This photograph captures an attractive dancer in an unusual pose. She is doing a split, which is a very risque pose for this time era. The woman is likely a professional dancer but it is possible that she is just a very athletic, and provocative young lady. There is no identification available of the young woman or of the photographer and studio. Perhaps a visitor to the Cabinet Card Gallery will recognize the dancer and leave a comment concerning her identity. SOLD
This cabinet card features a pretty young actress wearing, what appears to be, a rain slicker hat. The photograph is a bit risque for its time. The actress’s neckline may not be plunging, but it leaves a lot uncovered. She was photographed at the studio of celebrity photographer, D. H. Anderson, in New York City.
First of all, who is Boullard? After viewing this cabinet card, the logical guess is that she is a stage performer. However, research has failed to discover any biographical information about this scantily clad woman. This photo is risque for the era it was published; even though she is wearing a body stocking underneath her costume. The cabinet card was produced for Newsboy (New York), as part of a series of premiums offered with the purchase of Newsboy’s tobacco products. This cabinet card is number 122 in the series. To view other photographs by Newsboy, click on the category “Newsboy”. UPDATE: Further research turned up the following information about the mysterious actress that is the subject of this photograph. I can’t believe it took me three years to learn her first name. America: A Journal for Americans (1890) announced the appearance of Miss Marie Boullard in “Flying Dancer” at the Chicago Opera House. Prior to this appearance she had been dancing at a theater in New York City. (SOLD)
This cabinet card features an unidentified flower adorned actress. She is photographed by Falk, a well known celebrity photographer in New York City. The photograph is dated 1886. To view other photographs by Falk, click on the category “Photographer: Falk”. ADDENDUM: An informed visitor to the cabinet card gallery has identified this actress as Belle Archer (see comment below).
A young woman poses for her portrait at the studio of Filson & Son in Steubenville, Ohio. The woman is likely a stage actress and is dressed in a somewhat daring fashion. She is carrying a picnic basket as she prepares to walk through a swung open gate. The basket has a checkered napkin covering the food she is carrying. To learn more about the Filson & Son studio, and to see other photographs by Filson, click on the category “Photographer: Filson”.
Ella Campbell is a pretty woman. This cabinet card, photographed by The Sparks Photo-Publishing Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; is quite risque for its era. The short outfit that Ms Campbell is wearing, exposes a lot more of her legs than one would expect. Perhaps there was a shortage of material available for her dress. That is not a likely explanation. More likely, the Sparks Company knew that a sexy photograph would increase sales of this image of a lesser known actress. Wait a second! Is this woman really an actress named Ella Campbell? The only evidence available is the writing on the reverse of the card which states “Ella Campbell”. Research yields no information about an actress with this name. Further investigation is required. To view other photographs of actresses by Sparks, click on the category “Photographer: Sparks Photo Publishing Co.”.
A young woman poses for her portrait at the studio of Anderson, in New York City. She is beautifully dressed and extremely attractive. Unfortunately, she is unidentified. It is likely that a woman with such great beauty and poise, photographed by celebrity photographer, D. H. Anderson; is an actress. There is a name written on the reverse of the cabinet card. The handwriting is not clearly legible but it appears to say “Marjorcni”. Research has yielded no relevant information pertaining to identifying this image. Assistance in identifying the person in this photograph would be appreciated. The knowledgeable and helpful visitors to the cabinet card gallery have solved a number of similar mysteries in the past.
Annie Robe, stage actress, is the subject of this cabinet card portrait by celebrity photographer, Sarony. Sarony’s studio was located in New York City. Robe was known for her beauty, and this photograph confirms that she was quite attractive. Note her cape and matching handbag. It is possible that the “handbag” is actually a hat. Hopefully, one of Cabinet Card Gallery’s fashion experts will resolve the confusion with one of consistently informative comments. Annie Robe was the leading lady of Wallack’s Theatre for several seasons. Initial research yielded little biographical information. One article reports that she was English. The New York Times (1887) describes her work in “Harbor Lights” as commendable.
This cabinet card features actress, Lizzie Burton. Research yielded little information about her and the search was hampered because references to Elizabeth Taylor Burton kept surfacing. The few articles about Lizzie Burton that were found, seem to indicate that she was a minor comic opera actress. She appeared with the Boston Ideal Opera Company which existed between 1879 and 1904. A review of “The Musketeer”, which appeared in tNew York Times (1885), offered praise for her performance in a minor role. The “Musketeer”, Varney’s comic opera, had been performed at New York’s Fifth Avenue Theatre. This cabinet card was published by Wells & Co., a New York City photographic studio.
This cabinet card features a young smiling woman lying on a fainting couch. This image is quite risque for its time. The style and folds of the woman’s dress, her exposed feet, her smile and her body language all contribute to the provocativeness of this image. Fainting couches were popular in the 19th century and used predominately by woman. They are couches with a back that is traditionally raised at one end. There are two major theories as to why these type of couches became popular. The first theory was that some women wore their corsets so tight, that they restricted blood flow; causing fainting. This theory has pretty much been debunked. A second theory was that the couch was popular because many women of that time suffered from “female hysteria”. This medical condition caused symptoms that included faintness, nervousness, and insomnia. The illness was treated by “pelvic massage”. The couch was a great setting for hysterical woman to receive the treatment from visiting physicians and midwives. This female psychiatric illness sounds very much like an anxiety attack, and Xanax and Ativan seem to have replaced “pelvic massage” on a fainting couch. The photographer of this cabinet card was J. B. Wilson of Chicago, Illinois. To view other photographs by Wilson, click on the category “Photographer: Wilson (JB)”. The subject of this photograph may have been an actress.
 | bravelyface98abaf6de… on VICTORIAN WOMAN PORTRAIT : SEB… |
| bravelyface98abaf6de… on VICTORIAN WOMAN PORTRAIT : SEB… |
 | josephgg10 on CAMP LINCOLN, ILLINOIS : US AR… |
 | rickgillmore on LILY RIMMA : STAGE ACTRESS : R… |
 | Arnold on LYDIA WEST : PRETTY BRITISH ST… |
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 