Description:

Tom Thumb Archive Including Shoes & P.T. Barnum Signed CDV, Small But Great Grouping!

An archive of materials relating to Charles Stratton, a.k.a. General Tom Thumb, and showman P.T. Barnum, including a pair of leather lace-up boots attributed as being worn by Thumb and Barnum signed CDV. Totaling twelve pieces in all, the majority exhibit moderate wear including soiling, scattered foxing, tearing, and creasing throughout. Our consignor purchased the collection from a notable antiquarian dealer "The Picking Fields", who informed us that the materials came out of a Connecticut house near Bridgeport from a family whose relative worked for Barnum during his and Tom Thumb's show period. The original box housing the materials is simply labeled "Tom Thumb" as it has been for decades, with the shoes having been positively attributed to the performer by several past and credible owners. Please see accompanying images for further information on condition and contents. A fascinating and unique collection!

Highlights include:

1.) Pair of boots worn by Tom Thumb, date unknown. The sole, from toe to heel, measures approximately 5.5" in length which closely matches a pair of boots shown in the Barnum Museum video (the boots are celebrated at this institution as one of their most valued and evocative possessions). Well-worn but overall good condition with some leather cracking and minor staining to the inside fabric.

2.) Group of 7 CDVs, all measuring 2.5" x 4", depicting Barnum, Thumb, wife Lavinia Warren and her sister Minnie, as well as fellow entertainer George Washington Morrison "Commodore" Nutt. One of which has been signed "P.T. Barnum 1866" along bottom edge, with two others featuring notations in an unknown hand reading "Compliments of Charles S Stratton/ Lavinia Warren Stratton" and "Compliments of Charles S Stratton/ Lavinia Warren Stratton/ G.W.M. Nutt/ Minnie Warren" respectively.

3.) Booklet entitled "Sketch of the life, personal appearance, character and manners of Charles S. Stratton the Man in Miniature, known as General Tom Thumb and his wife Lavinia Warren Stratton including the history of their courtship and marriage…", published contemporaneously to their time with Barnum by Wynkoop & Hallenbeck, ca. 1867.

4.) Additional pamphlets/programs related to the Barnum & Bailey "Greatest Show on Earth", as well as Tom Thumb children's book, unrelated to Stratton himself but relevant to his stage persona.

Charles Sherwood Stratton (1838-1883), better known by his stage name "General Tom Thumb" was an American performer who's act was mainly attributed to pioneer showman P.T. Barnum. Born in Bridgeport, CT to parents of medium height, Charles would grow and develop at an average pace until the age of six months, whereupon his growth abruptly slowed. While proportionate and healthy, he would eventually reach his tallest at around 3 feet. P.T. Barnum had heard of Stratton's unique stature and scouted him out at the age of 5, teaching him dance, sing, and do impersonations, eventually taking him on a European tour between 1844-45. Later while working at Barnum's American Museum in New York, Stratton would meet future wife Lavinia Warren (1841-1919), who began her performative career after hearing about his success as "Tom Thumb".

Their wedding, held on February 10, 1863, thus became (with the help of Barnum) one of the biggest events of nineteenth-century New York. Following the wedding, Charles and Lavinia were notably received by President Abraham Lincoln at the White House, further adding to their notoriety. As with any other "freakshow" attraction, however, the fame they received in association with the showman came with harmful downsides, with the couple portrayed as childlike and ultimately subhuman. Indeed, Lavinia was later quoted as saying "I belong to the public" in regard to her lack of autonomy as a capable adult woman. Later in January 1883, while Charles and Lavinia were staying at Newhall House in Milwaukee, WI, they would narrowly escape what was then considered to be one of the worst hotel fires in American history. Nevertheless, Stratton would die unexpectedly of a stroke a mere six months later at the age of 45, being interred at Mountain Grove Cemetery in his hometown of Bridgeport.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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