BARNUM Phineas Taylor (1810 1891) Autograph Letter Signed

Sale 2054 - Lot 22

Price Realized: $ 2,070

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 700 - $ 1,000

BARNUM Phineas Taylor (1810-1891). Autograph Letter Signed, to A. D. Bartlett, thanking him for his "valuable services" in securing Jumbo the elephant from the Zoological Gardens. One page, 8vo, with the integral blank leaf; on Waldemere, Bridgeport letterhead. Bridgeport, 26 May 1882.

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Letter including important content regarding Barnum's most memorable attraction, Jumbo the elephant. Barnum purchased Jumbo from the London Zoological Gardens in 1882 for $10,000. In the present letter he thanks Bartlett and his son for their efforts "in securing for public exhibition the greatest attraction of modern times." At seven tons, Jumbo did indeed become Barnum's biggest attraction. Unfortunately for Jumbo, he died three years later after being struck by a train.