Print: "The Fairy Wedding" of General Tom Thumb (Charles S. Stratton) by Currier and Ives
Currier and Ives (created by)
Charles S. Stratton (General Tom Thumb)
Southworth, Mary (associated with)
M. Lavinia Warren (associated with)
Huldah Pierce Warren Bump Newell (Minnie Warren) (associated with)
George W. M. Nutt (Commodore Nutt) (associated with)
Charles S. Stratton (General Tom Thumb)
Southworth, Mary (associated with)
M. Lavinia Warren (associated with)
Huldah Pierce Warren Bump Newell (Minnie Warren) (associated with)
George W. M. Nutt (Commodore Nutt) (associated with)
1863 – 1864 (Date manufactured/created)
Currier and Ives print featuring "General Tom Thumb and Wife, Com. Nutt & Minnie Warren" in scenes pertaining to the famous marriage of Charles S. Stratton and M. Lavinia Warren Bump and their careers as performers working for P. T. Barnum. Held on February 10, 1863, the wedding was popularly called the Fairy Wedding since all four members of the wedding party were little people. This print features in the center a scene of the bride and groom with best man George Washington Morrison Nutt, known as Commodore Nutt, and bridesmaid Huldah Pierce Warren Bump, Lavinia's sister, known as Minnie Warren. They are shown in an interior setting which provides a sense of their small stature.
Framing the central image are illustrations of the subjects in costume. Starting from the lower left and going clockwise are: Commodore Nutt as a drummer; Lavinia in national dress; Stratton as Napoleon; Stratton in court dress; Lavinia holding a baby; Commodore Nutt as a Yankee boy; Stratton in Highlander gear; Minnie in a reception dress; and Nutt in military costume. Beneath the wedding image is a scene of General Tom Thumb's miniature equipage: his splendid horses and coach with footman and driver, costing over $2000. Along the bottom of the print the main text reads in uppercase letters: "Four Wondrously Formed & Strangely Beautiful Ladies & Gentlemen in Miniature. Nature's Smallest Editions of Her Choicest Work." In a larger font beneath they are promoted as: "The Greatest Wonder in the World. A Married Couple, A Bachelor & A Belle, All Four Weighing But 100 Pounds." Following that is a further description of the subjects. The print was created in 1863 by Currier and Ives, of 152 Nassau St., N.Y. However, the inclusion of the top center image of Lavinia holding an infant (though she and Charles did not have children) would be inappropriate for the print unless it was produced near the end of 1863, at least nine months after their wedding.
Charles Sherwood Stratton and Lavinia Warren Bump met through P. T. Barnum in December of 1862, and shortly thereafter became engaged. Stratton was 25 years old and his fiance was 21. Their wedding was heavily promoted by P. T. Barnum as "The Fairy Wedding" and became the social event of the year. It captivated public interest across the nation at a time when most news stories were heart wrenching, as the country was mired in a tragic Civil War. The marriage took place at Grace Episcopal Church on Broadway in New York City, and the reception, with 2000 guests, was held at the Metropolitan Hotel, where the lavish wedding gifts were displayed. In preparation for and following the event, a great number of souvenir items were produced such as small photographs, colored prints, sheet music, and various knick knacks "in miniature." This print would have been an affordable purchase for many fans of the celebrity couple, an attractive item that could be framed and hung in the living room or parlor.
Framing the central image are illustrations of the subjects in costume. Starting from the lower left and going clockwise are: Commodore Nutt as a drummer; Lavinia in national dress; Stratton as Napoleon; Stratton in court dress; Lavinia holding a baby; Commodore Nutt as a Yankee boy; Stratton in Highlander gear; Minnie in a reception dress; and Nutt in military costume. Beneath the wedding image is a scene of General Tom Thumb's miniature equipage: his splendid horses and coach with footman and driver, costing over $2000. Along the bottom of the print the main text reads in uppercase letters: "Four Wondrously Formed & Strangely Beautiful Ladies & Gentlemen in Miniature. Nature's Smallest Editions of Her Choicest Work." In a larger font beneath they are promoted as: "The Greatest Wonder in the World. A Married Couple, A Bachelor & A Belle, All Four Weighing But 100 Pounds." Following that is a further description of the subjects. The print was created in 1863 by Currier and Ives, of 152 Nassau St., N.Y. However, the inclusion of the top center image of Lavinia holding an infant (though she and Charles did not have children) would be inappropriate for the print unless it was produced near the end of 1863, at least nine months after their wedding.
Charles Sherwood Stratton and Lavinia Warren Bump met through P. T. Barnum in December of 1862, and shortly thereafter became engaged. Stratton was 25 years old and his fiance was 21. Their wedding was heavily promoted by P. T. Barnum as "The Fairy Wedding" and became the social event of the year. It captivated public interest across the nation at a time when most news stories were heart wrenching, as the country was mired in a tragic Civil War. The marriage took place at Grace Episcopal Church on Broadway in New York City, and the reception, with 2000 guests, was held at the Metropolitan Hotel, where the lavish wedding gifts were displayed. In preparation for and following the event, a great number of souvenir items were produced such as small photographs, colored prints, sheet music, and various knick knacks "in miniature." This print would have been an affordable purchase for many fans of the celebrity couple, an attractive item that could be framed and hung in the living room or parlor.
T 2016.048.001