Amazingly Tiny General Tom Thumb Jacket!

Barnum Museum Exhibit: Military style jacket belonging to Charles S. Stratton

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Today in our curator's corner, This Miniature tailcoat made of navy and scarlet color wool designed to resemble a military jacket of the mid-1800s, such as those worn during the Civil War. The tiny jacket was made for and worn by Charles S. Stratton, one of PT Barnum's extraordinary people better known by his stage name, "General Tom Thumb." Red straps stitched at the shoulders secure the General's gold epaulets in place. Epaulets are removable, and the pair original to this garment has not survived. The garment's exceptionally small size, about 15 inches long, cut to fit close to the body and narrow sleeves, indicates Stratton wore this when he was in his youth, probably in the late 1840s and early 1850s. Although less than two feet tall when first introduced to P. T. Barnum, Stratton did grow over time, and his later garments in the museum collection are larger. The jacket is well made and displays fine tailoring and applied details, such as the crossed axes stitched onto the sleeves and the "fireball" or comet-like motifs on the coattails. The crossed axes are typically associated with firemen. The brass buttons are embossed with the number 69, but the meaning of the number is unknown at this time. The combination of firemen's axes on a military-style jacket presented a puzzle until it was learned that Stratton had made a substantial donation to a Bridgeport Fire Company in 1849 and that a special event was held to honor him for his gift. Stratton was known for his generosity, giving money to various organizations. It is possible that the jacket was made for him to wear to this event. Years later, the jacket came into ownership by two different residents of Milford, Connecticut, and was kept in an attic for years before being donated to the Barnum Museum.

The jacket shows extensive insect damage caused by moths, a likely result of attic storage. The black silk lining has badly deteriorated; however, the loss allows one to see some of the inner construction that would otherwise be hidden from view, including pieces of somewhat brighter blue wool. 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 lived 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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