Photograph: P. T. Barnum and great-grandson Henry Rennell, ca. 1887
Part of BM-MSS 002 box 3
1886 – 1887 (Date manufactured/created)
6.5 in H
X
4.25 in W
Photograph of P. T. Barnum and his great-grandson, Henry Hurd Rennell, taken in a studio with a painted background. Barnum, in his late seventies, is seated in a rustic-style chair apparently made to resemble a large rock, and is wearing a three-piece suit with a light color top hat. Young Henry Rennell, about three years old, stands in front of him, dressed in a sailor suit, complete with tan o'shanter hat. The cabinet card photograph was taken by E. C. Betts Photographic Art Studio, located at 356 Main Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The photograph is undated, but based on the birth year of Rennell (1884) the photograph is estimated to date from 1887.
Henry Rennell was the son of P.T. and Charity Barnum's granddaughter Helen Barnum Hurd Rennell (Mrs. Frank Rennell). Helen was named after her mother, P. T. and Charity Barnum's second daughter. The Barnums had four daughters, with three surviving to adulthood: Caroline (b. 1833), Helen (b. 1840), and Pauline (b. 1846). The third daughter, Frances, died in 1844 when she was about two years old. Caroline, Helen, and Pauline all married and had children, whom Barnum doted upon and eagerly had photos taken of - and with.
Henry Rennell was the son of P.T. and Charity Barnum's granddaughter Helen Barnum Hurd Rennell (Mrs. Frank Rennell). Helen was named after her mother, P. T. and Charity Barnum's second daughter. The Barnums had four daughters, with three surviving to adulthood: Caroline (b. 1833), Helen (b. 1840), and Pauline (b. 1846). The third daughter, Frances, died in 1844 when she was about two years old. Caroline, Helen, and Pauline all married and had children, whom Barnum doted upon and eagerly had photos taken of - and with.
EL 1989.033.001