Image 1 (Cabinet Card) features British actress, Lillie Langtry (1853-1929). She was born on the island of Jersey, was known as the “Jersey Lily”, and was known for her beauty. She had many prominent lovers including the future King of England, Edward VII. At 20 years of age she married a wealthy Irish landowner, Edward Langtry and quickly became part of London’s high society. Due to her great beauty, she became a sought after model for a number of well known portrait painters. Beginning 1877, she had a three year affair with the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward. At the suggestion of close friend, Oscar Wilde, she began a stage career. She made her debut in “She Stoops to Conquer” (1881) at the Haymarket Theatre in London. She then embarked on the first of many United States theatre tours where she was a resounding success. She continued to have a number of affairs including a relationship with New York City millionaire, Frederic Gebhard with whom she became very involved in the sport of thoroughbred horse racing. In 1897 she became an American citizen. She is known as one of the early celebrities to make money endorsing commercial products. Among the products she advertised were cosmetics and soap. The photographer of this cabinet card is famed celebrity photographer, Mora, of New York City. The image was copyrighted in 1884. To see other images by Mora, click on this site’s category of “Photographer: Mora”. SOLD
Image 2 is a charming and scarce “Midget Post Card” features a portrait of the famous actress Lily Langtry, one of the most celebrated stage actresses and social figures of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The front of the card shows Langtry in an elegant studio portrait wearing a large decorative hat adorned with ribbon and feather, dressed in elaborate period costume typical of her theatrical roles and society portraits. The postcard was published by Rotary Photographic Series. Rotary was a major British postcard publisher active in the early 1900s and is well known for producing high-quality photographic postcards of actresses, actors, and notable public figures. The card is marked “Midget Post Card,” a smaller novelty postcard format that was popular in the early 20th century. SOLD
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