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P. T. Barnum Ledger Discovered on eBay

P. T. Barnum Ledger Discovered on eBay

It is not often that a museum is able to get a detailed glimpse into hidden aspects of its origins. The Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, CT. is now doing just that, having acquired an original handwritten ledger from an eBay auction recently. The ledger provides details of all the original donations given to the museum when it opened in February of 1893 under the name the Barnum Institute for the Fairfield County Historical Society, less than two years after P. T. Barnum’s death. When Barnum died, he left $150,000 for the construction of the museum building, which originally also housed the Bridgeport Scientific Society and the Fairfield County Historical Society. In recent years the museum exhibits have been expanded to cover three floors that detail the life of P.T. Barnum and the town of Bridgeport in which he built many of the buildings.

To say that the ledger was a super find is an understatement for Kathleen Maher, Executive Director/Curator for the Barnum Museum. “We were not, in fact aware of the existence of the ledger,” stated Ms. Maher. The winning bid was $300, purchased from the seller, Nest Egg Auctions of Meriden, CT. Added Ms. Maher, “We really don't have any idea how it made its’ way up to Meriden...we're just happy its’ home!” Given that the museum closed in the 1930s, it was likely sold then.

Besides being a testament to the great showman, The Barnum Museum contains numerous exhibits that detail the early history of Bridgeport, of which Barnum was mayor at one time. Among his dubious pursuits in promoting fake acts that gained him the title of “Prince of Humburgs,” he was also a master entrepreneur and promoter of his time,whether it be his circus, museums, theatres, aquarium (he first one in America), author of several books, philanthropist, and real estate developer during his life.

His first museum was located in New York back in 1841. After an arsonist burned it in 1865, another was built across town. It too burned in 1868. Following this, he decided at 61 to pursue his traveling circus to entertain the masses, which would become billed as the “Greatest Show on Earth.”

Continued Ms. Maher, “As we are only just beginning the assessment of the ledger, there are just a few things that we've discovered at this point.  Notably, the Charles Dickens (coat) that still exists in the collection, Civil War playing cards, and references to Mrs. Barnum's donations.”

“Not only is this a significant artifact in its own right, but it’s a factual resource on our collections that have been here for over 100 years,” she said. “We found the entry documenting Charles Dickens’ coat, entries on Civil War playing cards, all sort of things. It’s a primary resource that is invaluable to the museum since it provides supporting documentation for our collections.” Some of the more interesting exhibits are a 1,000 square foot replica of a five-ring circus, with 3,000 carved figures, and an Egyptian mummy that is estimated to be 4,000 years old.. The oddest exhibit that literally takes the cake would be just that, a piece of cake from Tom Thumb's wedding when he married in 1863.

As the contents of the ledger unfold, there is another mystery that remains. From an inscription written in the ledger, it references another ledger that existed detailing the collection of the Bridgeport Scientific Society. Maybe it will show up as an auction listing. P. T. Barnum would be amused by this thing called the Internet.

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