Physical object: Illustrated blank journal owned by P. T. Barnum
1845 – 1855 (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 such as castles and views of towns in the British Isles, although the first illustration shows one of Queen Victoria's dogs, a deerhound named Hector. The highly decorative brown cover features an elaborate design embossed in gold. At the bottom are the letters "PTB," the initials of the book's owner. The back cover is the same but lacking the initials. The inside cover includes a bookplate that reads "Ex Libris Wilson Marshall." Marshall was married to Barnum's granddaughter, Jessica Barnum Seeley.
Barnum likely acquired the book while he was traveling in the British Isles in the 1840s or 1850s. 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 paper and other details (e.g., the dog illustration page showing lines of prior folding), 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.
Barnum likely acquired the book while he was traveling in the British Isles in the 1840s or 1850s. 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 paper and other details (e.g., the dog illustration page showing lines of prior folding), 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 2015.041.001