Ringling Brothers - Al Ringling Accounting Ledger Wallet

A small leather-bound ledger, measuring 3.25" x 5", no place, Ca. 1881 to 1888. With entries on a total of 24pp, with a stray 1894 entry and a 1928 entry at the back with a Thanksgiving list of names and numbers. The bulk of the entries used are near the front and back, with blank middle internal pages. The ledger is handwritten and includes many historic and interesting aspects of Al Ringling's Circus, personal affairs, and businesses. Highlights include:

1. An itemized list of the materials bought to build his house in 1881, the cost of room and board, and state and county taxes when the circus traveled.
2. Several house rental notes, including details of who rented and for how long. Includes one 1887 summary of a rental agreement that reads like a contract, along with logged payments.
3. Cost of circus promotion, including postal costs for mailing.
4. Names and addresses of creditors and renters.

The ledger is approximately the same size as a modern men's wallet and would have been incredibly useful to the traveling businessman. It has one internal pocket for papers and cash, along with a small flap to hold a pencil. The light brown tanned leather has been embossed "Al Tingling/Ringling Brothers." Entries vary between pencil, ink, and colored pencil. The ledger has expected wear from use, including rubbing and scratching to the cover. The binding is slightly loose but no pages appear to be missing. Internal pages have varying degrees of toning, soiling, and foxing.

This is a great piece of circus history, worthy of a museum display. Albert Carl "Al" Ringling (1852-1916) was one of seven siblings who helped establish one of the country's greatest touring circuses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He and his brothers, Alf, Otto, Charles, and John, performed their first circus performance under the title, "Old Yankee Robinson and Ringling Brothers Great Double Show" on May 19, 1884.

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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