Book: "Sketch of the Life, Personal Appearance, Character and Manners of Charles S. Stratton"
Booklet
Van Norden & Amerman (created by)
Charles S. Stratton (General Tom Thumb)
Southworth, Mary (associated with)
Charles S. Stratton (General Tom Thumb)
Southworth, Mary (associated with)
1847 (Date manufactured/created)
Small, paperbound book entitled the "Sketch of the Life, Personal Appearance, Character and Manners of Charles S. Stratton[...]," and printed in 1847. The front cover features a border design surrounding a very long title, while the back cover has an illustration of Stratton in his various costumes entertaining an assembled group of guests. The full title is "Sketch of the Life, Personal Appearance, Character and Manners of Charles S. Stratton, The Man in Miniature, Known as General Tom Thumb, Fifteen Years Old, Only Twenty-Eight Inches High, and Weighing Only Fifteen Pounds, with Some Account of Remarkable Dwarfs, Giants, and Other Human Phenomena, of Ancient and Modern Times, Also General Tom Thumb's Songs." Inside the cover there is an advertisement for Barnum's American Museum in New York City. Primarily the text is a biography of Charles S. Stratton, better known by his stage name, General Tom Thumb, but also includes little rhymes and lyrics, as well as testimonials and reports from newspapers that reported on Barnum and Stratton's tour of Europe in the mid-1840s. The cover notes Stratton's age as fifteen, the age Barnum advertised him to be, though in fact he was born in 1838 and would only have been nine years old in 1847. This publication was produced immediately after their return to the U. S. from their three-year tour, and is one of the earliest publications about "General Tom Thumb."
Charles S. Stratton (January 4, 1838 - July 15, 1883) was an entertainer who got his start with P. T. Barnum in the early 1840s. Stratton's parents signed him with Barnum when the boy was barely five years old. The family went to live in New York City where Stratton performed at Barnum's American Museum, located on Broadway at Ann Street. The little boy took quickly to performing, and on tours he entertained audiences worldwide, including royalty. Stratton's performances brought him renown, becoming one of the biggest celebrities at the time, and considerable wealth. In 1863, Stratton married fellow performer and little person M. Lavinia Warren; the two had a happy marriage, and continued touring and performing. On July 15, 1883, Stratton suffered a stroke and passed away. He is buried at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Charles S. Stratton (January 4, 1838 - July 15, 1883) was an entertainer who got his start with P. T. Barnum in the early 1840s. Stratton's parents signed him with Barnum when the boy was barely five years old. The family went to live in New York City where Stratton performed at Barnum's American Museum, located on Broadway at Ann Street. The little boy took quickly to performing, and on tours he entertained audiences worldwide, including royalty. Stratton's performances brought him renown, becoming one of the biggest celebrities at the time, and considerable wealth. In 1863, Stratton married fellow performer and little person M. Lavinia Warren; the two had a happy marriage, and continued touring and performing. On July 15, 1883, Stratton suffered a stroke and passed away. He is buried at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
EL 1988.160.001