MARGARET HALSTON: BEAUTIFUL SHAKESPEARIAN ACTRESS AND FILM STAR

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Margaret Halston, in her role as Desdemona in Othello, is the subject of Postcard 1. The card was published by Percy Guttenberg of Manchester, England. The postcard is part of the “Revival Series” (no.122). Margaret Halston (1879-1967) was an English actress born in London, England as Clara Maud Hertz. A number of references mention that she was of Jewish descent. She was known for both theater, film, and television performances. Among her popular performances was in “Tell Your Children” (1922), “The Holly and the Ivy” 1952, and “Touch and Go” (1955). She began her acting career in amateur theatre and she made her professional stage debut at the Haymarket Theater in 1895. Her roles became larger over time until she became a leading actress appearing in plays such as  ‘Hamlet   ‘ (1896), “Antony and Cleopatra” (1897), and “The Taming of the Shrew” (1897). At the turn of the century she became part of Frank Benson’s theatre group and took numerous roles in Shakespearian theatre. It is reported that she acted in almost all of Shakespeare’s plays. She later worked in George Alexander and Herbert Beerbohm-Tree’s theater groups. She became involved in film in 1916 when she made her debut with “A Bunch of Violets”. Over the next few years she appeared in a small number of silent movies. She adapted well to sound films and appeared in a number of them. IMDB credits her with appearing in sixteen films between 1917 and 1956. The site also lists three television credits between 1938 and 1955. Miss Halstan was certainly an entertainment star. It is interesting to note that she twice played in the role of “Queen of Transylvania” in the theatrical production of “My Fair Lady” (1957-1958, 1961-1963). There are three portraits of her in the National Portrait Gallery.

Postcard 2 features Margaret Halston, in her role in “As You Like It”. She is the subject of this real photo postcard published by Percy Guttenberg of Manchester, England. The postcard is part of the “Revival Series” (no.122). The photographer of this image is Alexander Percy Guttenberg (1870-?). He came from a family that produced a number of photographers. His father, Marcus Guttenberg (1828-1891) began as a daguerreotypist in Hungary, Prussia, Poland and Germany before starting a photography business in England (1851). One source reports that he established 24 studios in England but settled in the Manchester area. Percy, like his father, was also very successful. In fact, there are fourteen of his photographs in England’s National Portrait Gallery. Percy was famous for his work photographing actors and actresses. This portrait postcard, is in excellent condition (see scans). 

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DORA BARTON : ENGLISH FILM ACTRESS : TWO PORTRAITS : RPPC

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Image 1 - DORA BARTON : FILM ACTRESS : ROTARY PHOTO : RPPC  (1904)Postcard 2  (SOLD)

 

This wonderful vintage real photo postcard (Postcard 1) captures actor Mr. Charles Garry and actress Dora Barton (1880-1966) in a dramatic scene from the play “Ivanhoe”. Ivanhoe was a dramatization by William Palmer of Walter Scott’s novel.Dora Barton plays Rebecca while Charles Garry plays the role of Isaac of York. Both actors later had film careers. This photograph does an incredible job of capturing the performers emotions. The photographer of this image was well known for his talent and family ties. Alexander Percy Guttenberg (1870-?) came from a family that produced a number of photographers. His father, Marcus Guttenberg (1828-1891) began as a daguerreotypist in Hungary, Prussia, Poland and Germany before starting a photography business in England (1851). One source reports that he established 24 studios in England but settled in the Manchester area. Percy, like his father, was also very successful. In fact, there are fourteen of his photographs in England’s National Portrait Gallery. Percy was famous for his work photographing actors and actresses. The image above was photographed at his Queen’s Theater studio in Manchester as part of a “Revival Series”. The postcard has been mailed and is postmarked in Sunderland in the year 1909. Sunderland is in the northeast of England.

Postcard 2 features a portrait of Dora Barton. Barton, an English actress, appeared in films between 1916 and 1938. Her mother and her sister were also actresses. The IMDb reports that Barton appeared in 12 films. She also appeared in a Broadway show in 1902. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.1654C). Barton’s photo portrait was done by Alexander Bassano. Bassano (1829 –1913) was a leading royal and high society photographer in Victorian London. The postcard has a 1904 postmark.  (SOLD)

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PORTRAIT OF CELEBRATED ACTOR HARCOURT WILLIAMS APPEARING IN OTHELLO

othello This vintage real photo postcard features celebrated English actor and director Ernest George Harcourt Williams (1880-1957). After early experience working in touring companies, Williams became the director of the old Vic Theater. He held that position between 1929 and 1934 but continued to act there after he left the position. While director at the Vic, he recruited the great actor, John Gielgud to perform there. Williams acted in many plays with many well known actors and actresses. He performed in a number of plays by Shakespeare.This particular postcard shows Mr. Williams in a production of Othello. Note that the postcard reflects the Edwardian preference for portraying Othello as a North African Arab. In the latter part of Wiliams’s career, he appeared in about thirty film and television roles. This postcard was published by Percy Guttenberg in Manchester, England. Guttenberg was well known for this theatrical portraits.  This vintage real photo postcard features celebrated English actor and director Ernest George Harcourt Williams (1880-1957). After early experience working in touring companies, Williams became the director of the old Vic Theater. The held that position between 1929 and 1934 but continued to act there after he left the position. While director at the Vic, he recruited the great actor, John Gielgud to perform there. Williams acted in many plays with many well known actors and actresses. He performed in a number of plays by Shakespeare.This particular postcard shows Mr. Williams in a production of Othello. Note that the postcard reflects the Edwardian preference for portraying Othello as a North African Arab. Guttenberg published a photo postcard featuring Margaret Halston, another performer who appeared in Othello. Her portrait can be viewed by placing the word “Halston” in this site’s search box. In the latter part of Wiliams’s career, he appeared in about thirty film and television roles. This postcard was published by Percy Guttenberg in Manchester, England. Gutteberg was well known for this theatrical portraits. (SOLD)

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