Halloween Special Gen. Tom Thumb. 85% Off - Today Only [5lkBVEpQ]

A rare miniature calling card, distributed to promote a 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 and little person, Lavinia Warren, before an audience of 10,000 guests, an event followed by another tour of Europe and British India.

The clipping pasted beneath this card is a news item on his 1847 return voyage to America. It is indicative of the esteemed publicity he received, especially early in his career:

“The astonishing and clever little protege took is departure for Boston, in the Cambria on Thursday. He is accompanied by his protector, Mr. Barnum, and his parents. In taking our leave of this miniature hero, we would briefly glance at his unparalleled success since his arrival in Europe. He has appeared before more crowned heads than any person living–that is to say in the exhibition line. […] He speaks French fluently–plays the piano–is learning the violin and other instruments. He played in a French piece in Paris and the principal French cities; was elected member of the Dramatic Society in Paris; has played Hop o’ my Thumb, and Bombastes Furioso, with great eclat in London and elsewhere. He has received many valuable presents from the principal sovereigns of Europe; has kissed more than a million and a half of ladies; has exhibited before 3,000,000 of persons, and the gross receipts of his exhibitions … exceed £150,000, which … would make 2678 pounds weight of gold; and as the General weighs but 15 pounds, it follows that he has received 178 times his weight in gold.”

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.

Sint-Pierre, Adrienne. “PTB Letters (#24) Becoming a First Rare Showman” (Accessed 1 Nov 2024).