1860s P T BARNUM SIDESHOW MIDGETS CDV PHOTO - TOM THUMB AND HIS WIFE LOT OF 2

Description

Lot of 2 rare and original, 1860's CDV Photographs of P. T. Barnum’s Side Show / Circus Performers / Midgets Mr. & Mrs. Tom Thumb.
Included here are the following CDV Photos:
Rare, 1860’s, CDV Photograph of P. T. Barnum’s Side Show / Circus Performers / Midgets Mr. & Mrs. Tom Thumb with a baby identified as their "child". This wonderful CDV photo measures approx. 2 1/4" x 3 3/8" and is mounted on its original, square cornered card mount (overall size of card mount is 2 3/8” x 3 7/8”). The Photograph pictures the relatively young "Little People" couple in full length, standing in a photographer's studio. Mrs. Tom Thumb (Lavinia Warren) holds a beautiful little baby dressed in a floor length christening gown.
Once the thrill of the extravagant marriage and closely followed honeymoon of Gen. & Mrs. Tom Thumb died down, the next natural sensation would have been for Tom and Lavinia to have a child. Much to P. T. Barnum's chagrin, the couple didn't seem to be making much progress on that front. Not one to be daunted by factual circumstance, Barnum “acquired” a baby from a local orphanage and claimed the foundling was the natural heir to the Thumb name. This increased public interest in the Thumbs, so Tom and Lavinia happily played along. However, after a few years the baby grew larger than his 'parents', which both Barnum and the Thumbs agreed was bad for business. It was decided that a child of Tom Thumb — natural or impersonated — should not grow, so thereafter Barnum would find a new baby to fill in wherever they traveled, a system Lavinia explained simply: “English babies in England, French babies in France, and German babies in Germany.”
This rare and original, CDV Photograph is in very good condition. The image exhibits crisp sharp and good contrast and tonality although it is a bit light overall. There are tiny pin holes at the corners and the mount is soiled with light edge wear. There is no photographer’s mark.
Rare and original, ca1863 "Tableaux" Group Albumen CDV Photograph of P. T. Barnum’s Side Show / Circus Performers / Midgets Tom Thumb (Charles S. Stratton) and his Bride Lavinia Warren as they appeared on the day of their wedding along with Commodore Nutt (Washington Morrison Nutt) and Minnie Warren (Best Man and Maid of Honor at the Stratton wedding). The Image is titled with printed text on the recto – "Tom Thumb Wedding Group" and pictures the four Side Show performers posing in formal dress.
This very rare, Portrait Photograph measures approx. 2 1/4" by 3 1/4” and is mounted on its original, square corner, gold rule border photographer’s card mount (overall size of card mount is 2 1/2" by 4"). The Photograph does not carry a photographer’s mark.
Charles Stratton's marriage on February 10, 1863, to another little person, Lavinia Warren, became front-page news. The wedding took place at Grace Episcopal Church and the wedding reception was held at the Metropolitan Hotel. The couple stood atop a grand piano in New York City's Metropolitan Hotel to greet some 2,000 guests. The best man at the wedding was George Washington Morrison ("Commodore") Nutt, another dwarf performer in Barnum's employ. The maid of honor was Minnie Warren, Lavinia's even smaller sister. Following the wedding, the couple was received by President Lincoln at the White House. Stratton and his wife toured together in Europe as well as Japan.
This very rare and original, CDV Photograph of a gathering of Barnum's star "Little People" is in good to very good condition. The Image exhibits somewhat soft focus and is light overall. The card mount has some soiling and edge wear. Please see the scans below for a good indication of the condition of this wonderful "Midget Tableaux"
A lot of 2 rare and original, 1860's CDV Photographs of P. T. Barnum’s Side Show / Circus Performers / Midgets Mr. & Mrs. Tom Thumb and a fantastic addition to any collection!!!
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