JUMBO THE ELEPHANT.


"Jumbo," the Gigantic Elephantine Monster ... The Biggest Elephant Ever Seen in or Out of Captivity! New York: Roylance Co, [1882]. Illustrated broadside, 530 x 255 mm. Some toning to paper.P.T. Barnum's star attraction, Jumbo, is featured in this poster, "in Exhibition Every Afternoon and Night" (possibly from Barnum's 3 week appearance at Madison Square Garden in 1882). Jumbo was captured in Sudan, exported to Paris where he was exhibited at the Jardin des Plantes, then transferred to the London Zoo in 1865. Barnum purchased Jumbo in 1882 over much outcry and brought him to America where he soon became the show's star attraction. This broadside says the empresario paid $25,000, but he actually paid only $2000.The poster also mentions "the elephant family" and its newest member, "That Precious Baby," a new calf, born at Bridgeport on February 2 of 1882, here identified as "Bridgeport," but actually named "America," daughter of queen and Chieftan (who is identified here, in the small print, as her father). Oddly, there is no mention of dates or venue or even a title for the Barnum show. Possibly this was produced to be posted inside the Garden.