Tom Thumb

Another find at a bric-a-brac fair was a photograph of Tom Thumb who was 39" high. This midget should not be confused by the earlier General Tom Thumb who worked for Barnham's Circus or for The Modern Tom Thumb or others who have adopted the name over the years.

A Boy and a Horse

A boy and his horse. Well, the horse was his while he posed for his parents in the photographer's studio. It must have seen a succession of children holding it as it is certainly well worn. Delightful! I wonder if he grew to be one of the Two Little Boys? Check out the laces on his shoes.They seem very large.

A Weight on their Minds

Little is know of the Westwood family from Foxton, New Zealand, but the attached photographic postcard made them famous. All right, the portrait is just of parents with their seven children. However, what is remarkable is the two children in the front, Wilfred and Ruby. At age 11, Wilfred weighs 21st 12lbs while Ruby, aged 15, is 17st 4lbs. I wonder what caused their immense weight and why just them? They must have got taller and heavier as they grew up. Does anyone know more about them>

Somewhat more Scary than I would have Liked

Now, I am not entirely sure why an Edwardian gardener decided to create a scarecrow inside one of the estate's glasshouses, but what I am certain about is that this is SCARY! Imagine this coming across the garden to meet you. Shudder!

Trapped in a Tree!

Of course, if you start wandering around cemeteries in the dark, there is always a possibility that a cemetery tree might suck you in. I didn't notice this poor chap at first - at least, not until I heard a slight groan and a whispered help. What should I do? I don't know! But I wonder how long he has been there and has he been missed?

Edwardian Grotesque!

Sadly, Edwardian England and I am sure elsewhere enjoyed viewing Freak Shows and the like. Here is a souvenir postcard (1906) of 'The Troupe of Royal Midgets, including Madam Tom Thumb'. I am not going to say much about it, but I want you all to take a look at the female figure in the centre resting on a stick. (You can click on the photo to enlarge it) But what do you make of her features . . . ?

Celebrating the 200th post - Damn!

Two hundred posts - it's a miracle! If I hadn't been commuting so far, it could have been 500, but I am managing to 'manage' my fatigue and my time so have been posting again. Thank you all!

That said, you might be wondering why added a curse to the Title of this post. Well, I recently found an curious card sent by a young lady in 1905. For the time, I think it was probably thought of as quite risque. It consists of a series of hand-drawn portraits of members of a family and their dog. They are not the most handsome and pretty people you will have seen, but the title makes me laugh - 'The Whole Dam Family'
And the last portrait of all is of 'The Dam dog'. Outrageous! It also seems there was a series of them as it is recorded as being part of the A-dam Series . . . Has anyone see similar?