RARE CURRIER & IVES PRINT - TOM THUMB - FROM PLUMBE DAGUERREOTYPE BARNUM CIRCUS

Description

SUPER RARE CURRIER & IVES CIRCUS PRINT - TOM THUMB - FROM THE DAGUERREOTYPE BY PLUMBE
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You are considering the super rare original lithograph of the legendary Tom Thumb by one of the master printers of the 19th Century, Currier & Ives. Another copy of this print sold in November of 2017 at Potter & Potter Auction House in Chicago for 00.00 plus the buyers premium, just to give you the current market value of such an amazing piece of of early American Circus history.
What makes this artwork very rare is the fact that the lithographer or artist who created the print actually worked directly from the famous daguerreotype portrait of Tom Thumb taken by yet another creative legend, Mr. John Plumbe Jr.. Plumbe was a very early Daguerreian operator who worked in New York.
In addition, this particular print is of a younger General Tom Thumb depicts him at a mere 28 inches in height and only weighing a total of 15 pounds. The reason I know this is an earlier and more rare lithograph, is I personally own another copy of this exact print, plus a later version made after this circus legend performed before the Queen of England and had grown another five inches taller. In very small print below the center figure... one line reads, "Entered into copyright of Congress 1849 by Currier & Ives," which helps to date this wonderful and historical artwork.
What I have not begun to describe in my listing thus far, is the sheer beauty of this original color lithograph. The border is comprised of twelve smaller black & white vignettes containing each of the characters "The General" would portray during his performances. At the top of the artwork is a miniature horse drawn carriage, that was especially designed to carry a man of his small stature to and from his engagements. You can clearly read at the bottom window that Tom Thumb was born in 1832 and a small notation states the image was made from the daguerreotype by Plumbe. Near the bottom edge of the 100% archive museum mat reads, "Now Performing with Barnum's Traveling Museum and Menagerie."
As a footnote: You must remember, General Tom Thumb was revered by millions of spectators during his lifetime. Eventually P.T. Barnum, as a promotion genius, would gross the most money from his tiny performer during his own lifetime, than any of his other money making adventures. The original print I am selling is just another example of Barnum's incredible genius.
If you are a collector of Early American Circus History, General Tom Thumb, P.T. Barnum memorabilia, Currier & Ive prints or even an advanced collector of Daguerreotypes, then landing a superb original print would be a feather in your cap. The lithograph would make a magnificent and treasured holiday gift as well.
CONDITION:
Please view my highly detailed photos for the actual condition and as part of my description. I guaranty this print to be antique and original.
The viewing area within the mat is 9 1/8" X 13 5/8" and the overall mat measures 14" X 19 1/4". The overall viewing area of the lithograph seen through the archival museum mat remains in amazing antique condition. Hidden beneath most of the mat are a few small tears and some trim to the top of the sheet all of which are commiserate with age of a print now nearly 170 years old. The overall tonality and boldness of the colored lithographic areas are truly outstanding and certainly in keeping with the high quality of work that Currier & Ives are legendarily known for creating during the 19th Century. You will quickly notice in my listing photos that this print was decommissioned from a museum prior to my purchasing the item.
The former museum label still lies beneath the mat with pencil notations, none of which of course can be seen once the the cover mat is in position. The museum labels and notations can be seen in my 9th and 10th listing photos. My last listing photo is used to show the protective piece of vellum or tissue paper that was placed over the print when I purchased this item.
I will leave the tissue in place for the next owner to use until they decide how they wish to professionally frame this magnificent print.
Note: If you collect American Circus history, I will also be selling over the next few weeks a large group of Circus related CDV's and Cabinet Photos. Please check my Ebay store for new listings.
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