Antique Harmonica/folding prints booklet of THE CIRCUS NEW YORK (Bowery) 1841

Description

I am happy to offer you this fantastic and very rare piece of circus memorabilia!
A harmonica or folding booklet hand printed and colored. Sold as a memorabilia to customers in 1841 by THE CIRCUS in New York (Bowery theatre).
This rare and fragile piece must have been charished and loved by it's owner(s) since it is in such a fine state after almost 200 years! It has no damage, only some minor staining on the cover.
The pictures, 11 in total, are all about horse acts. Printed and colored by hand.
The size of the booklet is 6 cm. by 6.5 cm.
A bit of history of the well known Bowery Theatre:
The bowery theatre was
Remodeled in 1835 as a circus, with stage and ring. It opens under the management of June, Titus & Angevine, of the Zoological Institute. Some time later it becomes for a short time the
Bowery Theatre
.
In 1841  it r
everts to circus exhibitions as
The New York Circus at the Bowery Theatre
.
In 1842 it is known as the
Amphitheater of the Republic
under the management of N. A. Howes of the Zoological Institute.
From 1843 to 48 it is leased to circus-owner John Tryon, who improves the amphitheater and manages it until 1848.
In 1849 it reverts to a menagerie managed by Titus and June.
From 1852 until 54 it changes back to a circus, the amphitheater is leased by Richard Sands, whose company settles there until early 1854, with various circus productions. During the summer of 1854, the house is rebuilt and reopened as the
Stadt Theatre
. It will be known as the
New National Circus
, under the management of A. Montpellier in 1865, before being converted into an armory.
This rare little gem would be a fine item in any collection, be it circus or even New York history!