Birth of a Circus Legend
Showman Phineas Taylor “P.T.” Barnum was born on July 5, 1810, in Bethel, Connecticut. Talented at haggling and salesmanship from an early age, Barnum embarked on a variety of business ventures. He owned a general store and newspaper and ran a state lottery, among other things.
Barnum began his showman career in New York City in 1835. He established Barnum’s American Museum that hosted a series of changing acts and curiosities including jugglers, magicians, exotic women, detailed models, wild animals, and daily hot-air balloon rides.
It wasn’t until he was 60 years old that Barnum established his first traveling circus – “P. T. Barnum’s Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan & Hippodrome.” It had several names over the years and eventually became known as the Greatest Show on Earth. Barnum himself joined the show, riding around the tent in a chariot and joining his customers in marveling at his spectacle.
Barnum’s legacy continues today with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which was established in 1907 and remains one of America’s most popular shows.
Click here to add these stamps – and their history – to your collection.
I am enjoying this Day in History feature. Please keep it up.
These posts are great. Hopefully they will come to my inbox each morning with the link. Will the content of these expand to world wide events and personalities?
I love “This Day in History.” Thanks, Don, for adding it to the Mystic website. I join others in hoping that it will become a daily email to all of your customers who are interested in receiving it. Sign me up, if that is the case. Keep up the good work.
I am not inclined to celebrate an organization that enslaved, tortured and profited from God’s helpless creatures. I will celebrate the Circus’ demise but must wait for further human evolution to see that day.
Great series. Keep it going.
I enjoyed the history of the Barnum Circus stamps very much
These are a nice item to add to the stamp collection
What a great site! It is always fun to learn and you give some excellent history to either be reminded of or to learn about. Thanks much!
Hey Alan! The Circus was shut down two years ago.
It’s amazing that a set of stamps can tell a remarkable story of how one man became a circus legend from just a salesman it simply shows how your dreams come true great article Mystic stamps