IMAGE 1
IMAGE 2 (SOLD)
Viola Allen (1869-1948) was an American theater and silent film actress who acted in roles between 1882-1919. She was born in Alabama and was the daughter of an actor. Her first stage appearance in New York City was at age 14 when she substituted for the ill Annie Russell who was playing the title role of Esmeralda at Madison Square Theater. Allen’s father was also a member of the cast. Allen appeared in many productions including Masqueraders, Twelfth Night, Under the Red Robe, The Christian, and the Winter Tale. Her most popular roles were in Shenendoah and Little Lord Fauntleroy.
Image 1 has writing on its reverse that indicates that this image is shows Allen playing the role of Dolores in “In The Palace of the King” (1901). The photographer of this Cabinet Card was the studio of Sands & Brady in Providence, Rhode Island.
Image 2 is an early antique postcard portrait of Miss Allen showing Allen in a soft, elegant bust-length portrait, wearing a light draped garment and looking directly toward the camera. The image has a refined theatrical-publicity quality typical of early 1900s actress and stage-star postcards. The reverse is an undivided-back postcard. The left edge reads: “Collection of Leading Artists of the American Stage. Only Authorized Publishers, Darwin D. Silbert, P.O. Station D, N.Y.” Because the reverse is undivided, I would date the card to approximately 1901–1907, before divided-back postcards became standard in the United States. This is a nice early American stage actress postcard. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 