Circus, Sideshow & Oddities

Bailey, George F (1818—1903). Autograph Letters Signed by George F. Bailey. New York/Danbury, 1867. Two autograph letters by the famous circus showman, a rival and later partner of P.T. Barnum, but no relation to Barnum’s later partner, James A. Bailey. Both letters addressed to the same recipient, a W.E. “Ben” Willbanks, the first a four-line note imploring Willbanks to “come on and try and save me the difference between us so come.” The second letter expressing his desire to find out whether a mutual acquaintance will “come and work on Animals for me this summer at thirty dollars per month.” Both signed “G.F. Bailey.” With mailing covers, the latter having an engr. portrait of Barnum. Also includes an 1860 leather-bound pocket diary belonging to Willbanks, whose notes indicate he was a bootmaker.