Title: Struggle and Triumphs, P.T. Barnum
Volumes: 1
Publisher: The Courier Company Printers, Buffalo
Date: 1889
Binding: This book comes from the estate of P. T. Barnum and is signed by his executor within the estate stamp. Rebound half black morocco over marbled board, with five raised ribs and six compartments. Title is gilt, no patterning.
Page decoration: 43 steel engraved illustrations
Signature: Benjamin Fish, executor Barnum estate
Number of pages: 360
Provenance: Dutchess County Estate
Size: H. 8.25x W. 5.75x D. 1.25"
Weight: 1lbs 7.1 oz
Condition: Pages 335-341 have slight spotting and tearing and creasing in the upper corners. Cover and pages are in otherwise good condition, tightly bound and legible.Meta: Show Business, Circus, P.T. Barnum
History: A man of show business, Barnum was known equally as an entertainer and a crook by those who knew him and knew of him. Misattributed with the quote, "There's a sucker born every minute," it was actually used in reference to Barnum's manipulation of the public's desire for entertainment. While he promoted hoaxes and used intentional deceptions to abuse public expectation in order to "fill [his own] coffers," Barnum is most widely known for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Despite what his competitors tried to claim, Barnum was a philanthropist and gave charitably to many organizations. Before his death, he penned his autobiography: Struggles and Triumphs. This copy has been retrieved directly from his Estate, including his signature in the opening pages.