Ticket: "M'lle Jenny Lind's Grand Concert"
1850 – 1851 (Date manufactured/created)
Paper Documentary Artifact
Ticket for M'lle [Mademoiselle] Jenny Lind's Grand Concert printed in black ink on red cardstock, dating to either 1850 or 1851, with a decorative border around the text. This ticket dates from Jenny Lind’s immensely successful American tour from 1850 to 1851. It is unknown which concert this ticket was issued for, however the red color indicates it was made after Barnum instituted a color coded system of seating to help manage the large crowds who came to hear the famed soprano, popularly known as "The Swedish Nightingale." P. T. Barnum's embossed seal appears in the lower left corner over the text that reads "admit one." On the right lower corner is his signature. In the lower margin, is the name and address of the printer: "Van Norden & Amerman, Printers, 60 William street, New York." A statement on the reverse side advises the ticket holder to buy his or her program before sitting down, since "it is impossible to supply the same after the audience are seated," and noting that "The only AUTHORIZED EDITION is sold in the entrance and in the house."
Lind arrived in New York City on September 11, 1850 for a year-long tour of North America. At the time, Lind was relatively unknown in the United States since few Americans were familiar with opera, but Barnum heavily promoted her in advance of her arrival, creating high demand for concert tickets, some of which were auctioned at very high prices. Manufacturers quickly capitalized on the public's adoration of Lind and produced innumerable consumer products bearing her likeness or name; the desire for all things "Jenny" was called "Lind-mania."
Lind arrived in New York City on September 11, 1850 for a year-long tour of North America. At the time, Lind was relatively unknown in the United States since few Americans were familiar with opera, but Barnum heavily promoted her in advance of her arrival, creating high demand for concert tickets, some of which were auctioned at very high prices. Manufacturers quickly capitalized on the public's adoration of Lind and produced innumerable consumer products bearing her likeness or name; the desire for all things "Jenny" was called "Lind-mania."
T 2009.041.001