Condition Report
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Lot 663
Sale 1252 - American Historical Ephemera & Photography Online
Lots Open
Nov 30, 2023
Lots Close
Dec 11, 2023
Timed Online / Cincinnati
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Estimate
$400 -
600
Price Realized
$410
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[EARLY PHOT.] Miniature wedding locket containing 12 photos of Tom Thumb & Lavinia Warren. Ca 1863.
3/4 x 1 in. clasping gilt metal locket stamped “Somebody’s Luggage,” containing an accordion-fold display of 12 miniature albumen photographs, approx. 1/2 x 3/4 in., documenting the wedding of groom Charles Stratton, AKA Tom Thumb, bride Lavinia Warren Stratton, and other members of the "Fairy Wedding Party," Commodore Nutt and Minnie Warren (slots for six to be displayed on each side) (most photographs in fair to good condition, 2 photographs heavily faded, two with punctures, significant loss and wear to one photograph). Although uncredited, the photographs were originally taken by Mathew Brady.
Tom Thumb and his bride, Lavinia Warren, married on 10 February 1863. They achieved great fame and wealth through P.T. Barnum. This miniature album was purportedly presented as a wedding gift to those who attended the wedding. Another example is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.




