Textile: Miniature top hat belonging to Charles S. Stratton
Headgear Accessory
Gillham Brothers of Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Dublin, and Glasgow (created by)
Charles S. Stratton (General Tom Thumb)
Southworth, Mary (associated with)
Charles S. Stratton (General Tom Thumb)
Southworth, Mary (associated with)
1840 – 1859 (Date manufactured/created)
Measurement Notes: Width:7.5"; depth: 9 1/4"; height: 5 1/4"
Top hat made of felted black fur, custom made for Charles S. Stratton (better known by his stage name, General Tom Thumb). Stratton was a little person who became an international celebrity as a performer employed by P. T. Barnum. The small size of the hat, just 5 1/2-inches high and 9 inches from front to back, reflects Stratton's miniature stature. He was likely quite young or possibly a teen when he acquired this hat while traveling on tours with Barnum in the British Isles in the 1840s or 1850s; in that age bracket, he would have been between about 2 to 2 1/2-feet tall. Since Barnum was presenting Stratton to British society as a young gentleman, it was appropriate that he be dressed to fit that image, for which a top hat would have been essential. The hat has a straight-sided crown, and a narrow brim with a slightly curled edge, bound with satin. A narrow black silk ribbon covers the join between the brim and the crown. The brim is well worn at the proper right front, where Stratton would have grasped it when taking his hat off, which he undoubtedly did frequently on his tours when being introduced to ladies and gentlemen. The hat's silk lining is stamped at the top with the seller's name, Gillham Brothers, and five cities in the British Isles where the shops were located: Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool (all in England), Dublin (in Ireland), and Glasgow (in Scotland). The imprint features a large heraldic crest, under which appears the seller's information.
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 1988.111.001