Description: Barnum Phineas

P.T. Barnum ALS with Possible Jenny Lind U.S.A. Tour Association

1p ALS inscribed overall and signed by American showman Phineas T. Barnum (1810-1891) as "P.T. Barnum" at lower right. Written at "Langham Hotel" on July 22, 1877. In purple ink on custom stationery, with Barnum's "P.T.B." monogram appearing at upper left, and his home address of "Waldemere, Bridgeport, Ct." crossed out at upper right. The watermarked cream paper has a mourning band, since Barnum's daughter Pauline T. Seeley (1846-1877) had died three months earlier, in April. The inner pages are blank. Expected light paper folds, and minor mounting traces on last page, else near fine. 4.5" x 7.25". Ex Ray V. Denslow (see biography below.)

In full, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

"My dear Benedict



In my great press for time here I have postponed calling on you till it is now too late, which I much regret. I leave tomorrow A.M. for Southport Lancashire where I remain till Aug 4t + then sail. Hope to see you here next year I hope you are well, as I am Truly Yours P.T. Barnum."

P.T. Barnum described this trip in his biography, How I Made Millions: The Life of P.T. Barnum (New York: G.W. Dillingham, 1888). During his 8-week-long tour of England during the summer of 1877, Barnum gave numerous lectures in London, Liverpool, Bolton, and Southport, and visited with his many friends. He wrote, "I was glad to meet many of my old friends in England after an absence of eighteen years. I have as many personal friends in London as in the city of New York" (p. 421). This busy social schedule did not include poor Benedict, though, as we know from this letter. Meanwhile, Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth was in the middle of its Midwestern circuit.

It is probable that Barnum's correspondent, here addressed only as "Benedict", could have been Sir Julius Benedict (1804-1885). The German-born musician had been Jenny Lind's principal conductor and piano accompanist during her 1850-1852 tour of the United States contracted by Barnum. Under the terms of Barnum's lucrative 2-year contract, Lind earned $1,000 per night for up to 150 performances. Lind's 18-month-long tour caused widespread "Lindmania" and enriched Barnum beyond his wildest imaginings.

Provenance

Ray V. Denslow (1885-1960), a fourth generation Freemason, and internationally renowned Masonic historian, having written over 20 full volumes and 62 booklets on Masonic subjects. He held extensive positions as a Freemason over his lifetime including Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Missouri and as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Missouri. Perhaps his greatest national honor was that of serving as General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, from 1942-46. He was Grand Master of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 1949; Grand Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1943; Grand Chancellor of the Grand College of Rites; Great Prior of the Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte, U.S.A. in 1952; and Grand Abbot of the Society of Blue Friars at the time of his death. He held almost 100 honorary memberships in Masonic groups stretching from France to the Philippines.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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