Physical object: General Tom Thumb paper doll set
Image
Parts
Physical object: General Tom Thumb paper doll set
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Handle
http://hdl.handle.net/11134/60002:3290
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Persons |
Persons
Creator (cre): McLoughlin Bros.
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Title
Title
Physical object: General Tom Thumb paper doll set
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Origin Information |
Origin Information
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Parent Item | |||
Resource Type |
Resource Type
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Digital Origin |
Digital Origin
reformatted digital
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Description |
Description
Paper doll set featuring P. T. Barnum performer General Tom Thumb, whose real name was Charles S. Stratton. The set was produced by McLoughlin Bros.of 30 Beekman Street in New York City, and probably dates to the mid-1860s. Though paper dolls were not new in the 1860s, they became a more common pastime for children as the mid-1800s explosion of mass-produced print materials made these kinds of items affordable to many. This set was likely produced around 1863 or soon after, amidst the hype of Stratton's marriage to M. Lavinia Warren. Both Warren and Stratton were little people, and well regarded as entertainers. Their wedding was heavily promoted by P. T. Barnum, who promoted it as "The Fairy Wedding" and elevated it to the biggest event in New York City society at the time. As such, there was a high demand for souvenir products featuring the couple. This set was part of a series that included paper dolls of Stratton's bride, Lavinia, and her sister Minnie Warren, also a little person. Lavinia was admired for her beauty, intelligence, and sense of style, making her ideal as a fashion plate for paper dolls. Charles’ extensive list of characters he played also made him ideal for this kind of a toy. The first page of this item shows the booklet, with the cover image of Stratton wearing the traditional clothing of a Scottish highlander, complete with kilt. The figure, border and titles are tinted in red and green. An elaborate border frames the figure and the title, in large decorative letters, "Paper Doll General Tom Thumb." On the back of the booklet cover is an advertisement for the McLoughlin Brothers listing their various wares, including games and paper dolls. The doll itself is a clothed figure of Charles S. Stratton, dressed in a bow tie, buttoned up shirt, breeches, and knee high boots, with one arm tucked into his shirt. The back of the doll shows the rear view of his shirt, trousers, and boots. First in the clothing sets is a Scottish Highlander outfit, as it appears on the booklet but colored differently. It includes a blue kilt, green and yellow tartan draped over the shoulder, a black shirt underneath, and argyle socks. The boots have little gold buttons on them. Stratton carries a sword in one hand, while the other hand rests on his belt. The back of this clothing is simply a rear of the outfit. Next in the set is Stratton’s Cain or Hercules costume, which is a simple combination of a brown loincloth and a club held in one hand. Stratton is shirtless and shoeless, and the back shows a very clear rear view of the costume. Other images of Stratton wearing various Classical figure costumes show that he wore a light color bodysuit, which provided modesty but also gave the impression of a nearly naked figure. Charles S. Stratton (January 4, 1838 - July 15, 1883) was an entertainer who got his start with P. T. Barnum in the early 1840s. Stratton's parents signed him with Barnum when the boy was barely five years old. The family went to live in New York City where Stratton performed at Barnum's American Museum, located on Broadway at Ann Street. The little boy took quickly to performing, and on tours he entertained audiences worldwide, including royalty. Stratton's performances brought him renown, becoming one of the biggest celebrities at the time, and considerable wealth. In 1863, Stratton married fellow performer and little person M. Lavinia Warren; the two had a happy marriage, and continued touring and performing. On July 15, 1883, Stratton suffered a stroke and passed away. He is buried at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
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Held By
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Use and Reproduction |
Use and Reproduction
This item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. Images and data from The Barnum Museum are intended for public access and educational use only. This material is owned, held, or licensed by The Barnum Museum and is being provided solely for the purpose of teaching or individual research. All other use, including commercial reuse, mounting on other systems, or other forms of redistribution requires permission of the appropriate department of The Barnum Museum; fees may be applicable.
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Coordinates |
Coordinates
40.7113655, -74.0066266
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Local Identifier |
Local Identifier
EL 1988.105.001
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Handle |
Handle
http://hdl.handle.net/11134/60002:3501
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Persons |
Persons
Creator (cre): McLoughlin Bros.
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Title |
Title
Title
Physical object: General Tom Thumb paper doll set
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Origin Information |
Origin Information
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Parent Item | |||
Resource Type |
Resource Type
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Digital Origin |
Digital Origin
reformatted digital
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Description |
Description
Paper doll set featuring P. T. Barnum performer General Tom Thumb, whose real name was Charles S. Stratton. The set was produced by McLoughlin Bros.of 30 Beekman Street in New York City, and probably dates to the mid-1860s. Though paper dolls were not new in the 1860s, they became a more common pastime for children as the mid-1800s explosion of mass-produced print materials made these kinds of items affordable to many. This set was likely produced around 1863 or soon after, amidst the hype of Stratton's marriage to M. Lavinia Warren. Both Warren and Stratton were little people, and well regarded as entertainers. Their wedding was heavily promoted by P. T. Barnum, who promoted it as "The Fairy Wedding" and elevated it to the biggest event in New York City society at the time. As such, there was a high demand for souvenir products featuring the couple. This set was part of a series that included paper dolls of Stratton's bride, Lavinia, and her sister Minnie Warren, also a little person. Lavinia was admired for her beauty, intelligence, and sense of style, making her ideal as a fashion plate for paper dolls. Charles’ extensive list of characters he played also made him ideal for this kind of a toy. The first page of this item shows the booklet, with the cover image of Stratton wearing the traditional clothing of a Scottish highlander, complete with kilt. The figure, border and titles are tinted in red and green. An elaborate border frames the figure and the title, in large decorative letters, "Paper Doll General Tom Thumb." On the back of the booklet cover is an advertisement for the McLoughlin Brothers listing their various wares, including games and paper dolls. The doll itself is a clothed figure of Charles S. Stratton, dressed in a bow tie, buttoned up shirt, breeches, and knee high boots, with one arm tucked into his shirt. The back of the doll shows the rear view of his shirt, trousers, and boots. First in the clothing sets is a Scottish Highlander outfit, as it appears on the booklet but colored differently. It includes a blue kilt, green and yellow tartan draped over the shoulder, a black shirt underneath, and argyle socks. The boots have little gold buttons on them. Stratton carries a sword in one hand, while the other hand rests on his belt. The back of this clothing is simply a rear of the outfit. Next in the set is Stratton’s Cain or Hercules costume, which is a simple combination of a brown loincloth and a club held in one hand. Stratton is shirtless and shoeless, and the back shows a very clear rear view of the costume. Other images of Stratton wearing various Classical figure costumes show that he wore a light color bodysuit, which provided modesty but also gave the impression of a nearly naked figure. Charles S. Stratton (January 4, 1838 - July 15, 1883) was an entertainer who got his start with P. T. Barnum in the early 1840s. Stratton's parents signed him with Barnum when the boy was barely five years old. The family went to live in New York City where Stratton performed at Barnum's American Museum, located on Broadway at Ann Street. The little boy took quickly to performing, and on tours he entertained audiences worldwide, including royalty. Stratton's performances brought him renown, becoming one of the biggest celebrities at the time, and considerable wealth. In 1863, Stratton married fellow performer and little person M. Lavinia Warren; the two had a happy marriage, and continued touring and performing. On July 15, 1883, Stratton suffered a stroke and passed away. He is buried at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
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Subject | |||
Held By |
Held By
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Coordinates |
Coordinates
40.7113655, -74.0066266
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Local Identifier |
Local Identifier
EL 1988.105.001
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