Search Results: Circus from Charles Agvent

Danbury, CT, 1889. First Edition. Wraps. About Fine. Scarce miniature book (1-3/4" x 2-1/4") in printed and stapled light blue wraps with an illustration on the rear cover; 16 pages plus covers. Illustrated with several cartoonish vignettes.

Bridgeport, CT, 30 January 1877. Letter. Scattered toning and soiling, small tear to top, a couple partial fold separations. Very Good. A two-page letter on the front and verso of a 5-1/8" x 8" sheet with a blue ink stamp of Barnum addressed to an unknown recipient regarding employment and SIGNED as "P. T. Barnum." In part: "You are declining the American tour…. My respected father-in-law is I fear rather too timid. My son-in-law … filled the position of traveling Treasurer 4 or 5 years without inquiry, and hundreds are doing the same every year. We think it is a most healthy calling. It is lively, busy & exciting, but not sickening nor killing. My partners would only have allowed $25 per week & I should have paid the other $15 from my own pocket for the sake of having you see if the business would suit you, and also see if an opening could be made for you whereby you could gain an independence. The disappointment to me is not at all serious on my account—more so on yours. But it is all for the… Read More

New York: Laurence J. Gomme, 1916. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine, lacking the uncommon dustwrapper. Cloth-backed boards.

Buffalo: Courier Company, 1889. Early Edition. Hardcover. Some foxing to preliminaries, including the inscribed page but the writing is dark and clear. About Fine. One of several editions of one of the most famous American autobiographies by one of the world's most sensational entrepreneurs. This is a special copy in a full black morocco leather publisher's presentation binding with gilt decorations on the spine and Barnum's gilt signature on the front cover, gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt; 360 pages. Illustrated with 43 engravings. This copy is INSCRIBED and SIGNED by the author on the front blank: "To/Miss Jeanie Smith/with author's good wishes/P. T. Barnum" and dated London 1 February 1890. We are not sure who Jeanie Smith was, but alas, the inscription is too early to have been "the Half Girl" who married Al Tomaini, the 8' 8" giant.

Buffalo: Courier Company, 1878. Hardcover. Minor fraying to spine tips and corners. Very Good. Original cloth; 324 pages. Illustrated with engravings. One of several editions of one of the most famous American autobiographies by one of the world's most sensational entrepreneurs. This edition has a new introduction and preface by Barnum. A compliments slip with Barnum's printed signature is tipped to the title page. This copy is INSCRIBED and SIGNED by the author "To my friend/Doctor W B Hurd/with kind regards/P. T. Barnum/Waldemere July 28th 1881/Bridgeport Conn."