Check: Check from The National Park Bank of New York with image of P.T. Barnum, 1879
October 22 1879 (Date manufactured/created)
Paper Documentary Artifact
3 in H
X
8 in W
Check from The National Park Bank of New York, with a portrait of P.T. Barnum on the left hand side. Although this was a New York bank, "Bridgeport, Conn." is printed at the top as the location of the bank where the account was held. The check number is stamped in red "501" and it is dated October 22, 1879. It is made out to Wm. E. Seely in the amount of $10,000, and appears to have been signed by Barnum's attorney. The initials "PTB" followed by a space, and "JJG Atty" are on the signature line. The numerically written amount is circled in red. In the center of the check, printed in a light gold color that sits behind the primary print information, there is a tax revenue stamp. It is a large diamond shape titled around its borders, "United States Internal Revenue." Two circles, one at the top and one at the bottom points of the diamond, contain the numeral 2. In the center of the diamond, there is a profile portrait of Liberty within an oval frame with "Two Cents" printed on each side. The check was printed by Maverick & Kissinger, 126 Fulton Street, New York.
The National Park Bank was a New York City-based bank founded in 1856 . It was one of the most active in the country, and had a building at 214-218 Broadway across from St. Paul's Church. The location is near where Barnum's first American Museum stood. (The Museum burned in 1865.)
The National Park Bank was a New York City-based bank founded in 1856 . It was one of the most active in the country, and had a building at 214-218 Broadway across from St. Paul's Church. The location is near where Barnum's first American Museum stood. (The Museum burned in 1865.)
EL 1988.019.001