The Original Australian General Tom Thumb (photograph)

Colchester, England: Oldham & Angle Photographers, 1870. Very good overall. Carte de visite showing the Australian General Tom Thumb, aka John David Armstrong who made his debut in Melbourne in 1870 and performed world wide. An uncommon image, with Tom Thumb standing next to an ornately carved chair and dresser, dressed in coat and tails and holding a sheaf of papers. The visit of the American Charles Stratton ("Tom Thumb") and his wife Lavinia, to Australia in the late 1860s as part of the PT Barnum round the world tour, resulted in a huge fascination with little people worldwide. With the title below the photograph. Text on the verso: "this photograph is from the studio of G. A. Graham, 8 Mersea Road. With photographers imprint: Oldham & Angle Photographers, 11 Queen St. & 8 Mersea Rd., Colchester". Below the stamp: "The higher class photographs only taken by Sydney B. Angle, 11 Queen St.". 2 1/2 x 4". Slt faded.