"Skinner" may be Charles A. Skinner: Universalist minister, and a friend of Barnum's. I don't understand the "American Museum" reference. Barnum's first American Museum burnt down in 1865. His second burnt down in 1868, two years before this letter. The American Museum of Natural History was founded around this time, but I don't think there's a connection. I managed to find a letter sold in 2015, which looks like a precursor to this one. The other letter appears to read:
Dear Skinner Above you have my note for $1000 for CT ... fund. When the proper time comes to gather in the shares I will send note or cash for my subscription towards CT quota of Centenary Fund. I will pay above interest annually & can very likely pay the principal in course of a year. Please send receipt of above as applying towards my subscription. Truly P.T. Barnum Feb 11 1870 My letter may be the follow-up, accompanying Barnum's principal payment to the fund. While I can't easily find a record of Barnum's donations for the year, I was able to find a record of interest payments to the Universalist General Convention (published 1871 in Minutes of the Universalist Convention) that may be connected. Phineas Taylor "P.T." Barnum was an American politician and businessman, today best known for his legacy as a showman, and as founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus - coining the term "The Greatest Show on Earth." He's often associated with hucksters and hoaxes, having promoted things like the "Fiji mermaid," and sideshows featuring famous performers like Chang and Eng (a/k/a the Siamese Twins), and Charles Stratton (a/k/a General Tom Thumb). P.T. Barnum suffered a stroke in 1890 during a circus performance, passing away in Bridgeport, CT on April 7, 1891.
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AuthorA blog documenting autographs as they enter my collection - usually with some extra information and a brief biographical statement. Archives
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