American Toby Jug Museum 

Little Nell & Little Dorrit thimbles produced by Francesca China of Longton, England, circa 1985. Nelly Trent, known as Little Nell, is the central character from Charles Dickens' novel "The Old Curiosity Shop". She lives with her gambling-addicted, mentally infirm grandfather, the owner of the Old Curiosity Shop. When he falls into the clutches of Daniel Quilp, the evil dwarf who lends money to the old man, she helps him escape London. The hardships endured during their wanderings are too much for the delicate Nell and she dies in a quiet village where she and her grandfather had gained employment. "Little Dorrit" is a novel by Charles Dickens, originally published in serial form between 1855 and 1857. The story features Amy Dorrit, youngest child of her family, born and raised in the Marshalsea prison for debtors in London. Arthur Clennam encounters her after returning home from a 20-year absence, ready to begin his life anew. The novel satirizes some shortcomings of both government and society, including the institution of debtors' prisons, where debtors were imprisoned, unable to work and yet incarcerated until they had repaid their debts.