Download Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype Album

Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype
Album, circa 1875-1885
Overview of the Collection
Title Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype Album
Dates circa 1875-1885 (inclusive)
1870 1890
Quantity 50 photographs (1 album)
Collection Number PH0098
Summary Album of Woodburytype photographs of Victorian actors and
actresses, many with signatures and inscriptions
Repository University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections.
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 206-543-1929
Fax: 206-543-1931
[email protected]
Access Restrictions Access to original photographs restricted. Permission of curator
required for viewing. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Languages English
Historical Background
Walter Bentley Woodbury (1834-1885) patented his Woodburytype process in 1864, as a means of
mass producing photographic prints to be used in book illustrations and magazines. Woodbury was
able to develop a process using non-light-sensitive materials to produce highly detailed prints which
appear very similar to silver based photographs, but that do not fade over time. The quality of the
pictures was remarkable, with no grain, and the process was widely used until the turn of the century.
The process was expensive and later replaced by other processes, such as photogravure, collotype,
and offset lithography.
The process for making a Woodburytype print was first to spread a thick layer of light sensitized
gelatin mixed with carbon pigment onto a glass sheet. A photograph negative was then laid over it and
exposed to light. After the exposure, it was washed and the unhardened (unexposed) gelatin washed
away. This left a thick layer of gelatin in the darker areas and a thinner layer in the lighter areas of
the image. This was hardened and dried before being put in a press with a lead sheet, to produce a
matching indentation in the lead. A translucent mixture of pigments suspended in warm gelatin was
poured onto this relief surface and this pigment layer was then transferred onto paper. The thick and
thin areas of gelatin, along with the white of the paper produce a wide range of tones. The thickness
and translucency of the pigment layer provides a kind of color that a conventional flat deposit of ink
cannot achieve.
Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype Album, circa
1875-1885
http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv34439
1
During the Victorian period, the stage produced celebrities similar to movie stars today. Americans
had more leisure time and better standards of living, and they looked to the theater to provide
entertainment. The expanding transportation system in the United States allowed actors and actresses
to tour the country, bringing professional theater to many towns and cities that had never before
experienced it. As the population of the country grew, the number of theaters in large and mid-size
cities grew as well. Strongly influenced by London theater, America inherited the "star system" from
Great Britain. Stock theater companies were established in large cities on the East Coast and in New
Orleans. The cast was then supplemented by visiting theatrical stars, who toured the country. Stock
companies were self-sufficient and mounted productions on their own when no star was visiting, but by
the 1840s, so many stars were touring the United States that most companies were rarely without the
services of at least one well-known actor or actress. Some of the most famous performers were Ellen
Terry, Edward Terry, and Marion Terry, W. H. Kendal and Madge Robertson Kendal, Lillie Langtry,
Helena Modjeska, Lillian Adelaide Neilson, J. L. Toole, and Violet Cameron.
The presentation album includes the Woodburytype prints that were originally released in a monthly
magazine titled The Theatre: A Monthly Review and Magazine published by Wyman & Sons, London.
This magazine produced articles regarding dramatic criticism, reviews of theatrical performances from
around Europe and updates as to where popular actors and actresses were and what productions
or companies they were currently involved in. The Woodburytype prints appeared in a segment
titled "Portraits" that focused on individual actors and actresses and included a brief biography of the
performer, their past repertoire and theatrical reviews. The presentation album pages have gold frames
to highlight the picture and the inscription that are from various volumes and series of this magazine.
Content Description
A presentation album containing 50 Woodburytype photographs and accompanying autographs of
famous Victorian stage actors and actresses. The photographs were made in the late 1870s and early
1880s.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University
of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative Information
Custodial History
Originally donated to University of Washington School of Drama Library. Transferred to Special
Collections at an unknown time.
Acquisition Information
Gift of John L. Scott
Processing Note
Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype Album, circa
1875-1885
http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv34439
2
Processed by Laura Pasztor, 2005, and Megan Peacock, 2006; revised by Stefanie Terasaki, 2012.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Album
Item
1
1
Marie Litton[view]
Inscribed below photo: Very truly yours. Marie Litton.
Marie Litton was an actress and theatre manager of St.
James and Royal Court theatres in London.
circa 1875-1885
1
2
Violet Cameron also known as Violet Lydia
Thompson[view]
Inscribed below photo: "I Miss My Turkey's "Glon Glon,"
"The Mascotte - Violet Cameron.
