograph Note signed: "P T Barnum", 3½x2 card. No place, 1883 April 8. In full: "Quite impossible for me to go out of the house today. I don't do public speaking any more. read more...Sale Price $680.00
$800.00
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P. T. BARNUM Barnum signed and dated this card "Your's" in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1870. Autograph note signed: "Bridgeport Conn/D W Jagger/Your's [illegible]/P. T. Barnum/July 2d 1870", 3¼x1¾ card. read more...Sale Price $510.00
$600.00