Beschreibung:

Papers of A.D. Bartlett, Superintendent of London Zoo, relating to the sale by him of Jumbo the Elephant to Phineas T. Barnum in 1882, comprising: (i) Autograph letter signed by Barnum, to A.D. Bartlett, enquiring about the possibility of the sale ("...My Manager Bailey called you over my name asking price for your tall elephant... Our Agent Warner writes that your elephant is so nervous it would be impossible to get him alive to New York. This may be correct, but I don't like the word 'impossible' and I fancy that with care, watchfulness, kind treatment and plenty of chains we could land him in New York... If you will kindly write us the lowest sum in cash that will buy him, also your ideas about his temper, age, &c if you conclude to sell him, I shall feel obliged..."), and sending best wishes ("...I am quite well and cheerful, as I sincerely hope you are..."), 2 pages, 8vo, slight staining, especially on blank verso, Waldemere, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 14 December 1881 (ii) Autograph letter signed by Barnum, to Barlett's son Clarence, Assistant Superintendent at the zoo, written after the sale ("...Through your untiring exertions in aiding us to remove Jumbo from the Zoological Gardens, I am in a large degree indebted for the privilege of exhibiting in the United States the great Elephantine wonder which is now so well known throughout the civilized world...") and sending him a watch [not present], 3 pages, 8vo, autograph envelope, some staining, Waldemere, 26 May 1882 (iii) Presentation stirling bowl with serving spoon and fork, the base engraved: 'A.D. Bartlett. From His Friend/ P.T. Barnum/ June 1st 1882', chased with Gilded Age motifs in oriental taste, 780 mm. high x 2250 mm. long [see the associated letter in the Christian Fechner Magic Collection, Swann Galleries, 27 October 2005, lot 2054022] (iv) Autograph letter signed by the African explorer Sir Samuel Baker, to Mr Bartlett, about Jumbo ("...I thank you very much for your kindness in sending me these beautiful photos of the African Jumbo - I send them to Messrs Macmillan & Co who will have them engraved, and take the greatest care of them; after completion of the drawing they will return them to you..."), 2 pages, 8vo, second leaf laid down, Sandford Orleigh, 19 November 1889 (v) Album compiled by the Bartlett family, including autograph letters etc., mostly to A.D. and Clarence Bartlett, by P.T. Barnum (proposing to call in on London Zoo, 10 October 1873, on 'Barnum's Great Museum Menagerie and Circus' headed paper), Sir Clements Markham (about Scott's 1901-4 expedition: "Mr Barrow says that you will kindly let us see the dogs for the Antarctic Expedition", 5 July [1901]), Sir Richard Owen (recommending a taxidermist), Sir George Grove ("...it gave me great distress not to be able to come to your father's funeral...What a good, delightful, man he was..."), Phil May, Lillie Langtry (signed card), and others