Lord William Cavendish-Bentinck was the 6th Duke of Portland and was a conservative British politician. He held office as Master of the Horse under Lord Salisbury (1886-1892 and 1895-1902) and under Arthur Balfour (1902-1905). From 1898 until 1939 he served as Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire. At the coronation of King George VI he carried the crown of Queen Elizabeth. He was also known for owing a stable of Thoroughbred race horses which included some well known and successful horses. The photographic studio that produced this Cabinet Card is Elliott & Fry of London, England. This Victorian photographic studio and photographic film manufacturer was founded in 1863 by Joseph John Elliott and Clarence Edmund Fry. For an entire century the studio took and published images of leading Victorian luminaries from the fields of science, public service, art, politics as well as celebrities of the day. Famous Edwardian photographer working for the studio included Francis Henry Hart and Alfred James Philpott. Most of the early negatives from this studio were destroyed in the bombing of London during World War II. The surviving negatives are held by Great Britain’s National Portrait Gallery.
LORD WILLIAM CAVENDISH-BENTINCK, 6TH DUKE OF PORTLAND (1857-1943)
BRITISH ARMY OFFICER AND HIS TWO CHINESE SERVANTS
This Cabinet Card is a portrait of what appears to be a British Army officer flanked by his two Chinese servants. The likely location of this photograph is China, but there is no geographic or photographic studio identifying information to be found on this Cabinet Card.
WOMAN WITH A BANJO ON HER KNEE IN BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND
This Cabinet Card portrait captures a woman posing with a banjo on her knee at a photographers studio in Sparkbrook, England. Ok, so the banjo is not quite on her knee. Is this woman a musician or entertainer of note? Unfortunately, there is no identifying information on the reverse of this photograph, so her identity remains a mystery. Sparkbrook is an inner city area of Birmingham, England. The photographer is Woodcock.
MISS AGNES DELAPORTE AS MERCEDES IN “MONTE CRISTO JR” (1886)
Miss Agnes Delaporte is looking quite beautiful as she poses in her role as Mercedes in “Monte Cristo Jr”. The production first appeared at the Gaiety Theatre in December, 1886. The Cabinet Card was photographed by the Stereoscopic Company in England. The London Stereoscopic Co. billed itself as “Photographers to the Royal Family”. To view other photographics by the London Stereoscopic Company, click on the category “Photographer: London Stereoscopic Company”.
Edith Chester (1861-1894): English Actress
This Cabinet Card photograph captures English Actress Edith Chester (1861-1894). She made her debut in America in 1885. The photograph was done by W & D Downey of London, England. This studio was renowned for celebrity photographs.
“Be Good and You Will Be Lonesome”: Lovely Woman in London
This Cabinet card presents a bit of a mystery. This lovely woman is posing at a studio in London. The name of the studio is difficult to make out but it appears to be Huggins Sisters. The reverse of the card offers further intrigue. Written in pen on the back of the card is the following, “Be good and you will be lonesome”. The quote is signed “Glennie Kirkpatrick” but since her first name is written somewhat illegibly, I am not certain about my accuracy of “Glennie”. Interestingly, the quote originally is attributable to American writer, Mark Twain. If anyone has information that can help shed some more light about the story of this Cabinet card, please leave a comment.
Fraternal Organization Member in Great Britain
Interesting Cabinet card photograph of a member of a Fraternal Organization. He is wearing very elaborate garb which is captured well by the photographer. Is this distinguished looking man a member of a Masonic group? I would appreciate information from anyone who can supply me with this gentleman’s affiliation. The photographer is Wolstenholme of BlackPool and Middleton, England.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 