Physical object: Illustrated blank journal owned by P. T. Barnum
1840 – 1850 (Date manufactured/created)
Communications Artifact
Embossed leather journal book containing both blank pages and pages with fine engravings, dating to the mid-1800s originally owned by P. T. Barnum. The prints primarily depict scenes of the British Isles but some show trains and railroads, and interior views of ships. The highly decorative red leather cover features an elaborate design embossed in gold. Near the spine on the left side are the letters "PTB," the initials of the book's owner. The back cover is the same but lacking the initials.
Barnum likely acquired the book while he was traveling in the British Isles in the 1840s or 1850s, and perhaps the inscription date refers to the year he got it. Barnum did not write in the journal, however, which suggests the book may have been a gift to him that he felt was "too good to use."
The variations in the color of the paper and other details suggest that customers could select the printed pages from an assortment to make a customized bound book. The Barnum Museum owns two other similar journal books that belonged to Barnum, and that are also blank aside from the illustration pages.
T 2015.040.001