Mathew B. Brady
Mr. & Mrs. General Tom Thumb in their Wedding Costume

Public Domain

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Artist Mathew B. Brady (American, 1823–1896)American, 1823–1896

CultureAmerican

Titles

Mr. & Mrs. General Tom Thumb in their Wedding Costume

Date1863

MediumAlbumen silver print from glass negative

DimensionsImage: 3 3/8 × 2 1/8 in. (8.6 × 5.3 cm)
Sheet: 3 3/8 × 2 1/8 in. (8.6 × 5.4 cm)
Mount: 4 × 2 7/16 in. (10.2 × 6.2 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mike and Mickey Marvins

Object number2014.928

Not on view

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Department

Photography

Special Collections

Marvins Family Collections

Object Type

PHOTOGRAPHS

DescriptionThe wedding of Charles S. Stratton (also known as “General Tom Thumb”) and Lavinia Warren at New York’s Grace Church on February 10, 1863, was a lavish event, promoted wildly—and profitably—by their employer, P. T. Barnum, at whose American Museum on Broadway the diminutive couple starred. Brady’s cartes de visite of the two in their wedding attire, undoubtedly issued by the thousands, were sold as souvenirs by Stratton and Warren as they toured the world in the years that followed.
ProvenanceMichael Marvins and Michele Marvins, Houston; given to MFAH, 2014.
Exhibition History“A Photographer’s Collection: Gifts from Michael and Michele Marvins,” The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, April 4–July 5, 2015.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

verso top in ink: Compliments of / Charles S Stratton. / Compliments of / Lavinia Warren Stratton.

recto printed on mount below image: Mr. & Mrs. General Tom Thumb / in their wedding costume. / Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1863 by E&H.T. Anthony in the / Clerk's Office in the District Court of the United States for the So. District of New York.
recto BRC on the image a circular blind stamp: "JG"
recto BLC on the image a circular blind stamp: "EA"
verso printed center: From / Photographic Negative / By / BRADY / Published by / E&H.T. ANTHONY / [initials in a decorative oval] / 501 Broadway, New York. / MANUFACTURERS / of the best / PHOTOGRAPHIC ALBUMS

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