Physical object: Horseshoe belonging to one of Charles S. Stratton's ponies

Pony horseshoe believed to have been worn by one of the miniature horses or ponies who drew the show carriage of Charles S. Stratton, better known by his stage name, General Tom Thumb. General Tom Thumb's miniature "equipage" (turnout of carriage, coachman, and ponies) is featured in many of the souvenirs and advertisements promoting his celebrity. Queen Victoria famously presented Stratton with a custom-made miniature coach and ponies, though her gift was not the only such carriage made for him. Stratton's miniature carriages were most likely pulled by Shetland ponies, which are very small, ranging in height at the withers (shoulders) between 28 and 46 inches. They are a hardy breed known for strength and intelligence, and were traditionally bred to pull carts and small wagons, and act as pack animals. This U-shaped iron shoe, just 3 inches long by 2 3/16 inches wide, was probably a memento of one of the ponies. The shoe is flat on one side and on the opposite side has grooves near the edge and round indentations near the ends. Charles S. Stratton (January 4, 1838- July 15, 1883), known as General Tom Thumb, was an entertainer and Bridgeport Conn. native who got his start with P.T. Barnum in 1842. Stratton's parents signed him with Barnum at age 4, as exhibiting those with dwarfism was lucrative at the time. Stratton took quickly to performing, and he entertained audiences worldwide, including nobility such as Queen Victoria. Stratton married fellow performer M. Lavinia Warren and the two had a happy marriage. Stratton's performances brought him renown as a celebrity, perhaps one of the biggest at the time, and he and Warren were able to live comfortably when not working. On July 15, 1883, Stratton suffered a stroke and passed away. He is buried at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with his wife beside him.