This week, Cowan's Auctions of Cincinnati will sell several unique items once belonging to Charles Stratton, better known to the world as Tom Thumb, one of P.T. Barnum's greatest attractions and a world wide celebrity of the Victorian era and beyond.

The sale includes a photo album kept by Thumb's personal valet (or "minder"), one B.F. Sellers, as well as Thumb's topcoat, boots, vest and pants.

Of greater interest to this writer is a rare sixth plate Ambrotype of Tom Thumb's "fairy" carraige, a miniature horse-drawn conveyance built specifically for Thumb by Barnum and used to promote Thumb's personal appearances. Many magic collectors likely have seen an engraved image of this diminuitive carraige, as it is featured in the foreground of the most popular engraving of Maskelyne & Cooke's Egyptian Hall. Above is the image being offered in this week's auction. Click here to visit Cowan's website and read more.