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THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL

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Item Details

A rare miniature calling card later housed in a period glazed and pressed brass frame. The card is laid between the glass and black backing and can easily be removed.


The card originally distributed to promote the star performer in showman P.T. Barnum’s retinue, whilst touring Europe.


Charles Sherwood Stratton (1838-1883), better known by his stage name General Tom Thumb, was born with dwarfism and came to the attention of Barnum whilst still a child. Never exceeding a height of about 3ft, he was trained by Barnum as a dancer, comedian and impressionist, with notable acts including an impersonation of Napoleon Bonaparte. Stratton would only have been seven or eight years old when Barnum first took him to Europe on tour, where he performed before many heads of state including Queen Victoria. The publicity around his appearance combined with his natural aptitude for the stage brought him great celebrity, and made him one of the most famous actors of his generation. Unlike many sideshow performers who were vulnerable to exploitation, he would go on to earn a great personal fortune from his work that enabled him not only to go into business with his former employer Barnum, but even bail him out on one occasion. He married fellow performer Lavinia Warren, before an audience of 10,000 guests, an event followed by another tour of Europe and British India.


Another example of this visiting card is recorded at the Barnum Museum. From their research in Barnum’s correspondence it is clear that these were included with advertising bulletins as part of the promotion for Stratton’s European shows. In a letter to his interpreter in France M. Pinte, Barnum instructed him to: “distribute the present 2000 among all the first families before you arrive—with General’s little card inside each programme.”
Such miniature souvenirs were a feature of Stratton’s Tom Thumb’s act, with his biography produced as a miniature book, and miniature sets of wedding photographs sold in tiny locket albums. In spite of being produced in relatively large numbers, all are scarce survivals.


frame 7.5/6.4/0.8cm
card 3/2/0.1cm


 

  • Period:
    • Price: £695.00
    • €789 Euro
    • $912 US Dollar
  • Location: England