Charles S. Stratton - aka "General Tom Thumb" - Circa 1863
3D red/cyan anaglyph created from stereograph courtesy of National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; Frederick Hill Meserve Collection, at: npg.si.edu/portraits
NPG Title: Charles Sherwood Stratton
Date: Circa 1863
Photographer: Mathew Brady N.Y. Studio
Notes: A stereograph of the world famous showman "General Tom Thumb," who entertained and provided a diversion for Northern audiences during the Civil War. I've not seen a precise date for this photo, but he appears to be about the same age as in his wedding photos (Feb 10, 1863), so I've tagged this as circa 1863. Below are some short newspaper articles from the period leading up to his wedding, which provide a look at his act and what he was doing, and the extent of his popularity and fame.
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The Weekly Pioneer and Democrat
Saint Paul, Minnesota
November 22, 1861
“—Gen. Tom Thumb, who is at present making the tour of the Canadas, had a narrow escape from serious injury at St. Catharines on Monday last. The carriage in which he was going from his hotel to the railroad was overturned in consequence of the axle breaking, and the General was thrown out. Several of his suite were severely injured, but he received only slight bruises.”
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The Standard
Hillsdale, Michigan
December 3, 1861
“Gen. Tom Thumb Coming. –The world-renowned Lilliputian, Charles Stratton, of Bridgeport, Conn., known as Gen. Tom Thumb, will give one of his amusing and interesting entertainments in this village, on the afternoon and evening of Tuesday next, the 10t inst. See advertisement in another column, and posters about town.
The Original Celebrated and World-Renowned American Man in Miniature,
GENERAL TOM THUMB,
Smallest man alive, at Waldron’s Hall, in Hillsdale—Positively for one day only, Tuesday, Dec, 10. Two Brilliant Entertainments—afternoon at 3, and evening at 7 ½ o’clock. Doors open half an hour previous. The little General will appear in all his wonderful impersonations, Songs, Dances, Grecian Statutes, &c., &c., as presented by him by Royal command before Queen Victoria and Royal Family, at Windsor Castle, on 4 different occasions, and throughout the world for the past 19 years….He will also ride in beautiful miniature Carriage, drawn by Lilliputian Ponies…from the Hillsdale House to the Hall, previous to each entertainment. Admission. Day Entertainment, 25 cents; Children under ten, 13 cts, Schools admitted on liberal terms…”
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The Tribune
Chicago, Illinois
December 30, 1861
Tom Thumb.—Gen. Tom Thumb, who has been the feature of the past week, remains at Kingsbury Hall for another week, which will positively be his last one, as on Saturday next he commences a journey northward. The little man has met with extraordinary success in this city, and will vary his entertainments the coming week so as to suit the tastes and indulge the curiosity of all. The General was at the Hinkley concert Friday evening and created quite a sensation. He entered the Hall during Mollenhauer’s splendid performance of the “Carnival,” and in spite of the excellent music drew the attention of the whole audience and was the focus of hundreds of opera glasses. For a little man, the General is decidedly a big thing.”
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Columbia Democrat
Bloomsburg, PA
January 11, 1862
“A Bold Attempt to Rob General Tom Thumb.
The dressing room of Gen, Tom Thumb, in Chicago, was entered on Friday night by some experienced burglars, and the trunks containing his wardrobe -eight in number- broken or cut open, and the contents scattered promiscuously upon the floor. His jewelry, however, valued at $18,000, was deposited elsewhere. The thieves therefore failed in their design.”
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The Alexandria Gazette
October 22, 1862
“A great sensation was created among the free masons of Connecticut a few days ago, occasioned by Mr. Charles Stratton, alias General Tom Thumb, being initiated, passed, and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in St. John's Lodge, No. 1. of Bridgeport. The hall was crowded to excess to witness the interesting ceremonies.”
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Weekly Journal
Muscatine, Iowa
November 7, 1862
“P. T. Barnum, accompanied by General Tom Thumb and Commodore Nutt, has been visiting the 17th Mass. regiment, stationed about seven miles northwest of Washington. Elias Howe, Jr., (whose yearly income is a quarter of a million) is a private in this regiment, and carries the mail daily from Washington to the camp.”
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The Alexandria Gazette
January 14, 1863
“The excitement and interest in the marriage of General Tom Thumb and Miss Lavinia Warren, the little Queen of Beauty, is now the sensation of New York.”
