Lot 71

Fabulous grouping of four cabinet cards related to world famous little person Fleming Ackerman, known on the circuit as Colonel Speck. He later became a photographer in his hometown of Moravia, NY.

 First there are two cabinet cards of Speck. One shows him with a partner, most likely from his time with the Lilliputian Opera Companies. There is another of Speck by himself. The other two cabinet cards are from Speck’s photographic studio. The following history was provided by, https://travsd.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/fleming-w-ackerman-a-k-a-colonel-speck/.

Fleming W. Ackerman (1863-1946), was known professionally and informally as Colonel Speck. “

The son of a prosperous Moravia, New York businessman, Ackerman was normal sized until he reached the age of four years old, whereupon his growth slowed down considerably. His tallest height in adulthood was four feet four inches. Extremely gifted at music he began singing and playing in local amateur theatricals at around age 8 or 9. His first professional engagement was at a local theatre in Owego with the Tremaine Brothers in 1875. He undertook a regional tour with one Mademoiselle Leon the following year. In 1876 he received an offer of work from P.T. Barnum (he had not yet reached his full height). The family turned it down because the boy was only 13. In 1878 he attended a music conservatory in New York City. While there he not only studied, but he performed professionally and became friendly with the happy quartet of General Tom Thumb, Lavinia Warren, her sister Minnie, and her husband Major Newell. 

This association was fortunate, for the following year Warren engaged him as a performer with one of the many Lilliputian Opera Companies which toured all over the U.S. and Canada. In 1882 the company folded when their unscrupulous manager fled with the box office take, stranding them in Chicago. They played another season as the Pigmie Picnic Party [sic] under new management and then disbanded. Following this, Speck worked for several months in solo engagements, but overworked himself to the point that he permanently blew out his voice and was forced to retire from show business.

Fortunately he had inherited his father’s acumen as an entrepreneur, and became a successful local businessman in Moravia and surrounding towns operating a photography studio, a telephone exchange and a bus line. He also kept a hand in performing as the Drum Major of a local brass band, Huff’s Cornet Band, which played parades, fairs and other events. For all the information you will ever need on this interesting character, I recommend The Drum Major of Company A: A Biography of Fleming W. Ackerman a.k.a. Colonel Speck by Frank S. Foti.”

Speck was well-known worldwide as evidenced by a reference from the National Library of Australia from June 21, 1906 that reads:

“The smallest photographer in the world is supposed to be Col. Speck of Moravia, NY. His height is 3ft 4 in and weighs only 78lbs. While being a successful photographer in his native town he is also the United States Express Co.’s Agent in Moravia and the Manager of the Telephone Exchange. He is a bright business man and well respected by a very large circle of close friends.” 

In the first image we see Colonel Speck posed arm in arm with a lovely young woman. Both formally dressed the stylish studio that fits them perfectly. The image is by Knight Photographic Studios, Auburn, NY. It has very nice contrast and tones with a spot on his legs and to the left, which appears to possibly be in the original negative. The second image shows an older Speck looking quite confident and dressed to the nines. He has had a successful career and we love the slight tuck of his hand in his jacket as he poses semi-profile. The tones and contrast are great with some wear as seen, and is by Tuthill & Teed, Moravia, NY. The cabinet card of the gentleman with the wavy hair, long mustache and cool tie is by McFarlin & Speck, Moravia, NY. The image has strong tones and contrast with some lightness on the perimeter. He is identified on the back but we can only read his last name of Andrews. The portrait of the woman is by also by Speck by later, when Colonel Speck opened his own studio after dissolving his partnership. It is lighter in tones as seen but is in very good condition. It reads, Speck, Best Finish, 1888, Moravia, N.Y. Don’t miss this rare grouping of the “world’s smallest photographer” of the 19^th century!