Violet Cameron (1862-1919) began her career as a child
performer in 1871 and as an adult, performed in the British
and American stage theatre.
circa 1890s
1
3
Marie Litton Robertson[view]
Inscribed below: Can one desire too much of a good
thing? As You Like It
Marie Litton was an actress and theatre manager of St.
James and Royal Court theatres in London. She married
Wybrow Robertson.
circa 1875-1885
1
4
Ellen Terry[view]
Inscribed below: Come Merchant have you anything to
say? Portia- Ellen Terry
Ellen Terry was a prominent Bristish Shakespearean stage
actress. One of her most famous roles was Portia from the
Merchant of Venice.
circa 1875-1885
1
5
Sarah Bernhardt[view]
Sarah Bernhardt was a French stage and film actress
known for her dramatic roles and acting.
Inscribed below: BrilliantText not shown on front but found
on another version: The Theatre, No. 11, New Series.
Photographed by Melandri, Paris.
circa 1879
1
6
Howard Vernon[view]
Howard Vernon was a comedic actor who later turned to
singing and performing in operettas.
Inscribed below: Very Truly Yours
circa 1875-1885
Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype Album, circa
1875-1885
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7
Francis Cowley Burnand[view]
A comedic playwright and author, Francis Burnand was an
important contributor to the satirical magazine, Punch .
Inscribed below: [ill.] (greeting?) - F.C. Burnand
circa 1875-1885
1
8
Henry James Byron[view]
Henry James Byron was a British playwright, journalist and
director.
Inscribed below: Yours Sincerely, Mr. Byron
circa 1875-1885
1
9
George Grossmith[view]
George Grossmith was a comedian and actor as well as a
composer of musical comedies.
Inscribed below: Yours Faithfully.Text not shown on front
but found on another version: The Theatre, No.16, New
Series. Photographed by Lock & Whitfield, London.
circa 1879
1
10
William Hunter Kendal[view]
W.H. Kendal was a theater manager and comedic actor.
He and his wife Madge Kendal often worked together.
Inscribed below: Thou art the last friend left me upon
Earth. The Falcon. Count Federigo.
circa 1875-1885
1
11
Sarah Bernhardt costumed as Doña Maira de
Neubourg[view]
Inscribed below: in Ruy Blas.Signed as Mdlle.
Bernhardt.Text not shown on front but found on another
version: The Theatre, No. 11, New Series. Photographed
by Melandri, Paris.
circa 1879
1
12
Leonora Braham[view]
Leonora Braham was an opera singer and an actress.
Inscribed below: I can not tell what this love can be, That
cometh to all but not to me. Patience.
circa 1875-1885
1
13
Ellen Terry[view]
Inscribed below: Yours Truly.
circa 1875-1885
1
14
Madge Robertson Kendal
Madge Kendal was known for her acting in comedic and
Shakespearian roles.
circa 1875-1885
1
15
Lillie Langtry[view]
Lillie Langtry was a stage actress and singer.
Inscribed below: Still as a barmaid.
circa 1875-1885
Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype Album, circa
1875-1885
http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv34439
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1
16
Fannie Leslie[view]
Inscribed below: Another notch to mark another day, Ah
me! unlike this knife time cuts away. Robinson Crusoe.
circa 1875-1885
1
17
Fanny Mary Bernard-Beere[view]
Fanny Bernard-Beere was a stage actress.
Inscribed below: Trust me I could do muchDesdemona.Signed as F. Bernard- Beere.
circa 1875-1885
1
18
Margaret Leighton[view]
Margaret Leighton, later Mrs. Margaret Alcott, was an
actress.
Inscribed below: The lyfe so short, the craft so long
to lerne, Th’essay so hard, so sharpe the conquering.
Chaucer.
circa 1875-1885
1
19
Lilian Adelaide Neilson[view]
Lilian Adelaide Neilson, also recognized as Adelaide
Neilson, was an English stage actress who after many
years of success in London moved to the American stage
in 1872.
Inscribed below: Addio! Mio Caro.
circa 1875-1885
1
20
Henry Irving[view]
Henry Irving was a stage actor known for his style of
managing a theater. He was the first actor to be knighted
and worked often with actress Ellen Tracy.
Inscribed below: How like a fawning publican he looks!
Shylock, 1879.
1879
1
21
Hermann Vezin[view]
Hermann Vezin was an American actor and speech
teacher. He acted primarily on the British stage after
moving to London.
