Photograph: Stratton as General Tom Thumb in Jester costume; done in Norwalk, Conn.
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http://hdl.handle.net/11134/110002:486
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Title
Photograph: Stratton as General Tom Thumb in Jester costume; done in Norwalk, Conn.
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Origin Information
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Digital Origin |
Digital Origin
reformatted digital
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Description |
Description
Photograph of Charles S. Stratton as General Tom Thumb in Jester costume done in Norwalk, Connecticut, during the 1850s. An unknown man with a beard stands to Stratton's side, the two of them in a parlor of some sort. Stratton wears a costume of trousers, a vest, an unbuttoned collar, and unusual hat. Photograph includes a brief biography of Stratton, Hand colored. Photographs like this one were often sold as a part of exhibitions, and in the case of performers whose claim to fame was related to their physical appearance or a developmental disability, the staging in photographs helped to emphasize their differences. This was accomplished by consciously manipulating clothing, props, the backdrop, and all other elements of the photograph in order to draw attention to their particular traits. The question of who was responsible for the staging, be it photographer, manager, or performer, varied greatly. 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. Measures 5.5 by 6.75 inches.
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Creator (cre): E.T. Whitney
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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 Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library are intended for public access and educational use only. This material is owned, held, or licensed by The Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library 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 Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library; fees may be applicable.
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Note
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Local Identifier |
Local Identifier
PTB-tt-ph007
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