Handbill: "Man in Miniature (General Tom Thumb), arriving in Great Barrington"
Image
Handle |
Handle
http://hdl.handle.net/11134/60002:881
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Persons |
Persons
Creator (cre): Unknown creator, American
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Title |
Title
Title
Handbill: "Man in Miniature (General Tom Thumb), arriving in Great Barrington"
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Origin Information |
Origin Information
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Parent Item | |||
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Resource Type
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Digital Origin |
Digital Origin
reformatted digital
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Description |
Description
Two-sided handbill printed on thin blue paper promoting "Man in Miniature" Charles S. Stratton, better known by his stage name, General Tom Thumb. Stratton was a little person performer made famous by showman P. T. Barnum. Handbills, which are similar in concept to modern-day flyers, were used to publicize events from the 1700s into the early 1900s. This handbill announces Tom Thumb's appearances, called levees (receptions), at the Town Hall in GT [Great] Barrington Thursday and Friday, September 21 and 22. Though the handbill is undated, the year is calculated to be 1848, about two years after Stratton and Barnum returned from their successful three-year tour of Europe. Stratton then toured America, going as far west as St. Louis, Missouri. He performed various character roles, from Napoleon to Sampson, but was always promoted by his stage name, General Tom Thumb. The handbill illustration shows the boy with an admiring audience of men and women as he stands beside his miniature carriage and ponies, called by its French term "equipage." The reverse side features a lengthy biographical article that describes Charles Stratton's background, weight and height, physical appearance and character traits, and the various characters he portrays in his performances. This handbill is a very rare item, both because it was never intended to be kept long term, and because the paper is so thin and fragile. 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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Genre
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Geographic Subject |
Geographic Subject
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Held By |
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
42.2890387, -73.3755716
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Note |
Note
condition: notSet
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Local Identifier |
Local Identifier
2003.009.060
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