Maj. S.E. Houghton...

Celebrated 19th century midget. Uncommon tinted carte-de-visite photograph, 2 3/8" X 4", New York, NY, 1862. Very good. Decorative backstamp on patterned verso of "Ranger's Photograph Parlors, / 28 East Genesee St. / Franklin Buildings, / SYRACUSE, / N.Y." On the recto, within a fine gilt double-rule border, a 2 1/8" X 3 3/8" albumen full-length portrait of Houghton has been affixed, with fine print caption in red beneath: "Maj. S.E. Houghton, / 20 Years Old--Height, 31 Inches,--Weight, 41 lbs." The image is clear and there's a bit of hand tinting -- the top of a small table next to Houghton appears green and a flowing drapery next to that is purple. The card itself shows a slight bit of wear and mild age toning. Houghton, along with the better known General and Mrs. Tom Thumb and lesser lights such as Lizzie A. Reed, Houghton was another of the sideshow celebrities (many of whom adopted military titles) who satiated the American public's taste for novelty. This particular card was reissued a number of times both prior to and after this card, the only change being in his age.