Historic Newspapers: P.T. Barnum

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington D.C., August 22 , 1844

* General Tom Thumb as a young boy
* P.T. Barnum circus attraction

Page 3 has a report about "Tom Thumb At Paris" that reads,… more

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D. C., April 19, 1847

* General Tom Thumb European tour
* Phineas T. - P.T. Barnum attraction

  The front page has a nice article concerning General Tom Thumb… more

THE HOME JOURNAL, New York City, July 1, 1848

* Jenny Lind... The Swedish Nightingale
* Opera singer of eventual P.T. Barnum fame

Page 3 has a small heading, "Jenny Lind", which includes a… more

SUNDAY TIMES, September 28, 1851  In addition to the phenomenal masthead, page 3 has an ad for "Barnum's American Museum". Another ad is for a performance by Catherine Hayes at Tripler Hall, on her… more

THE UNION DEMOCRAT, Manchester, New Hampshire, Sept. 7, 1852
* General Tom Thumb - dwarf
* P.T. Barnum circus attraction
The front page has: "Barnum and Tom Thumb" which includes a letter from… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Jan. 1, 1853  This is the very first issue of what would become a short-lived publication which had "P.T. Barnum, Special Partner" involved in its publication, as noted… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, 1853   Phineas T. Barnum was the co-owner (see photos) of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly" which would… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, 1853   Phineas T. Barnum was the co-owner (see photos) of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly" which would… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Jan. 8, 1853

* Nauvoo, Illinois - Mormons
* Washington monument

A short-live newspaper which preceded the first issue of "Harper's Weekly". This is the volume 1,… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Jan. 22, 1853 

* Published by P. T. Barnum

Among the prints are: "Captain Ericsson Explaining His Invention to the Editors of New York" "Floating Mortar" "Astor… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Feb. 5, 1853  The front page has an illustration of: "Almeda De Paule, Havana". A halfpg. inside has a view of: "Montpelier, Vermont." and another halfpg. shows:… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Feb. 12, 1853  Phineas T. Barnum was the co-owner of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly", the latter two… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Feb. 12, 1853  Phineas T. Barnum was the co-owner of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly", the latter two… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Feb. 26, 1853 

* Published by P. T. Barnum

P.T. Barnum was the co-owner (see photos) of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated"… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Feb. 26, 1853  P.T. Barnum was the co-owner of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly" these latter two… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, 1853 

* Published by P. T. Barnum

A lot of six different issues of this scarce title, all from the first 6 months of its existence.
P.T. Barnum was the co-owner of… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, March 5, 1853  Formatted much like Harper's Weekly, but published 4 years previous to the more famous title. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication as… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, March 19, 1853  P.T. Barnum was the co-owner of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly". These latter two… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, March 19, 1853  P.T. Barnum was the co-owner of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly". These latter two… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, March 19, 1853  P.T. Barnum was the co-owner of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly". These latter two… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, April 9, 1853  Formatted much like Harper's Weekly, but published 4 years previous to the more famous title. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication as… more

THE ILLUSTRATED NEWS New York, April 16, 1853  The cover has: "Arthur Spring - The Philadelphia Murderer", with related text regarding the murder which contains considerable discussion regarding… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, April 23, 1853  Large front page illustration: "Bull & Bear Fight, New Orleans", plus a related report. Inside page has two small illus: "Girard Bank" and "Girard… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, April 30, 1853  Formatted much like Harper's Weekly, but published 4 years previous to the more famous title. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication as… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, May 7, 1853 

* Rare Jewish synagogue illustration
* Congregation Chasam Sopher
* Judaica - Jews - Judaism

Formatted very much like Harper's Weekly although… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, May 21, 1853  Phineas T. Barnum was the co-owner of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly", the latter two… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, May 21, 1853  Phineas T. Barnum was the co-owner of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly", the latter two… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, May 21, 1853  Phineas T. Barnum was the co-owner of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly", the latter two… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, June 4, 1853  Formatted much like Harper's Weekly, but published 4 years previous to the more famous title. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication as… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, June 11, 1853  Formatted much like Harper's Weekly, but published 4 years previous to that more famous title. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication, as… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, June 18, 1853  P.T. Barnum was the co-owner (see photos) of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly". This effort… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, June 18, 1853  P.T. Barnum was the co-owner (see photos) of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly". This effort… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Sept. 24, 1853  Formatted much like Harper's Weekly, but published 4 years previous to the more famous title. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication as… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Oct. 8, 1853  Formatted much like Harper's Weekly, but published 4 years previous to the more famous title. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication as… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Oct. 15, 1853  Formatted much like Harper's Weekly, but published 4 years previous to the more famous title. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication as… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Oct. 22, 1853  Formatted much like Harper's Weekly, but published 4 years previous to the more famous title. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication as… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Nov. 12, 1853  Formatted much like Harper's Weekly, but published 4 years previous to the more famous title. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication as… more

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Nov. 26, 1853  Formatted much like Harper's Weekly, but published 4 years previous to the more famous title. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication as… more

INDEPENDENT PRESS, Lawrenceburgh, Indiana, Sept. 13, 1854 On the ftpg. under Auto-Biography Of Barnum is an excerpt from an early chapter about his first visit to New York. Takes two columns. Lite… more

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, April 25, 1856 (due to printing error the year is missing on page 1 but appears at the top of pages 2-8) 

* Bleeding Kansas
* Missouri border invasion
* War on slavery
* P.T.… more

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, May 13, 1856  

* Bleeding Kansas
* Missouri border invasion
* War on slavery
* P.T. Barnum

Pages 4 & 5 contain a wealth of reporting concerning the slavery vs.… more

NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, June 3, 1858

* The African slave trade
* P.T. Barnum's letter to the editor

The front page has an article headed: "The Slave-Trade And The American Flag". See image for… more

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, April 7, 1862 

* CSS Manassas ironclad ship

War reports are found on pages 4 & 5 with column heads including: "The War For The Union" 'The Abolition of Slavery in the District" "The… more

WEEKLY PRESS & TIMES, Nashville, Tennessee, Nov. 26, 1865  

* Post Civil War reconstruction
* re. John "Grizzly" Adams death

Various reports from shortly after the end of the city, much relating to… more

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 11, 1866

* "The Black Crook" - opening premiere delayed (2-days)
* Considered the first full-fledged Broadway musical
* Niblo's Garden, New York City

Page 7 has an… more

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 21, 1868  The prime feature of this issue is the set of full-page images related to the fire at P.T. Barnum's American Museum: 'Burning of Barnum's Museum - the… more

HARPER'S WEEKLY, June 3, 1871 (with Supplement)
Nearly fullpg: 'Land, Ho! Scene on Board an Emigrant Ship'. 'German Peace Jubilee in Philadelphia'. Small illus. "The Fishery Question" by Thomas… more

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 29, 1873  Full ftpg. political cartoon by Nast: "The Game of Fox and Geese; or Legal Trial of the Period". Full page "Mardi Gras in New Orleans--Grand Tableau of the… more

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, August, September, 1874 See the inset for the nice, nearly half column ad for "P. T Barnum's Great Roman Hippodrome" that includes a nice woodcut of Mr. Barnum. Ad appears… more