[ENTERTAINMENT]. A silver boatswain's whistle presented to Sylvester Bleeker by the "Dramatic Company of the American Museum, New York, July 10 1852.
5 1/2 in. silver whistle with attached 20 1/2 in. chain (some light tarnishing to whistle). Engraved on one side: "A Testimonial of Esteem Presented to S. Bleeker, Esqr. By the Dramatic Company of the American Museum New York, July 10 1852."

Sylvester Bleeker, a friend and agent of P. T. Barnum, most notably oversaw the management of the world tour of the Tom Thumb Company, including Charles S. Strattons, M. Lavinia Warren, George Washington Morrison Nutt ("Commodore Nutt"), and Minnie Warren. He authored a book about the tour, entitled General Tom Thumb's Three Year Tour Around the World. He also worked at various times as an actor, promoter, stage manager, writer, and museum superintendent. He managed many aspects of Barnum's "American Museum" while it was in business.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.