Print: "General Tom Thumb as he appeared before Her Majesty Queen Victoria" by Currier & Ives (owned by the Barnum Museum)
Charles S. Stratton (General Tom Thumb)
Southworth, Mary (associated with)
Currier and Ives (created by)
Southworth, Mary (associated with)
Currier and Ives (created by)
1861 (Date manufactured/created)
paper
13.75 in H
X
9.5 in W
Print featuring Charles S. Stratton, better known as General Tom Thumb, a little person celebrity-performer who worked with P. T. Barnum. The print, which dates to 1861, is composed as a series of individual black and white illustrations surrounding a portrait of Stratton standing on a chair to show his diminutive size.
The portrait has been hand-colored in red, grey-blue, and yellow. The vignettes depict Stratton in his character costumes, and also show his famous miniature "equipage" (coach, ponies, and liveried footmen). This print is by Currier & Ives, a firm that published affordable, popular prints, often as a series or several relating to a broad theme. The market for images and other souvenirs depicting Stratton was strong as "Gen. Tom Thumb" had quickly become a celebrity in the mid-1840s and retained his popularity throughout his life. Over the years this print was produced in slightly different versions, differing both in images and coloring. Here the border illustrations show, beginning at the top left and going clockwise: Stratton dressed as Villikins; the miniature carriage, ponies and coachmen called "Equipage"; Stratton in Court Dress; as a Scottish Highlander; as Napoleon Bonaparte; as Samson; a cartouche with a title that reads "The Original General Tom Thumb / The Smallest Man Alive / 23 Years Old, 33 Inches High"; as a Gladiator; as "my Mary Ann"; and as an American Tar (sailor). The lower margin of the print includes Stratton's signature, which reads: "Compliments of Charles S. Stratton, known as General Tom Thumb."
Charles S. Stratton (January 4, 1838 - July 15, 1883) was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Barnum was introduced to Stratton when he was a very young child, and recognized the boy's innate talent and engaging personality. Barnum brought him to the American Museum in New York City where he was taught to act, sing, and perform various character roles. Stratton was only 5 years old, but his immediate success launched his career, and soon after he began touring nationally and internationally. Barnum promoted him as the "Man in Miniature" since he was perfectly proportioned, and only about two feet tall having virtually ceased growing when only a seven months old. Stratton took quickly to performing, and he entertained audiences worldwide, including nobility such as Queen Victoria. Stratton's performances brought him renown as a celebrity, perhaps one of the biggest at the time, and considerable wealth. At age 25, Stratton married fellow performer M. Lavinia Warren and the two had a happy marriage. The couple continued touring and performing, and ventured on a three-year world tour that made them internationally famous. On July 15,1883, Stratton suffered a stroke and passed away. He is buried at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with his wife beside him.
The portrait has been hand-colored in red, grey-blue, and yellow. The vignettes depict Stratton in his character costumes, and also show his famous miniature "equipage" (coach, ponies, and liveried footmen). This print is by Currier & Ives, a firm that published affordable, popular prints, often as a series or several relating to a broad theme. The market for images and other souvenirs depicting Stratton was strong as "Gen. Tom Thumb" had quickly become a celebrity in the mid-1840s and retained his popularity throughout his life. Over the years this print was produced in slightly different versions, differing both in images and coloring. Here the border illustrations show, beginning at the top left and going clockwise: Stratton dressed as Villikins; the miniature carriage, ponies and coachmen called "Equipage"; Stratton in Court Dress; as a Scottish Highlander; as Napoleon Bonaparte; as Samson; a cartouche with a title that reads "The Original General Tom Thumb / The Smallest Man Alive / 23 Years Old, 33 Inches High"; as a Gladiator; as "my Mary Ann"; and as an American Tar (sailor). The lower margin of the print includes Stratton's signature, which reads: "Compliments of Charles S. Stratton, known as General Tom Thumb."
Charles S. Stratton (January 4, 1838 - July 15, 1883) was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Barnum was introduced to Stratton when he was a very young child, and recognized the boy's innate talent and engaging personality. Barnum brought him to the American Museum in New York City where he was taught to act, sing, and perform various character roles. Stratton was only 5 years old, but his immediate success launched his career, and soon after he began touring nationally and internationally. Barnum promoted him as the "Man in Miniature" since he was perfectly proportioned, and only about two feet tall having virtually ceased growing when only a seven months old. Stratton took quickly to performing, and he entertained audiences worldwide, including nobility such as Queen Victoria. Stratton's performances brought him renown as a celebrity, perhaps one of the biggest at the time, and considerable wealth. At age 25, Stratton married fellow performer M. Lavinia Warren and the two had a happy marriage. The couple continued touring and performing, and ventured on a three-year world tour that made them internationally famous. On July 15,1883, Stratton suffered a stroke and passed away. He is buried at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with his wife beside him.
T 2013.012.001