Inscribed below: Yours Sincerely.
circa 1875-1885
1
22
Harry B. Conway (H.B. Conway)[view]
Inscribed below: Sincerely yr.
circa 1875-1885
1
23
Thomas Henry Gartside Neville[view]
Henry Neville was an actor and theater manager and was
well known for his roles in melodramas. He also opened
an acting school circa 1878 and wrote a book on the
theater.
Inscribed below: Truly yours.Signed as Henry G.
Neville.Text not shown on front but found on another
circa 1879
Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype Album, circa
1875-1885
http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv34439
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Description
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version: The Theatre No. 13, New Series. Photographed
by Lock & Whitfield, London.
1
24
William Rignold[view]
William Rignold and brother George Rignold were famous
for switching roles mid production due to their similar
appearance and voice. William Rignold later traveled to
Dublin where he would continue his acting career to much
success. He returned to London where his eventual loss of
sight would end his acting career.
Inscribed below: Yours Faithfully.Text not shown on front
but found on another version: The Theatre, No. 17, New
Series. Photographed by Lock & Whitfield, London.
circa 1879
1
25
John T. Raymond also known as John O'Brien[view]
John T. Raymond was an American actor known for his
comedic roles. Here he is pictured in costume for the role
of Colonel Mulberry Sellers for a stage production of Mark
Twain's Gilded Age circa 1874. He changed his name
from John O'Brien to John T. Raymond in later years.
Inscribed below: There’s Millions in it. Col. Mulberry
Sellers.
circa 1875-1885
1
26
Edward O'Connor Terry, Edward William Royce Reddall,
Catherine Candelon, Nellie Farren[view]
These actors were working at the Gaiety Theatre in
London starting in 1876. They were known for their
comedic roles as well as their musical burlesque
performances. Nellie Farren often played the young male
role in such productions while the acting style of the others
was known for its eccentricity.
Inscribed below: We are a merry family.Signed as Edward
Terry, E.W. Royce, Kate Vaughan and E. Farren.
circa 1875-1885
1
27
William Farren[view]
William Farren was a stage actor known for his roles as
the old-man. His son William Farren would later be the
father of Nellie Farren.
Inscribed below: Faithfully yours.
circa 1875-1885
1
28
Charles Warner[view]
Charles Warner was an actor who became popular after
his acclaimed role in Drink in 1879.
Inscribed below: Yours Very Truly.
circa 1875-1885
1
29
Florence St. John costumed as Olivette[view]
circa 1880
Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype Album, circa
1875-1885
http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv34439
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Florence St. John was a muscial burlesque and operetta
singer.
Inscribed below: Indeed! and on whose testimony?
Olivette. Yours very truly.
1
30
Madge Robertson Kendal[view]
Inscribed below: My daily-fading Florio, it is thou hast set
me this hard task. The Lady Giovianna. Madge Kendal
1879.The inscription is from The Falcon by Alfred
Tennyson.
1879
1
31
Geneviève Ward[view]
Geneviève Ward was a operatic soprano and later a stage
actress. In 1921 she became a Dame Commander of the
Order of the British Empire.
Inscribed below: There would be no place in creation
for such women as I, if it were not for such men as you.
Stephanie, Marquise de Mohrivart. Forget me not.Text not
shown on front but found on another version: The Theatre,
No. 4, Third Series. Photographed by Samuel A. Walker.
circa 1879
1
32
Helena Modjeska[view]
Helena Modjeska was an actress known for her roles in
tragedies as well as for her Shakespearian roles. In 1876
she came the United States with her husband and debuted
in San Francisco and New York in 1877 in Adrienne
Lecouvreur by Ernest Legouvé.
Inscribed below: How good they are to like me so
(Adrienne).
circa 1877
1
33
Marion Terry[view]
Like her sister, Ellen Terry, Marion Terry was an actress.
She performed in many performances including those
written by Oscar Wilde.
Inscribed below: Yours Truly.
circa 1875-1885
1
34
Blanche Henri[view]
Inscribed below: Yours very truly.Text not shown on front
but found on another version: The Theatre No. 14, New
Series. Photographed by Lock & Whitfield, London.
circa 1879
1
35
Richard Temple, Frank J. Thornton, James Durward
Lely[view]
Inscribed below: We are indeed jolly utter. Patience, or
Bunthornes Bride.- Rich. Temple, Frank J. Thronton,
Durward Lely.The three actors are in their roles for the
Opera Comique Patience or Bunthornes Bride by Gilbert
circa 1881
Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype Album, circa
1875-1885
http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv34439
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Container(s)
Description
Dates
and Sullivan. Richard Temple as the Colonel Calverley,
Frank Thornton as Major Murgatroyd and Durward Lyall as
the Duke.
