The Illusion of Truth
Some names just stand out. Like P. T. Barnum’s. You instantly think circuses, strange people and “There's a sucker born every minute.” But you never think playing cards.
Recently I have been going through New York City Business directories compiling a list of playing card companies of the 19th century there. While doing so, I came across this entry for Playing Card Companies of 1886; “Barnum & Co. Cards 169 William Street P. T. Barnum”. The famous P. T. Barnum made playing cards? 1886 was a time that he and James Bailey had split up their circus for a few years. Could it really be him?
I checked the New York City Directory for 1886 and it also said “Barnum, Phineas T Cards 20 William”. That’s him, Phineas Taylor Barnum. Looking backward in the directories I found that since the early 1870s he had been in the card business in New York. Even the 1880 New York Federal Census shows his occupation as “Card Manufacturer”. And a card advertising his business has his factory being on Ann street. P. T. Barnum's famous American Museum was located at the corner of Broadway and Ann Street in New York City until it burned down in 1868.
Recently I have been going through New York City Business directories compiling a list of playing card companies of the 19th century there. While doing so, I came across this entry for Playing Card Companies of 1886; “Barnum & Co. Cards 169 William Street P. T. Barnum”. The famous P. T. Barnum made playing cards? 1886 was a time that he and James Bailey had split up their circus for a few years. Could it really be him?
I checked the New York City Directory for 1886 and it also said “Barnum, Phineas T Cards 20 William”. That’s him, Phineas Taylor Barnum. Looking backward in the directories I found that since the early 1870s he had been in the card business in New York. Even the 1880 New York Federal Census shows his occupation as “Card Manufacturer”. And a card advertising his business has his factory being on Ann street. P. T. Barnum's famous American Museum was located at the corner of Broadway and Ann Street in New York City until it burned down in 1868.
Through the years of City Directory and Business listings for Barnum & Company it also shows a wife, Susan, working there. And eventually a lady named Jane Travis is operating the company with Susan. After finding a New York marriage certificate for P. T. I find out that his wife’s maiden name was Travis. Maybe Susan was a sister-in-law.
Phenias Taylor Barnum dies in New York in 1902 and Susan and their two sons carry on the business. Making all types of cards and envelopes they incorporate under the new name The Barnum Envelope Company of New York City. The company stays in business until at least 1916. The 1905 incorporation announcement says the company directors are Harry G. Barnum, Phineas T. Barnum and Augustus Travis. The two former people are all relatives of the late circus man P. T. Barnum it states.
Well, it is true, they are relatives of P. T. , because they are his sons. But why not mention this and his years in the printing business? What did I miss?
Phenias Taylor Barnum dies in New York in 1902 and Susan and their two sons carry on the business. Making all types of cards and envelopes they incorporate under the new name The Barnum Envelope Company of New York City. The company stays in business until at least 1916. The 1905 incorporation announcement says the company directors are Harry G. Barnum, Phineas T. Barnum and Augustus Travis. The two former people are all relatives of the late circus man P. T. Barnum it states.
Well, it is true, they are relatives of P. T. , because they are his sons. But why not mention this and his years in the printing business? What did I miss?
The Original Phineas Taylor Barnum
Going back to the census records I track Phineas back to his birth in New Jersey and his parents from Connecticut. I knew P. T. Barnum was from Connecticut and then I realize my mistake. Phineas is too young to have had the museum in New York in the 1850s because he was still a child! Using more genealogy records, and the biography of the real Phineas Taylor Barnum, I discover my error. My P. T. was his second cousin. My Phenias’s dad gave him the same name as his famous cousin. Thanks, dad!
So, if you ever locate any cards with Barnum & Co. on them you will now know the story. I now believe I have disproved Barnum’s famous quote “Exposing an illusion is not the same as revealing a truth”
So, if you ever locate any cards with Barnum & Co. on them you will now know the story. I now believe I have disproved Barnum’s famous quote “Exposing an illusion is not the same as revealing a truth”