Printers Proof (1 results)

Folio. [4 pp (unpaginated)], bifolium printed only on recto of first leaf, verso of second. With large woodcut engraving of the Hippodrome showing chariots and horses signed by E. Purcell (10 x 5.5 in.), woodcut engraved portrait of Barnum, illustrated ads for Macy & Co., and Moseman & Brother Harness manufacturers. Self-printed wrappers (light creasing, minor toning to fore-edges, slight wear), still an excellent copy. First edition, thus, of this exceedingly scarce printer's proof for one of the last shows of the Great Roman Hippodrome performed in New York before it moved to Boston for it's run there. This show opened in New York in the spring of 1874 and ran until August 1, 1874, and its most famous attraction was the Congress of Nations as listed on the first page here which opened its performances. These performances featured primarily equestrian events, but this scheme included national chariots bearing performers reenacting famous rulers ranging from Confucius to Queen Victoria. Barnum had purchased duplicates of the Congress of Monarchs, a pageant created in London by John and George Sanger. He mixed allegory with historical figures, and historical correctness, which proved wildly popular during the touring show's two year run. Edward Purcell (fl. 1860-1885) was an artist and engraver active in Long Island, Brooklyn, and New York. See: Harry Ransom Center, Univ. of Texas at Austin, Circus Collection, Drawer 1 Folder Series 1.20; P.T. Barnum's Great Roman Hippodrome, Circus Historical Society (2005); Adams, E Pluribus Barnum: The Great Showman and the Making of U.S. Popular Culture, pp. 166-170.