Barnum, P.T, Struggles and Triumphs, or Forty Years Recollections, Inscribed and Signed

Description

A specially produced edition of the Autobiography of “The Greatest Showman.” Inscribed, Signed, and Dated from Waldemere, Oct. 9, 1874:  “To my ancient Friend Emil Guillaudeu Esq. With Kind Regards of the Author.”

Emile Guillaudeu was the head taxidermist at the Scudder Museum in New York City. Barnum purchased the Scudder Museum and changed it to the Barnum’s American Museum. We usually think of the Barnum museum as a precursor to Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum-full of fakes and chicanery-but the Barnum museum contained important historical items-both natural and manmade.

As the only Scudder employee to stay on when Barnum opened his museum, Guillaudeu would have been the longest-tenured employee at Barnum. Guillaudeu also enjoyed a bump in popularity as an important character in Stacy Carlson’s 2011 novel, Among the Wonderful. 

Very good; tight; elaborate gilt spine lettering and image of Barnum quite clear; mild rubbing; lt. foxing.

Barnum, P. T.  STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS; OR FORTY YEARS’ RECOLLECTIONS.  Buffalo, NY:  1874.  Author’s Edition, 864p.; frontis., illus.