James D. Torrey printed circus posters, published Civil War histories, and became the first Treasurer of Advance Lodge No. 635 in Astoria. His story connects the lodge’s founding with Manhattan’s Spruce Street printing trade—and the unpaid circus debts that helped bring down his business.

James D. Torrey printed circus posters and published Civil War histories before becoming the first Treasurer of Advance Lodge No. 635 in Astoria. His story connects the lodge’s founding in 1867 with Manhattan’s printing trade, the risks of circus credit, and a business undone after the Panic of 1873.