Library Company of Philadelphia
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Welcome to the Library Company of Philadelphia's Tumblr page! Founded by Ben Franklin in 1731, we are an independent research library specializing in American history and culture from the 17th through the 19th centuries. This page highlights materials from LCP's extensive collection of rare books, manuscripts, broadsides, ephemera, prints, photographs, and works of art.
This #FelineFriday feature is from the back wrapper on our copy of A Brief Biographical Sketch of I.A. Van Amburgh (New York, 1860). Van Amburgh is credited with developing the first trained wild animal act, and would often place his bare arm, and sometimes his head, within the jaws of a wild cat. His act influenced many circus performances after him.
Known as “The Lion King”, Van Amburgh was criticized in his time for his brutal treatment of animals.
A Brief biographical sketch of I.A. Van Amburgh.
New York, Samuel Booth, 1860.