Document: Agreement between Bunnell and Barnum, November 2, 1876

Agreement between Bunnell and Barnum, November 2, 1876 The agreement establishes an equal partnership to exhibit curiosities, and the hiring and purchasing of what is needed to do so. The name of Barnum shall not be divulged or used in this venture; neither partner shall be paid; each will furnish half of the capital; Barnum agrees to advance Bunnell's half of the $2,500 for purchase of curiosities at Wood's museum. Barnum also agrees to obtain for Bunnell on said Bunnell's notes such sums as Bunnell may required, but not going over $1500, solely for use in this enterprise. The original manuscript copy is followed by a typescript copy. Barnum is best known for his involvement with the circus that still bears his name, but his circus ventures came about when he was in his 60s. The first show was called P.T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Circus. Railroads propelled the circus to success, making it easier to reach a number of locations, and the intake was significant. Barnum then opened the New York Hippodrome with similar acts. In the 1880s, he encountered competition from other circuses. A merger between Barnum's show the Great London Show of Cooper, Bailey, and Hutchinson formed the Barnum and London Circus. Negotiations in 1887 formed the Barnum and Bailey circus. The name remained until 1919 when it became the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus. It came to an end in May 2017 when the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus ceased performances after 146 years. Written by George Bunnell and P.T. Barnum, November 2, 1876.