Jessie Bartlett Davis: American Actress and Opera Singer

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Jessie Bartlett Davis (1859?-1905) was an American actress and operatic singer from Illinois who was billed as “America’s Representative Contralto”.  Her father was a farmer and country school master and she was one of ten children. She was discovered when she was performing locally and was taken by traveling managers to perform on the west coast.  In 1879 she made her debut in the opera H.M.S. Pinafore. She performed with several opera companies before joining the new Boston Ideal Opera and remained with this troupe until 1901 performing as their prima donna. She is most well known for her role as Alan a-Dale in the 1890 opera Robin Hood. She also toured performing opera in Europe one season and in 1897 she opened on Broadway in The Serenade. She played Broadway again in 1903 in Jakobowski”s operetta Erminie. This versatile performer also performed vaudeville, wrote songs, stories and poems. She had a home in Chicago and summer home in Indiana where she raised horses, collies and fox terriers. In 1905 she died of Brights disease and is buried in Chicago. The photographer of this portrait is renowned theatrical photogarpher Benjamin J Falk of New York City.

Published in: on January 6, 2009 at 7:43 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Turkish Family Poses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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A Turkish family is posing in their traditional garb for photographer L.A. Sawyer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cabinet cards capture history and this photograph represents the building of America through immigration. How did this family adapt to life in this country? What issues did they face? Lots of questions and no answers. We can only imagine or read about the struggles of other immigrant families. The inscription below the photograph appears to indicate that this family comes from Bitlis, Turkey. Bitlis is located in southeastern Turkey, southwest of Lake Van and 4600 feet above sea level. It is rich in history, having been controlled by Arab dynasties, Byzantines, Persians and Mongolians. By the 14th century it became part of the Kurdish dynasty and was very autonomous until 1847 when it became part of the Ottoman empire. During World War I, the city was occupied by the Russians. The occupation had adverse impact on Bitlis; it reduced its population and damaged their weaving and dyeing industries.

Published in: on December 23, 2008 at 3:37 am  Comments (1)  
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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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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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“Be Good and You Will Be Lonesome”: Lovely Woman in London

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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.

Published in: on December 16, 2008 at 2:26 pm  Comments (1)  
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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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Musical Performing Troupe in Asbury Park, New Jersey

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This Cabinet card is a photograph of a Musical Performing Troupe in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Asbury Park became a borough in 1874 and a city in 1897. Asbury Park was a seaside community and a boardwalk was built which attracted many visitors. The city is known for its rich musical history.

Published in: on December 11, 2008 at 11:54 pm  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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ADORABLE GIRL IN COSTUME

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What is the story behind this interesting photograph? We see a very cute young girl posing for her portrait in an unusual costume? She is holding some sort of “stick” in her hand. Is it a riding crop? Is she wearing riding attire from her time period (turn of the century)? Please leave a comment with any ideas you may have about her clothing or the “stick” she is holding. The photographer is Perrtz of York, Pennsylvania. To view other photographs by Perrtz, click on the category “Photographer: Perrtz”.

Published in: on December 9, 2008 at 12:10 am  Comments (5)  
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