Booklet: "History of Commodore Nutt"
Book
Wynkoop And Hallenbeck (created by)
P. T. Barnum (associated with)
George W. M. Nutt (Commodore Nutt) (associated with)
P. T. Barnum (associated with)
George W. M. Nutt (Commodore Nutt) (associated with)
1862 (Date manufactured/created)
Booklet titled "History of Commodore Nutt, the smallest Man in miniature in the known World . . .", published by P. T. Barnum’s American Museum in 1862. The lengthy subtitle states that Nutt was 29 inches tall at eighteen years of age and weighed just 24 pounds. This small black and white booklet was one of many souvenirs that visitors to Barnum's Museum could purchase, and the owner's name, Miss Ella _____, remains partially visible at the top. Barnum was known to have allowed his salaried performers to sell their souvenirs directly to the public, thereby increasing their income. Whether this booklet is such an example or was sold by the Museum is unknown; regardless its survival for well over 150 years is remarkable. The front cover features an illustration of performer "Commodore Nutt," whose real name was George Washington Morrison Nutt, standing on a small boat shaped like a walnut. Barnum's advertising frequently played upon the young man's surname Nutt by associating him with a walnut. (The Barnum Museum owns a walnut-shaped show carriage made by Barnum for Commodore Nutt.) Appropriately, Nutt is dressed in a Commodore's naval uniform. The back cover features a depiction of Barnum's American Museum, where Nutt rose to fame. The book includes a biography of Nutt, while the last several pages feature advertisements for Barnum's American Museum, promoting the wonders within. It was printed in 1862 by Wynkoop, Hallenbeck and Thomas, Steam Printers, located at 113 Fulton Street in New York.
George Washington Morrison Nutt (April 1, 1848 - May 25, 1881), known as Commodore Nutt, was an entertainer and little person who worked for P. T. Barnum. Nutt had been exhibited for his small stature at a young age, attracting Barnum's notice. The boy's father signed him with Barnum at the age of 13, along with a brother who was also small. Nutt became the new star at the American Museum, as Charles S. Stratton--known by his stage name as General Tom Thumb--was then in his mid-twenties and had lost some of his youthful appeal, though still a very popular performer. Nutt was sometimes paired with Stratton, and later Nutt joined forces with Stratton, his wife Lavinia, and Lavinia’s sister Minnie to do a world tour. Nutt quit the company in 1872, but his own attempts to start a company never quite succeeded, and his financial resources dwindled. Nutt died of Bright's disease on May 25, 1881 in New York City.
George Washington Morrison Nutt (April 1, 1848 - May 25, 1881), known as Commodore Nutt, was an entertainer and little person who worked for P. T. Barnum. Nutt had been exhibited for his small stature at a young age, attracting Barnum's notice. The boy's father signed him with Barnum at the age of 13, along with a brother who was also small. Nutt became the new star at the American Museum, as Charles S. Stratton--known by his stage name as General Tom Thumb--was then in his mid-twenties and had lost some of his youthful appeal, though still a very popular performer. Nutt was sometimes paired with Stratton, and later Nutt joined forces with Stratton, his wife Lavinia, and Lavinia’s sister Minnie to do a world tour. Nutt quit the company in 1872, but his own attempts to start a company never quite succeeded, and his financial resources dwindled. Nutt died of Bright's disease on May 25, 1881 in New York City.
EL 1988.159.001