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Red/Cyan (not red/blue) glasses of the proper density must be used to view 3D effect without ghosting. Anaglyph prepared using red cyan glasses from The Center For Civil War Photography / American Battlefield Trust. CCWP Link: www.civilwarphotography.org/
Charles S. Stratton - aka "General Tom Thumb" - Circa 1863
3D red/cyan anaglyph created from stereograph courtesy of National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; Frederick Hill Meserve Collection, at: npg.si.edu/portraits
NPG Title: Charles Sherwood Stratton
Date: Circa 1863
Photographer: Mathew Brady N.Y. Studio
Notes: A stereograph of the world famous showman "General Tom Thumb," who entertained and provided a diversion for Northern audiences during the Civil War. I've not seen a precise date for this photo, but he appears to be about the same age as in his wedding photos (Feb 10, 1863), so I've tagged this as circa 1863. Below are some short newspaper articles from the period leading up to his wedding, which provide a look at his act and what he was doing, and the extent of his popularity and fame.
********************
The Weekly Pioneer and Democrat
Saint Paul, Minnesota
November 22, 1861
“—Gen. Tom Thumb, who is at present making the tour of the Canadas, had a narrow escape from serious injury at St. Catharines on Monday last. The carriage in which he was going from his hotel to the railroad was overturned in consequence of the axle breaking, and the General was thrown out. Several of his suite were severely injured, but he received only slight bruises.”
********************
The Standard
Hillsdale, Michigan
December 3, 1861
“Gen. Tom Thumb Coming. –The world-renowned Lilliputian, Charles Stratton, of Bridgeport, Conn., known as Gen. Tom Thumb, will give one of his amusing and interesting entertainments in this village, on the afternoon and evening of Tuesday next, the 10t inst. See advertisement in another column, and posters about town.
The Original Celebrated and World-Renowned American Man in Miniature,
GENERAL TOM THUMB,
Smallest man alive, at Waldron’s Hall, in Hillsdale—Positively for one day only, Tuesday, Dec, 10. Two Brilliant Entertainments—afternoon at 3, and evening at 7 ½ o’clock. Doors open half an hour previous. The little General will appear in all his wonderful impersonations, Songs, Dances, Grecian Statutes, &c., &c., as presented by him by Royal command before Queen Victoria and Royal Family, at Windsor Castle, on 4 different occasions, and throughout the world for the past 19 years….He will also ride in beautiful miniature Carriage, drawn by Lilliputian Ponies…from the Hillsdale House to the Hall, previous to each entertainment. Admission. Day Entertainment, 25 cents; Children under ten, 13 cts, Schools admitted on liberal terms…”
*****************************
The Tribune
Chicago, Illinois
December 30, 1861
Tom Thumb.—Gen. Tom Thumb, who has been the feature of the past week, remains at Kingsbury Hall for another week, which will positively be his last one, as on Saturday next he commences a journey northward. The little man has met with extraordinary success in this city, and will vary his entertainments the coming week so as to suit the tastes and indulge the curiosity of all. The General was at the Hinkley concert Friday evening and created quite a sensation. He entered the Hall during Mollenhauer’s splendid performance of the “Carnival,” and in spite of the excellent music drew the attention of the whole audience and was the focus of hundreds of opera glasses. For a little man, the General is decidedly a big thing.”
***************************
Columbia Democrat
Bloomsburg, PA
January 11, 1862
“A Bold Attempt to Rob General Tom Thumb.
The dressing room of Gen, Tom Thumb, in Chicago, was entered on Friday night by some experienced burglars, and the trunks containing his wardrobe -eight in number- broken or cut open, and the contents scattered promiscuously upon the floor. His jewelry, however, valued at $18,000, was deposited elsewhere. The thieves therefore failed in their design.”
****************************
The Alexandria Gazette
October 22, 1862
“A great sensation was created among the free masons of Connecticut a few days ago, occasioned by Mr. Charles Stratton, alias General Tom Thumb, being initiated, passed, and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in St. John's Lodge, No. 1. of Bridgeport. The hall was crowded to excess to witness the interesting ceremonies.”
****************************
Weekly Journal
Muscatine, Iowa
November 7, 1862
“P. T. Barnum, accompanied by General Tom Thumb and Commodore Nutt, has been visiting the 17th Mass. regiment, stationed about seven miles northwest of Washington. Elias Howe, Jr., (whose yearly income is a quarter of a million) is a private in this regiment, and carries the mail daily from Washington to the camp.”
*************************
The Alexandria Gazette
January 14, 1863
“The excitement and interest in the marriage of General Tom Thumb and Miss Lavinia Warren, the little Queen of Beauty, is now the sensation of New York.”
------------
Red/Cyan (not red/blue) glasses of the proper density must be used to view 3D effect without ghosting. Anaglyph prepared using red cyan glasses from The Center For Civil War Photography / American Battlefield Trust. CCWP Link: www.civilwarphotography.org/