1869 Miniature Bicycle Used by Tom Thumb
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Artifact Overview
Topliff and Ely, an Ohio company, presented this reduced-size velocipede to General Tom Thumb, the stage name of Charles Sherwood Stratton. This diminutive performer, who only reached a height of 40 inches, got his start with P. T. Barnum. Stratton turned his small stature into a profitable career entertaining both royalty and the common man.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Bicycle
Date Made
1869
Creators
Place of Creation
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
30.120.27
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Steel (Alloy)
Wood (Plant material)
Leather
Dimensions
Length: 30 in
Width: 12.25 in
Height: 19.5 in
Wheelbase: 15.75 in
Inscriptions
At prong of seat is metal shield: PRESENTED / TO / GENL. TOM THUMB / BY / TOPLIFF & ELY / MAKERS / ELYRIA, O / 1869
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