P.T. Barnum’s Greatest Show on Earth and the Great London Circus…Jumbo. Cincinnati & New York: Strobridge Litho, ca. 1882. Lithographed poster bears four images of the famous giant elephant, showing his size as compared to the skeleton of a Mastodon, and outdoors. Captions read, “His ears are as large as folding parlor doors.” “The elephant giant whose uplifted trunk reaches upward 26 feet.” “As large as any two elephants in existence.” Framed to 48 x 23 ¼”. Linen backed. Scarce. One of P.T. Barnum’s greatest attractions – both in size and popularity – Jumbo was purchased by the famous American showman from the London Zoo, where he had been a popular attraction adored by school children. Barnum paid some $10,000 (£2,000) for the elephant, an unheard of sum at the time. But the drawing power of Jumbo was such that he brought crowds to the circus in droves and the sum was recouped after one short stint at Madison Square Garden. He died in 1885 when, some say, he was accidentally struck by a train. Even after his death Jumbo was a profitable part of the show, as Barnum sold tickets for the display of his skeleton.P.T. Barnum’s Greatest Show on Earth and the Great London Circus…Jumbo. Cincinnati & New York: Strobridge Litho, ca. 1882. Lithographed poster bears four images of the famous giant elephant, showing his size as compared to the skeleton of a Mastodon, and outdoors. Captions read, “His ears are as large as folding parlor doors.” “The elephant giant whose uplifted trunk reaches upward 26 feet.” “As large as any two elephants in existence.” Framed to 48 x 23 ¼”. Linen backed. SCARCE. One of P.T. Barnum’s greatest attractions – both in size and popularity – Jumbo was purchased by the famous American showman from the London Zoo, where he had been a popular attraction adored by school children. Barnum paid some $10,000 (£2,000) for the elephant, an unheard of sum at the time. But the drawing power of Jumbo was such that he brought crowds to the circus in droves and the sum was recouped after one short stint at Madison Square Garden. He died in 1885 when, he was accidentally struck by a train. Even after his death Jumbo was a profitable part of the show, as Barnum sold tickets to a museum tent that included a display of his skeleton and hide. Despite the popularity of Jumbo, few posters featuring the elephant have survived.