Document: Writ justice form from Barnum's printing business in Bethel, Conn.
Writ justice form from Barnum's printing business in Bethel, Conn. It is a blank form, printed and sold by P.T. Barnum, meant to issue summons for... Show moreWrit justice form from Barnum's printing business in Bethel, Conn. It is a blank form, printed and sold by P.T. Barnum, meant to issue summons for legal proceedings. In his youth, P.T. Barnum had a number of business ventures, including operating a general store in his hometown of Bethel, Connecticut. He ran lotteries, and had a printing press for his newspaper, the Herald of Freedom. Printing additional forms, such as this one, likely came from the fact he was one of the few people to have a printing press available within and around Bethel. Phineas Taylor (P.T.) Barnum (July 5, 1810-April 7, 1891) is primarily associated with the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth. However, Barnum only began to focus on the circus in 1871. Prior to that he managed the American Museum in New York City from 1842-1868, was an elected official, mayor of Bridgeport, philanthropist, promoter, newspaper editor, and investor, among many, many other things. He promoted an image of himself along with his various ventures, which changed throughout the years, and was a celebrity in his own right. Show less