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Up for sale is a fantastic, authentic pair of 1863 \"Fairy Wedding\" Cartes-de-Visite (CDVs) featuring Charles Sherwood Stratton (General Tom Thumb) and his bride, Lavinia Warren. This matching two-card set beautifully documents the famous Victorian-era event managed by circus pioneer P.T. Barnum.
Card 1 Details (Traveling Attire):
Image: Shows the newly married couple posing in their formal traveling outfits.
Front Inscription: Features the clear printed text: \"Entered according to Act of Congress A.D. 1863 by M.B. Brady...\"
Reverse Side: Features the complete, highly desirable E. & H.T. Anthony (501 Broadway, New York) publisher stamp, noting it was made from a \"Photographic Negative in Brady’s National Portrait Gallery.\" It also includes elegant, period fountain pen calligraphy reading \"Marietta English\" and \"A Present.\"
Card 2 Details (Wedding Attire):
Image: Shows the couple standing together in full wedding attire—Lavinia in her white satin dress and veil, and Tom Thumb in his tuxedo.
Front Inscription: Features faint period text along the bottom border reading \"Mr. & Mrs. General Tom Thumb.\"
Reverse Side: Features a blank back with a charming, authentic period pencil notation reading \"Tom Thumbt and wife.\"
Condition Report:
Both cards are in good, authentic antique condition given they are over 160 years old. They display typical light toning, minor corner rounding, and light foxing/spotting consistent with Victorian-era paper ephemera. The photographic contrast remains sharp and clear. Please review the high-resolution photos provided with the tape measure for exact condition and precise dimensions (standard CDV size, approx. 2.5\" x 4\").
