Newspaper: The Clipper with article about M. Lavinia Warren and Primo Magri
New York Clipper (created by)
M. Lavinia Warren (associated with)
Primo Magri (Count Magri) (associated with)
M. Lavinia Warren (associated with)
Primo Magri (Count Magri) (associated with)
April 23 1892 (Date manufactured/created)
Documentary Artifact
Front page of a newspaper titled The Clipper, dated April 23, 1892, and published in Hutchinson, Kansas. The front page features a write up about the arrival of M. Lavinia Warren and Primo Magri when they were touring and performing as Count and Countess Magri. The article includes a fanciful illustration of a horse-drawn carriage and figures wearing costumes from the 1700s preparing to get into the carriage. The article describes in detail the appearance of the two celebrities, and the expense of Warren's lavish wardrobe of gowns and jewels. M. Lavinia Warren was first married to Charles S. Stratton, better known by his stage name, "General Tom Thumb," and she by her stage name as "Mrs. Gen. Tom Thumb." After Stratton's death in 1883, Warren married Primo Magri, who was also a little person. Capitalizing on her celebrity, the pair toured and gave performances for about twenty years.
Mercy Lavinia Warren (nee Bump) Stratton (October 31, 1841 - November 25, 1919) was born in Massachusetts. She was a well known entertainer during the latter half of the 1800s. She first became a schoolteacher, but at the encouragement of a relative, she began her career as a performer on a river boat (Spaulding & Rogers Boat Shows); exhibiting little people (people with dwarfism) was profitable at the time. Warren signed with showman P. T. Barnum when she was 21. In December of 1862, Charles S. Stratton ("General Tom Thumb") began courting Lavinia and their whirlwind romance led to their famed marriage, "The Fairy Wedding," just two months later on February 10, 1863. Lavinia's younger sister, Minnie Warren, was the bridesmaid and "Commodore Nutt" was best man; both were also little people. The Strattons worked and toured together as celebrities, and had a happy marriage. Following Stratton’s death in 1883, Warren married Primo Magri, an Italian entertainer of a similar stature, on April 6, 1885. Magri and Warren toured, and also operated a roadside stand in Middleboro, Massachusetts, her home town. Warren died at age 78 on November 25, 1919. She is buried beside Stratton at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Mercy Lavinia Warren (nee Bump) Stratton (October 31, 1841 - November 25, 1919) was born in Massachusetts. She was a well known entertainer during the latter half of the 1800s. She first became a schoolteacher, but at the encouragement of a relative, she began her career as a performer on a river boat (Spaulding & Rogers Boat Shows); exhibiting little people (people with dwarfism) was profitable at the time. Warren signed with showman P. T. Barnum when she was 21. In December of 1862, Charles S. Stratton ("General Tom Thumb") began courting Lavinia and their whirlwind romance led to their famed marriage, "The Fairy Wedding," just two months later on February 10, 1863. Lavinia's younger sister, Minnie Warren, was the bridesmaid and "Commodore Nutt" was best man; both were also little people. The Strattons worked and toured together as celebrities, and had a happy marriage. Following Stratton’s death in 1883, Warren married Primo Magri, an Italian entertainer of a similar stature, on April 6, 1885. Magri and Warren toured, and also operated a roadside stand in Middleboro, Massachusetts, her home town. Warren died at age 78 on November 25, 1919. She is buried beside Stratton at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
T 2016.020.001