St Marys Books

First English edition, published one year after the first US edition, circa 1882-1883. Original printed pictorial wrappers in colour. Original advertisements to front and rear. Rusting to staple visible at Introduction and to rear advertisements. Some light spotting, marginal. A little soiling and a few marks to the covers. Still a lovely bright copy, it has survived remarkably considering its age and format. Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810-1891) is best known for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1871. This book is one of his five published works, and in it he offers advice such as: 'Let hope predominate, but be not too visionary,' and 'don't blab'. Scarce, no other UK editions on the market, and no version has a recorded appearance at auction since 1949. A quirky and collectable book!