Handbill: Advertisement for performances of "Brunhilda! or Wake Not the Dead" at Barnum's American Museum, 1863

Handbill advertisement for performances of Brunhilda! or Wake Not the Dead and appearances of members of the Sioux and Winnebago nations at Barnum's American Museum for September 14, 1863. The front of the handbill features only information on Brunhilda! or Wake Not the Dead, including a cast listing. The other side of the bill lists other attractions, including visiting members of the Sioux and Winnebago nations. Also included are the appearance of a python, an automaton writer, and other animals present at the museum. Printed by Wynkoop, Hallenbeck and Thomas, September 1863. Barnum's American Museum was located at the corner of Broadway and Ann Street from 1841 to 1865 until it was destroyed by a fire, and then moved to 539-541 Broadway until it too was destroyed by a fire in 1868. The displays in the museum ranged from dioramas of places such as Niagara falls and the American plains, various animals including whales and trained seals, wax figure tableaux, performers, theatrical performances, inventions, scientific specimens, and curious artifacts. Barnum included what were then called humbugs, or hoaxes, and invited the public to decide for themselves if the displays in question were genuine or not.