Rose Coghlan: Stage Actress

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Beautiful stage actress, Rose Coghlan (1851-1932) is the subject of this photographic portrait by celebrity photographer, Jose Mora. Coghlan was an Irish actress who began her theatrical career in both England and the United States in the 1870’s. The IBDB  reports that Coghlan appeared in 21 Broadway productions beginning in 1872. These plays included The School for Scandal (1909) and Vanity Fair (1911). She also appeared in Oscar Wilde’s A Woman of No Importance (1893) which was not on Broadway. In 1902 she became a naturalized American citizen. In addition to theater, Coghlan raised livestock on her ranch in Montana. The reverse of this card has a pencilled note indicating that this photograph was taken while Rose Coghlan appeared in “Jealous Wife” (1878).

Published in: on December 20, 2008 at 2:51 pm  Comments (3)  
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Intriguing Woman in Vienna

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The subject of this cabinet card has a very intriguing appearance. She is young, attractive and mysterious. The reverse of the Cabinet card presents even more to ponder. Glued to the back of this Cabinet card is a vintage photograph of a Black family. Are the photos related or is there another explanation? I believe that this Cabinet card comes from the studio of R Krziwanek of Vienna, Austria. I am not sure of my translation,  so any help in identifying the photographer and studio location would be appreciated.

Published in: on December 19, 2008 at 3:22 pm  Comments (1)  
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Black Woman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Edith S. Miles poses in this photograph at the Original Fowler Studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “Compliments of Edith S. Miles” is written on the reverse of the card. She is beautifully dressed and her hair has been nicely styled for her day at the photographer.

Published in: on December 18, 2008 at 7:57 pm  Comments (1)  
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Lina Merville: Burlesque Queen

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This Cabinet card photograph presents Lina Merville, a burlesque star. More research is required to learn more of her biographical details, so at least for now, a picture has to be worth a thousand words. The photographer is Emil Scholl of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Published in: on December 17, 2008 at 10:43 pm  Comments (4)  
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ALWINA VALLERIA: OPERA STAR

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Alwina Valleria (1848-1925) is seen in full costume in this cabinet photograph by Cooper of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Valleria was the first American-born singer to appear in principal roles with the Metropolitan Opera. She was a soprano.  Born in Baltimore, she attended the Royal Academy of Music in London. She made her operatic debut in St Petersburg in 1871 and sang in Europe until 1879 when she first appeared in America singing Marguerite in Faust with the James Henry Mapleson company. In 1883 she first appeared at the Metropolitan Opera and she was New York City’s first Micaela in Carmen in 1878. She retired from the stage in 1886 and died in France in 1925.

Published in: on December 13, 2008 at 6:41 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Young Black Girl in West Chester, Pennsylvania

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This very cute and expressive Black child is posing for this terrific Cabinet card. She doesn’t look like she’s sure how she feels about being in front of the camera. The photographer is Grubb of West Chester, Pennsylvania. To view additional photographs by Grubb, click on this site’s “Photographer: Grubb” category.

Published in: on December 12, 2008 at 8:22 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Frankie Kemble: Stage Actress

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Frankie Kemble, stage actress, is seen in this Cabinet card by Benjamin Falk of New York City.  Falk was a very well known photographer who specialized in photographing theatrical celebrities. I have yet to find much information about Kemble except that she did reach “stardom”. This beautiful actress appeared in a number of plays including “Sybil” (1888) and “The Mikado  (1885).

Published in: on December 12, 2008 at 4:08 pm  Comments (2)  
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Black Woman in Buffalo, New York

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This is a terrific photograph of an attractive Black woman wearing a nice broach and earrings. Her hair is nicely styled. The photographer is Bliss Brothers of Buffalo, New York. The Bliss brothers, Harry (b 1866) and Frank (b 1858) were sons of Horace Bliss. The elder Bliss came to Buffalo in about 1854 and learned the photography business. In 1859 he established a photographic gallery which he ran until poor health caused him to retire in 1886. The brothers succeeded their father and established the studio under the name of Bliss Brothers. The source of the biographical information about the Bliss Brothers is the book, Our County and Its People (1898). To view other images by the Bliss Brothers, click on the category “Photographer: Bliss Brothers”. 

Published in: on December 12, 2008 at 1:46 am  Leave a Comment  
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ALICE LINGARD: BRITISH STAGE ACTRESS

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This Cabinet photoograph is of Alice Lingard (1847-1897) a British stage actress and singer. She performed in both London and New York. She was married to mimic and music hall star Dickie Lingard and the drama of their marital problems was well reported by the press. The cabinet card comes from the studio of Jose Mora of New York, famed theater star photographer. You can see other cards from Mora by clicking on the Category listing, Mora.

Published in: on December 10, 2008 at 11:52 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Black Woman in Buffalo, New York

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This Cabinet photo is a portrait of a Black woman photographed by Bliss Brothers Portrait Studio in Buffalo, New York. To view other photographs by the Bliss Brothers, click on the category “Photographer: Bliss Brothers”.

Published in: on December 10, 2008 at 5:27 pm  Leave a Comment  
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