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Join us each week for a large and diversified selection of the finest in Masonic antiques and collectibles as well as many other fascinating items. We are a business run by Masons. Our clientele includes Masonic Museums, Libraries and individual collectors the world over. Always having been passionately involved in the study and documentation of Masonic Arts and Historical Artifacts, it gives us pleasure to feature Masonic Collectibles among our various auctions and relish securing good homes for these most wonderful and beautiful cultural treasures of Freemasonry, thus helping to some degree to insure their survival and appreciation for generations to come.

PRESENTING A CLASSIC ORIGINAL 19th CENTURY CABINET CARD PHOTOGRAPH OF LEGENDARY CIRCUS MIDGETS: TOM THUMB ALONGSIDE HIS LADY LAVINIA WARREN & POSED IN A ROMANTIC BALCONY SETTING! Circa 1877-1880!

"GENERAL" TOM THUMB (Real Name: CHARLES SHERWOOD STRATTON)...A DISCOVERY OF P.T. BARNUM, IS STILL BE THE MOST KNOWN MIDGET ENTERTAINER OF ALL TIME!

TOM THUMB, A DEVOTED FREEMASON!

HE WAS 32nd DEGREE SCOTTISH RITE FREEMASON AS WELL AS A KNIGHT TEMPLAR!..LAVINIA WARREN BELONGED TO THE EASTERN STAR!

LOOK CAREFULLY AT TOM'S TUXEDO!

HE WEARS HIS BELOVED MASONIC SCOTTISH RITE FOB!

PHOTO BY THE GREAT ABRAHAM BOGARDUS!

TOM THUMB WAS ONE OF A GREAT MANY GREAT HISTORIC CIRCUS & SIDESHOW PERSONALITIES WHO WERE FREEMASONS!

A NICE ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION OF EITHER MASONIC OR CIRCUS, SIDESHOW, FREAK & ALL AROUND HISTORIC THEATRICAL MEMORABILIA!

MEASURES A LARGE 4 ¼ x 6 ½ INCHES!

A NICE AUTHENTIC PHOTO...A CLASSIC!

Fascinating, Historic & Unique Collectible Treasures!

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Here we have a classic circa 1877-1880 image of world famous performer Tom Thumb (a very active Freemason, also Scottish Rite & Knight Templar) alongside his wife, Lavinia Warren. This authentic 19th century Cabinet Card photo was taken by the great Abraham Bogardus in New York City. Although it may be a bit hard to tell from the photo, but Tom Thumb is proudly wearing the Scottish Rite Watch Fob that he loved so much. A circus sideshow icon, Tom Thumb has been refereed to as both a Midget and a Dwarf. Some describe him as having been really tiny. But others claim this to be pure "baloney", insisting he was really much taller then his promoted heights. In any case, there is no doubt that this man is a legend. One of the most popular performers of all time. This is a really handsome old period photograph of Tom Thumb and his wife, the equally famous Lavinia Warren. Aside from being somewhat light, the photo is in very good vintage condition. One must remember that being well over 100 years old, natural ageing is normal in old photographs. Yet, the image is all there and the item is solid and attractive. Charles Sherwood Stratton (Tom Thumb) was a high ranking Mason and his wife Warren was active in the Eastern star for a great many years. Tom here is older and much heavier in this picture. It is a fact that quite a few Circus and Sideshow personalities were active Freemasons.The list includes among many others: all the Ringling Brothers, the “World’s Tallest Man” Robert Wadlow, Giants Jim Tarver and John (Johan) Aasen as well as many of the then-called “Midgets”. Please also note the photo appearing at the very top of the page which shows a Giant Masonic Shriner from many years ago. Other Masonic Circus luminaries include all the Ringling Brothers, Lion Tamer Clyde Beatty and Clown Emmett Kelly (both Sr. & Jr.). Many of them were also Knight Templars (Tarver, Thumb, etc). The photo measures approximately 4 ¼ x 6 ½ inches. Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren belonged to that unique group of Sideshow Royalty. They are great legends along with the likes of Celebrated Freaks Jo-Jo the Russian Dog Faced Man, Lionel the Lion Faced Boy, Zip the "What-Is-It" Pinhead, Bearded Lady Annie Jones and Armless Wonder Charles Tripp. THIS IS A GENUINE 19th CENTURY PERIOD ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH! We regularly feature extremely attractive and also very rare, top quality antiques including among the finest in Fraternal and Masonic Swords and Historic Relics as well as many other fascinating items. Among our clients are Museums and Archives as well as many collectors the world over. Please keep checking our Classicliterati auctions. We try to describe items to the best of our ability. Please ask all questions prior to bidding.FREE SHIPPING IN USA. Payment is expected within 5 days of auction close. FOREIGN SALES: Shipping this item to another country requires that it will only be sent with full INSURANCE and TRACKING which is EXPENSIVE. International bidders should first ask about exact shipping costs. Thank You.

OURS IS A BUSINESS WHICH IS RUN BY MASONS. Our clients not only include collectors and enthusiasts around the entire world, but also Masonic Museums, Libraries and Scholarly Institutions. Having always been passionately involved in the study and active documentation of Masonic Arts and Historical Artifacts, it gives us an extra special pleasure to also feature Masonic Collectibles among our various auctions. We relish securing good homes for these most wonderful and beautiful cultural treasures of Freemasonry, thus helping to some degree to insure their survival and appreciation for generations to come.

THE GREAT TOM THUMB & LAVINIA WARREN!

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