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PTB Letters (#69) A Correct Account of a Catastrophe

A Correct Account of a Catastrophe

As we are now within the last fifty pages of Barnum’s letters in the copybook, (not counting several of Barnum’s letters to the Atlas newspaper), I am on the lookout for information that brings us closer to conclusions on the storylines that have taken shape over the past sixteen months of blog posts. Continue reading “PTB Letters (#69) A Correct Account of a Catastrophe”

PTB Letters (#67) Names and Illusions

Names and Illusions

It’s a thrill when a little historical detective work pays off, and this week I’ve had the good fortune to find the identity of the “Mr. Miller” with whom P. T. Barnum corresponded in the winter of 1846.  And—like magic (+ research)—this opened the door to another storyline: Barnum’s connections with illusionists!  Continue reading “PTB Letters (#67) Names and Illusions”

PTB Letters (#66) My Character and Peculiarities So Correctly Portrayed

My Character and Peculiarities So Correctly Portrayed

Discovering last week that a “bundle” of Barnum’s February 1846 letters in the copybook appear after the letters written in March was a surprise, rather like finding that a large handful of jigsaw puzzle pieces have been separated from the box, and then realizing the gaps in the puzzle you’ve been assembling could have been filled in weeks ago had these pieces been in the box. Continue reading “PTB Letters (#66) My Character and Peculiarities So Correctly Portrayed”