Description:

Barnum's American Museum 1865 Letter, Re: African Americans Attending a Show

2pp (front and back), measuring 8" x 10", dated July 27, 1865, New York, NY. A letter written by H. S. Tiffany, the treasurer of P.T. Barnum's American Museum, addressed to an unknown woman (likely of African American descent) regarding whether persons of color would be permitted to attend an upcoming event at the Winter Garden Theater. Barnum relayed a message through Tiffany, confirming that they are allowed to sit in a designated area. The letter features a beautiful printed engraving depicting the museum's façade and a brief notice asking for donations, possibly in response to the devastating fire which ravaged the building just two weeks prior on July 13th. Expected wear, including darkened handling marks and scattered soiling in places, with evidence of archival restoration along middle crease. Otherwise very good with intriguing connections to the museum's tragic end.

Reads in full:
"Your letter of the 25 last is just received and Mr. Barnum desires me to say in reply that although it has been the rule that gentleman and ladies of the colored race have been debarred from participating in the pleasures of witnessing the play at winter garden yet, during his engagement, there he will allow them to occupy seats in the family circle at the old rate of thirty cents. H.S. Tiffany"

Heralded as one of the most popular attractions of its time, Barnum's American Museum was located at the corner of Broadway, Park Row, and Ann Street in what is now the Financial District of Manhattan. At its peak, the attraction was open fifteen hours a day and boasted as many as 15,000 daily visitors. It first opened its doors on January 1, 1842, when the famed showman purchased what was previously Scudder's American Museum. Throughout its history, the museum's attractions would consist of a zoo, theater, collection of wax sculptures, and of course, a freak show, among other oddities both fake and scientific. However, on July 13, 1865, the building along with parts of its surrounding community would be burned to the ground in what was then considered to be one of New York's most spectacular fires. While the museum would reopen at a nearby location in 1865, that too would burn down in 1868.

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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