NOW ON EXHIBITION / IN THIS PLACE, FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY / BURNS' / AMERICAN MUSEUM! [followed by 53 lines of text....]

NP: np, nd [1860s?]. Broadsheet, [2] pp., 53 x 18 cm. Proprietor B.P. Burns advertises "many curiosities contained in his Museum... [including] one of Old Ocean's Greatest Wonders the Great Leathery Turtle from the Meditertanean Sea." Included is a vignette, 6 x 13 cm., depicting this giant creature being harpooned by three men in a small boat. The text notes the "monster was captured by a party of sailors, September 29, near Nepedge, L.I." A description of the creature, "all the information we can get in regard to this Curious Monster of the Great Deep, is from Johnson's Natural History, Volume II, Page 360...." [Johnson's "Natural History" was originally published in 1859 under a slightly different title, helping to date this piece]. Verso of the broadsheet advertises "ADDITIONAL / CURIOSITIES / TO BE SEEN IN CONNECTION WITH THE GREAT LEATHERY TURTLE. / A SPECIMEN OF THE / BLUE SHARK [followed by 65 lines of text, mentioning a penguin hen, horned toad, flying squirrel, among many other specimens and artifacts]. The proprietor B.P. Burns assures both parents and teachers that his collection is "presentable to the most refined taste of the old or young." The museum was to be open all day until 10pm, admission 10 cents. The portion of the broadside giving the place and dates has been left blank. A thumb-sized chip to upper margin of the broadsheet, not affecting text, and shallow chipping to right margin, just touching a letter or two, else a very good copy. Item #65177

Price: $1,250.00