THE CABINET CARD GALLERY

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Postcard 1 features celebrated stage actress Miss Lily Elsie (1886-1962). At the time of her portrait sitting for this image, Miss Elsie was also known as “Mrs. Ian Bullugh”. More about that later. Lily Elsie was a very popular English actress and singer. She was most known for her starring role in the London production of “The Merry Widow (1907)”. The show ran for 778 performances. A critic for The Pelican (1907) wrote that “the youthfulness, the dainty charm and grace, the prettiness and the exquisite dancing with which Miss Elsie invests the part…. I share the opinion of most of the first-nighters, who considered it could not have been in better hands, and could not have been better handled…. The night was a genuine triumph for Miss Elsie, and she well deserved all the calls she received”. She began as a child actress and before her big break had appeared in a number of Edwardian musical comedies. She was charming and beautiful and became one of the most photographed actresses of her time. Lily Elsie’s dad was a theater worker and her aunt was well known actress Ada Reeve. Shortly after the turn of the century she joined George Edwardes’ company at the Daly Theater. Some of her early appearances included “A Chinese Honeymoon”, “Lady Madcap”, “The Little Michus (1905)”. In the years between 1900 and 1906 she appeared in 14 shows. After the “Merry Widow” she appeared in  26 more shows including “The Dollar Princess” (1909) and “A Waltz Dream” (1911). She clearly was an actress who was in demand. Men paid her much attention but apparently she did not enjoy the attention. Lucile, her costume designer for “The Merry Widow” stated that Elsie was “absolutely indifferent to men and had once said that she disliked “the male character”. She added that men would only behave well if a woman “treated them coldly”. Now, some words about her marriage. In 1911 she he left the cast of a play in which she was performing to marry Major John Ian Bullough (1885–1936). Major Bullough was the son of a wealthy textile manufacturer. He was formerly married to actress Maude Darrell who only survived one year after their 1909 marriage. The marriage between Elsie and Bullough was reported to be very unhappy. Elsie’s health began to deteriorate and her husband pressured her to quit the stage and she was ready to do so. She returned to the stage during the war years (World War I) and was active in fund raising for the war effort. She next took a ten year break from the stage only to return once again. Her final performance took place in the Daly Theater in the play “The Truth Game” (1929). In addition to her theater career, Elsie made recordings, and appeared in two films, including D. W. Griffith’s “The Great Love” (1918). Also appearing in that film was Lillian Gish. In 1930 Elsie’s marriage ended in divorce. Her health began to deteriorate more and she developed hypochondriasis causing her to spend much time in nursing homes and sanitariums. Due to her psychological problems she had brain surgery. Her final years were spent at St. Andrews hospital in London. This postcard is part of a series (Arcadian no. A 26). The photographer of this image of this beautiful actress is the well known celebrity photographer, Rita Martin. She was considered one of the best British photographers of her time. She opened her studio in 1906. Martin’s sister, Lallie Charles was an esteemed society photographer. Many of Rita’s photographs can be found in the National Portrait Gallery. To view more photographs by Rita Martin in the cabinet card gallery, click on the category “Photographer: Martin”.

The second postcard of Miss Elsie provides a terrific close-up photograph of the beautiful Miss Elsie. She is wearing a dark jacket, a frilly high collared blouse and a ribbon bow tie. Her accessories include a long necklace, a pin low on her blouse, and a corsage. The postcard is part of the Rotary Photographic Series (no. 4159 J) published by Rotary Photo. The photograph was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield Studio. Foulsham & Banfield were well known celebrity photographers. Frank Foulsham and A. C. Banfield operated a studio in the 1900’s through the 1920’s.

The third postcard features Lily Elsie clutching a bouquet of flowers and glancing sideways at the photographer. She looks absolutely beautiful. She is wearing a fancy beaded dress and a bracelet. She stands in front of a window. This photograph, like the second postcard’s photo, was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio. The portrait postcard was published by Rotary Photo and is part of a series (11840 F). The postcard was printed in Britain.

The fourth postcard is a portrait of a smiling Lily Elsie. She is wearing a flower, beads (pearls?), and a hairband. This photograph was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio. The portrait postcard was published by Rotary Photo and is part of a series (11593 B). This postcard captures Miss Elsie in her role as Alice in “The Dollar Princess” (1909).  The venue for the play was Daly’s Theater in London and cast members included Joseph Coyne, Gabrielle Ray, Emmy Wehlen, and Gladys Cooper.  (SOLD)

Postcard 5 is a portrait postcard of Miss Elsie that provides a terrific close-up photograph of the stage beauty. The postcard is part of the Rotary Photographic Series (no.11841D) published by Rotary Photo. The photograph was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield Studio. Foulsham & Banfield were well known celebrity photographers. Frank Foulsham and A. C. Banfield operated a studio in the 1900’s through the 1920’s.   (SOLD)

Postcard 6 was published by Rotary Photo and is part of a series (4484D). The photographer of this image of this beautiful actress are the well known celebrity photographers, Foulsham & Banfield. The card was postmarked in 1907.   (SOLD)

Postcard 7 is a vintage real photo postcard featuring  celebrated stage actress Miss Lily Elsie (1886-1962) in costume for her role in “The Merry Widow” (1907). This postcard was published by Rotary Photo and is part of a series (4827U). The photographers of this image of this beautiful actress are the well known celebrity photographers, Foulsham & Banfield. The card was postmarked in 1908.  (SOLD)

Postcard 8  features celebrated stage actress Miss Lily Elsie (1886-1962) in costume for her role in “The Merry Widow” (1907).This postcard was published by Rotary Photo and is part of a series (4827J). The photographers of this image of this beautiful actress are the well known celebrity photographers, Foulsham & Banfield. The card was postmarked in 1909. This postcard has an interesting message. The writer appears to be having difficult times. She opens the message with the announcement that she can’t afford to send anymore postcards because her “cash is nearly gone”. She also complains about the “rotten weather”. (SOLD)

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