BARNUM SENDS A NOTE FROM "MY PRINCIPAL WILD ANIMAL KEEPER - BY WHICH YOU WILL SEE THAT THE TIGER HAS TWO SINGLE AND TWO DOUBLE TEETH BETWEEN THE TUSKS IN ITS UPPER JAW"

PHINEAS T. BARNUM (1810-1891).  Barnum was the most famous showman of his time.  He presented attractions which were enormously popular in their time, such as General Tom Thumb Jenny Lind’s concert tour of America, the Feejee mermaid and Jumbo the elephant.  He co-founded Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus. 

ALS. 1pg. 4 ½” x 7”. October 18, 1886. Bridgeport, Connecticut.  An autograph letter signed “P.T. Barnum” on the letterhead of his mansion Waldemere in Bridgeport.  He wrote to the Editor of the Albany Evening Journal: “Dear Sir, In reply to yours of the 6^th inst, I enclose a note from my principal Wild Animal Keeper – by which you will see that the Tiger has two single and two double teeth between the tusks in its upper jaw.  Truly yours P.T. Barnum”.  It is accompanied by a letter from Hyatt Frost, who was one of Barnum’s employees and worked as an animal importer: “Savannah Ga Oct 16/86 P.T. Barnum Esq – Dear Sir Yours of the 8^th received to day and in reply will say that a Tiger has 2 single and 2 double teeth between the tusks up on its upper jaw.  Yours truly F. Hyatt”.  Both letters have mounting remnants but are in fine condition.  Most unusual Barnum content!