Barnum Circus Ticket
Artifact ID1981.30681.01a-b
Object Type
Ticket
Maker
Phineas Taylor "P. T." Barnum
(Founder, Barnum & Bailey Circus)
Gifter
Gary H. Zimet
Date
March 14, 1887
Medium
Paper, Ink
Dimensions9 1/2 × 17 in. (24.1 × 43.2 cm)
Physical DescriptionA ticket (.01a) for the Barnum Circus. The ticket is on off-white lined paper. In the upper right corner is a stamp stating "WALDEMERE, P.T. Barnum's Residence, BRIDGEPORT CONN." along with a handwritten note "March 14, 1887, Opening Night Admit Beaners (3) to My Private P.T. Barnum." Also included is a black and white photograph of P.T. Barnum (.01b).Historical NoteP.T. Barnum wrote out this pass for his circus for opening night, March 14, 1887. It reads, "Opening Night, Admit bearers (3) to my private box. P.T. Barnum." The pass is on Waldemere stationary. Waldemere was one of four mansion Barnum built in Bridgeport, CT. The historic document was a gift to President Reagan for his 70th birthday in 1981. The gifter sent it because of President Reagan's interest in both American history and show business.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 6816363)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
Use Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Related LinksAdditional Reagan Library archival holdings available at:
WHORMSubject File Code:GI002 (Gifts to the President) Case File Number(s): 023100 - 023189