Image of a white tiger sitting with three playful cubs in a four-sheet poster with text advertising featured animals from the show; with date information for a May 14, 1851, show in Reading, Pennsylvania. 4-sheet poster; date based on item text. “From J.H. & F.F. Farwell’s United States Mammoth Steam [Cy]linder Job Printing Establishment, No. 15 Spruce Street, New-York.”—text, bottom margin, centered. “Will Exhibit at Reading on the 14th day of May 1851. Admission 25 Cents. Children under 9 years of age, half-price. Doors open at 1-2 and and [sic] 6-12 o’clock,--- Performances at 2 and 7, P.M.”--text on poster. “Splendid young elephant! Abdallah! / Who was importated at an enormous expense from the Tonquin Empire expressly for Turner & Co. (as described in Payne’s Universal History The manners and customs of the singular race who inhabit this Heathen land have until lately been a sealed book … Performing Animals! Which formerly belonged to the celebrated Van Amburgh, … American lion and lioness! … South American Lioness! … Brazilian Ocelot! The only one ever exhibited in this country, … Two huge Mexican black bears! … Spotted Hyena! … South American Tiger! … splendid leopard! … Ichneumon … Trained ponies and monkeys … This collection offers the greatest inducements to the naturalist and philosopher! To study the wonderful works of nature, which has ever been seen in the United States, and teaches him in a language not to be misunderstood to ‘Look thro’ nature up to Nature’s God.’”—text, excerpted from poster.
Type
image
Extent
1 lithograph : color printed ; overall 297.18 x 105.41 cm (117 x 41 1/2 in.)
A. Turner & Co’s combined menagerie and circus Advertising--Circus Animals--Pictorial works Circus--United States Circus animals--Pictorial works Tiger--Pictorial works A. Turner and Company Lithographs--Color--1850-1875. (gmgpc) Circus posters--1850-1875. (gmgpc)
Place
Reading (Pa.)
Source
Jay T. Last Collection Entertainment Large Size Circus The Jay T. Last Collection of Graphic Arts and Social History, Huntington Digital Library
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