Courier: P. T. Barnum's Illustrated News, Hartford, Connecticut, May 5, 1880
May 5 1880 (Date manufactured/created)
Promotional newspaper, called a courier, advertising Barnum's show in Hartford, Connecticut, on Wednesday, May 5, 1880. Couriers were used to announce and advertise the arrival of the circus before it was in town. Some were the size of newspapers and many pages long. This courier is titled "P. T. Barnum's Illustrated News" and features a large portrait of Barnum with partial views of the globe at each corner. The globes are titled America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Barnum frequently emphasized the international make-up of his offerings to imply that people would learn about the world by attending his shows. The courier's black and white cover is handsomely designed with the graphic motifs typical of the 1880s. The top margin of the cover was left blank to be printed with the various venues and dates on the cirucs route for the season. Inside, the courier begins with an introduction from Barnum boasting of the new improvements to his show since the previous year. Other pages include extensive descriptions of the various circus acts and attractions, with illustrations. The descriptive text is laden with hyperbole intended to lure people to buy their tickets and see the show. Illustrations include the new exotic animals; the famous performer "Zazel the human cannonball" being launched from a cannon; a group of Zulus and their chief; a group of performing oxen; a parade float pulled by stallions; the great golden organ of Vienna; a trained stag named Landseer; six "Trakene" stallions; additional trained stallions, Madame Nelson and her flight of trained doves; Madam Dockrill and her horse act; acts in the Traveling Museum including sea lions and giants. The back cover includes a depiction of Miss Emma Lake, billed as "America's Side-Saddle Queen."
Barnum is best known for his involvement with the circus that bears his name, but his circus ventures came about when he was in his 60s. The first show was called P. T. Barnum’s Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Circus. Railroads propelled the circus to success, making it easier to reach more locations, and people. Barnum then opened the New York Hippodrome with similar acts. Barnum and his partners invested heavily to make their shows the best, and they were highly profitable despite fierce competition. In the 1880s, he countered some of the competition by forming mergers. Barnum’s show merged with the Great London Show of Cooper, Bailey, and Hutchinson to become the Barnum and London Circus. Various other circus components were also featured or "united" as was frequently stated, all to live up to the name of being the Greatest Show on Earth. Negotiations in 1887 formed the Barnum & Bailey circus. Bailey continued to manage the circus after Barnum's death in 1891, and after Bailey's death in 1906, Ringling Brothers purchased the company. The two circuses were operated separately until 1919, when they were combined to become Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth. After 146 years, the circus gave its last performances in May 2017.
Barnum is best known for his involvement with the circus that bears his name, but his circus ventures came about when he was in his 60s. The first show was called P. T. Barnum’s Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Circus. Railroads propelled the circus to success, making it easier to reach more locations, and people. Barnum then opened the New York Hippodrome with similar acts. Barnum and his partners invested heavily to make their shows the best, and they were highly profitable despite fierce competition. In the 1880s, he countered some of the competition by forming mergers. Barnum’s show merged with the Great London Show of Cooper, Bailey, and Hutchinson to become the Barnum and London Circus. Various other circus components were also featured or "united" as was frequently stated, all to live up to the name of being the Greatest Show on Earth. Negotiations in 1887 formed the Barnum & Bailey circus. Bailey continued to manage the circus after Barnum's death in 1891, and after Bailey's death in 1906, Ringling Brothers purchased the company. The two circuses were operated separately until 1919, when they were combined to become Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth. After 146 years, the circus gave its last performances in May 2017.
MS 0004.109.001