Newspaper: Cover and article from Harper's Weekly for February 21, 1863, featuring the Fairy Wedding
Harper's Weekly (created by)
Charles S. Stratton (General Tom Thumb)
Southworth, Mary (associated with)
M. Lavinia Warren (associated with)
Charles S. Stratton (General Tom Thumb)
Southworth, Mary (associated with)
M. Lavinia Warren (associated with)
February 21 1863 (Date manufactured/created)
Paper Documentary Artifact
16 in H
X
11.5 in W
News magazine cover and page 114 of Harper’s Weekly, February 21, 1863, covering the recent marriage of Charles S. Stratton, better known as "General Tom Thumb," to Mercy Lavinia Warren. The couple wed amidst great fanfare on February 10, 1863 in a highly publicized event that P. T. Barnum promoted as the Fairy Wedding. The name was given due to the diminuative stature of the bridal pair and their attendants. The cover illustration features the couple standing together, arm in arm. Stratton wears a suit with a light color vest and a dark bowtie, and Warren wears a lace-covered gown with full skirt, a bridal wreath in her hair and a long lace veil. To the left behind Stratton is a high-back chair, included to emphasize their small stature.
The wedding took place at Grace Episcopal Church in New York City. Lavinia's younger sister, Minnie Warren, was her bridesmaid, and George Washington Morrison Nutt, known as "Commodore Nutt," was the best man. Barnum's promotion of the event escalated it to front page news, breaking for a brief time the pattern of Civil War news appearing on the front page, a welcome change to a war-weary public. Newspapers and magazines in both the U. S. and in England, where Stratton had previously toured, covered the story, and included lengthy descriptions of the lavish reception and gifts presented to the couple. Numerous mementoes such as carte de visite photographs and small trinkets were also produced to satisfy popular interest in the event.
The wedding took place at Grace Episcopal Church in New York City. Lavinia's younger sister, Minnie Warren, was her bridesmaid, and George Washington Morrison Nutt, known as "Commodore Nutt," was the best man. Barnum's promotion of the event escalated it to front page news, breaking for a brief time the pattern of Civil War news appearing on the front page, a welcome change to a war-weary public. Newspapers and magazines in both the U. S. and in England, where Stratton had previously toured, covered the story, and included lengthy descriptions of the lavish reception and gifts presented to the couple. Numerous mementoes such as carte de visite photographs and small trinkets were also produced to satisfy popular interest in the event.
BF 1990.009.001-005