Weighing Barnum's White Elephant
Simply fantastic tradecard from BRIGHTON BEACH, CONEY ISLAND with many layers of significance. Advertises FAIRBANK'S SCALES, BARNUM's SACRED WHITE ELEPHANT and CONEY ISLAND simultaneously. Printed by "Donaldson Brother, NY." On verso: Printed: "OCEAN HOTEL, T.I. DIXON PROPRIETOR. YOUR WEIGHT IS__[written in pencil: 138-1/2]___." Written in pencil: July 23, 1884."………….."Toung Taloung, the famous white elephant, which I brought from Burmah, cost me $200,000. Like the public, I was greatly disappointed in him.