2-799-093 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

General Tom Thumb's carriage, 1844. Coach and horses belonging to American circus performer Charles Sherwood Stratton, better known by his stage name of General Tom Thumb. Phineas T. Barnum organised a tour of Europe for Stratton who appeared twice before Queen Victoria. 'Mr. S. Beaton, of...Denmark-street, Soho [in London], has just built for his Generalship an elegant dress chariot, suitable to the dimensions of the hero. The body of the chariot is twenty inches high, and eleven inches wide. It is completely furnished in the richest style, with lining, lace, lamps, blinds, plate glass windows, spring roller blinds, &c....Upon the door panels are emblazoned the General's arms, Britannia and the Goddess of Liberty, supported by the British Lion and American Eagle...The carriage will be drawn by a pair of Shetland ponies...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol V.