Toys and games: M. Lavinina Warren paper doll, burgundy dress
1863 – 1870 (Date manufactured/created)
Paper Documentary Artifact
3.75 in H
X
3.8 in W
Dress from a paper doll set representing M. Lavinia Warren, wife of Charles S. Stratton. The couple was best known by their stage names, "Gen. and Mrs. Tom Thumb." Their marriage in 1863 set them on a course to achieve international celebrity, and a wide variety of souvenir items were produced to capitalize on the "miniature" couple's immense popularity. Though paper dolls were not new in the 1860s, they were becoming a more popular pastime for children due to the greater affordability of printed items, including books, magazines, and puzzles. As little people with the condition of proportionate dwarfism, Charles and Lavinia would probably have been likened to "dolls" in the public's imagination, and thus perhaps one of the reasons paper dolls were made in their image. In addition, Charles's character performances in costume presented a perfect opportunity for creating a paper doll wardrobe, as did Lavinia's taste for fashionable, expensive clothing.
The dress is a dark burgundy or purple color with a deep brown border and pleated trimming in light green; the wide neckline, short puffed sleeves, pointed waist, and very full skirt are typical of early 1860s fashions in evening wear. The ensemble also features gloves, and a handkerchief. Note that the front side of the paper doll has faded over time; the back side shows the gown as a brighter shade.
The set that this item is a part of was likely produced around 1863 or soon after, amidst the hype of the couple's marriage. Their wedding was heavily promoted by P.T. Barnum, who called it the Fairy Wedding and elevated it to the biggest social event in New York City society. Both Warren and Stratton were highly regarded, and were engaging and poised. Lavinia was admired for her beauty, intelligence, and sense of style, making her ideal as a fashion plate for paper dolls. A set was also produced to showcase Lavinia's younger sister, Minnie Warren.
M. Lavinia Warren was a well known entertainer, whose career spanned the 1860s to the early 1900s. She was born Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump on October 31, 1841, in Massachusetts. She married fellow entertainer Charles S. Stratton on February 10, 1863, and following his death in 1883, she married an Italian entertainer of a similar stature, Count Primo Magri, on April 6, 1885. Warren was a schoolteacher originally but soon began her performance career on a river boat at a time when exhibiting people with dwarfism was profitable. Warren signed with showman P. T. Barnum at age 21, along with her younger sister Minnie (Huldah) Warren, who also had dwarfism. After her marriage to Stratton the two toured the country and around the world giving performances, becoming America's first international celebrity couple. During Warren's second marriage, she and her husband also toured for many years and later operated a roadside stand in Middleboro, Massachusetts, her birthplace. Lavinia Warren Stratton Magri died on November 25, 1919, and was buried beside Stratton at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The dress is a dark burgundy or purple color with a deep brown border and pleated trimming in light green; the wide neckline, short puffed sleeves, pointed waist, and very full skirt are typical of early 1860s fashions in evening wear. The ensemble also features gloves, and a handkerchief. Note that the front side of the paper doll has faded over time; the back side shows the gown as a brighter shade.
The set that this item is a part of was likely produced around 1863 or soon after, amidst the hype of the couple's marriage. Their wedding was heavily promoted by P.T. Barnum, who called it the Fairy Wedding and elevated it to the biggest social event in New York City society. Both Warren and Stratton were highly regarded, and were engaging and poised. Lavinia was admired for her beauty, intelligence, and sense of style, making her ideal as a fashion plate for paper dolls. A set was also produced to showcase Lavinia's younger sister, Minnie Warren.
M. Lavinia Warren was a well known entertainer, whose career spanned the 1860s to the early 1900s. She was born Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump on October 31, 1841, in Massachusetts. She married fellow entertainer Charles S. Stratton on February 10, 1863, and following his death in 1883, she married an Italian entertainer of a similar stature, Count Primo Magri, on April 6, 1885. Warren was a schoolteacher originally but soon began her performance career on a river boat at a time when exhibiting people with dwarfism was profitable. Warren signed with showman P. T. Barnum at age 21, along with her younger sister Minnie (Huldah) Warren, who also had dwarfism. After her marriage to Stratton the two toured the country and around the world giving performances, becoming America's first international celebrity couple. During Warren's second marriage, she and her husband also toured for many years and later operated a roadside stand in Middleboro, Massachusetts, her birthplace. Lavinia Warren Stratton Magri died on November 25, 1919, and was buried beside Stratton at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
A Gift of the Discovery Museum, Bridgeport, Connecticut
2003.009.062 C