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The Frontiersman. A Story of Life on the Plains. Season of 1890.
[New York: Adam Forepaugh, 1889]. Folio circular, 21” x 14”. 4 pp. illus. CONDITION: Good, transparent Japanese tissue repairs to separations at folds and various tears. A large illustrated circular promoting Forepaugh’s Wild West show-cum-circus in New York City. Adam Forepaugh (1831–1890) was one of the great circus organizers of nineteenth century America from immediately after the Civil War until his death in 1890. He is generally credited with the invention of the “Wild West” exhibition as part of his 1869 show, although he did not create a separate show until after Buffalo Bill launched his own show in 1883. This large circular, advertising the coming season of 1890, was probably printed in late 1889, as Forepaugh died on January 24th, 1890 and is here referred to as the manager for upcoming events. His son, Adam Forepaugh Jr., an elephant trainer, is billed here as manager as well, possibly because Adam was in poor health. A rival of P. T. Barnum, Forepaugh Sr. once remarked that he would prevail over Barnum because “I have a boy and Mr. Barnum has none. My show will outlast his.” However, while Forepaugh Jr. worked for his father, he did not succeed him in the circus business. At the time of publication, Forepaugh had staged some 153 exhibitions of his Great Wild West Show in New York City, and had expended some $60,000 on the production. Now “united” with his Mammoth Circus Organization, both entertainments were to appear under an immense spread of canvas. The production is described as offering “the heroic story of our country's progress realistically illustrated.” Wood engravings here depict some of the show’s acts and personalities: ‘Rain-in-the-face’ (the slayer of Custer); The Old Deadwood Stage Coach (“The First Shot-Danger Ahead”); Capt. A. H. Bogardus (“Champion All Round Shot of the World”); Sheridan's Ride; The Atrocious Mountain Meadow Massacre; Two Leading Cowboys, Broncho Bill and Round-up-Bob; Cowboys Sports & Pastimes; Sensational and Startling Reproduction of Gen. Custer’s Memorable Battle on the Little Big Horn; 40 Horses Ridden & Driven by one Man; Eclipse, The Trapeze Horse; portraits of Forepaugh Sr. and Jr., and more. 10,000 people attended the debut—including Gen. Sherman, Governor Hill, Robert. G. Ingersol, Mayor Hewitt, and W. K. Vanderbilt. Nine exhibitions were presented per week to some one million people. Page four lists over a dozen things “You Never Saw” included in the show. Reduced rates by river, road and rail were offered to patrons. OCLC records just one copy, at Yale. REFERENCES: “A Great Showman Dead.” Philadelphia Times, January 24, 1890.
Item #8871
Price: $1,250.00
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