ALS, one page, 4.5 x 6.75, personal letterhead, June 28, 1882. Barnum writes from London to Henry Ashley, “Amusement editor New York Clipper.” In full: “My partner J. L. Hutchinson cables me from Boston that our show receipts there the first six days were $74,000. I have written you a letter by my agent Mr. J. R. Davis wherein I have left the amount blank. Mr. Davis will see my account books and the … book-keeper and will insert in my letter the exact amount to a penny. I trust you will willingly place the facts on record in your columns for future reference, as nothing like it was ever heard of before.” A hint of mild toning and soiling and minor blot to one letter of text, otherwise fine condition. The most notable event on Barnum’s 1882 trip to England was his purchase of Jumbo the elephant from the London Zoo for the sum of $10,000. After his arrival in America, Jumbo’s popularity outstripped that of many of Barnum’s celebrated human “attractions,” and some twenty million fans viewed the elephant before he was struck by a train and killed in Canada 1885. Never one to waste an opportunity (or an investment), Barnum had Jumbo stuffed, allowing the elephant to continue “touring” with the circus. LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