1
36
Lillian Adelaide Neilson[view]
Inscribed below: Yours Sincerely- Adelaide Neilson.Text
not shown on front but found on another version: The
Theatre No.8, New Series. Photographed by Lock and
Whitfield, London.
1879
1
37
Lottie Venne[view]
Lottie Venne started her career at the Strand Theatre and
was a musical burlesque performer who later took on more
comedic roles.
Inscribed below: Yours Truly.Text not shown on front but
found on another version: The Theatre No.15, New Series.
Photographed by Lock & Whitfield, London.
circa 1879
1
38
Amy Roselle[view]
Amy Roselle was an actress known for her Shakespearian
roles. She married Arthur Dacre and the two traveled
together around Britian, Australia and the United States
performing together in productions.
Inscribed below: Yours very truly.
circa 1875-1885
1
39
Bella Pateman[view]
Bella Pateman was married to Robert Pateman the
comedic actor.
Inscribed below: Yours Truly.
circa 1875-1885
1
40
Emily Fowler[view]
Emily Fowler was an actress and theater manager who
started her career in muscial burlesque.
Inscribed below: Very truly yours.
circa 1875-1885
1
41
John Lawrence Toole[view]
Toole was a comedic actor and theater manager. He
opened his own theater in 1879 and became the producer
of its many performances.
Inscribed below: Yours very truly- J.L. TooleText not
shown on front but found on another version: The Theatre
No.15, New Series. Photographed by T. (Thomas)
Cranfield and Co., Dublin.
circa 1879
1
42
Henry Irving[view]
circa 1878
Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype Album, circa
1875-1885
http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv34439
8
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Inscribed below: Yours Sincerely.Text not shown on front
but found on another version: The Theatre No. 1, New
Series. Photographed by Lock & Whitfield.
1
43
John Lawrence Toole[view]
Inscribed below: This is uppercrust indeed. Barnaby
Doublechick. -J.L. Toole.Here he is costumed as Barnaby
Doublechick from Henry James Byron's comedy, The
Upper Crust. Text not shown on front but found on
another version: The Theatre No.6, Third Series. London
Stereoscopic Company (Photo & Woodburytype).
circa 1880
1
44
William Hunter Kendal[view]
Inscribed below with his signature, W.H. Kendal.Text not
shown on front but found on another version: The Theatre
No. 2, New Series. Photographed by Lock & Whitfield,
London.
circa 1878
1
45
Charles Fechter as Hamlet [view]
Charles Fechter was a sculptor turned actor in 1846. In
1861 he took on the role of Hamlet that was met with
mixed reviews. He made his first American appearance in
New York in 1870. Circa 1874 Fechter married Lizzie Price
even though he had a pre-existing marriage to a woman in
London from 1847. Fechter died in 1875.
Inscribed below: Chas. Fechter.Text not shown on front
but found on another version: The Theatre, No. 14, New
Series. From a photograph by Boning & Small, Baker
Street, London.
circa 1860-1870
1
46
Sir John Hare originally known as John Joseph Fairs[view]
John Hare was a stage actor and theatre manager of the
Garrick Theatre in London.
Inscribed below: You're drunk sir. Queen's shilling - Col
Grant.Hare is costumed as Colonel Grant from George
William Godfrey's The Queen's Shilling.
circa 1879
1
47
Edward O'Connor Terry[view]
Edward Terry was both a comedic and dramatic actor. He
is famous for his musical burlesques that he performed
at the Gaiety Theatre in London and for opening his own
theater in 1887.
Inscribed below: Yours Sincerely- Edward Terry.Text not
shown on front but found on another version: The Theatre
No.6, New Series. Photographed by Lock & Whitfield,
London.
circa 1879
Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype Album, circa
1875-1885
http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv34439
9
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Description
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1
48
William Jermyn Florence[view]
W.J. Florence was an actor and playwright who originally
performed his role as Hon. Bardwell Slote alongside his
wife. He originally was named William Jermyn Conlin and
changed his name to Florence. He is also known for his
role in co-founding the Shriners.
Inscribed below: I am yours by a large majority. Mighty
Dollar, Act 2.- W.J. Florence.Here Florence is costumed
as Honorary Bardwell Slote from Benjamin E. Woolf's play
The Mighty Dollar.
circa 1880s
1
49
Violet Cameron also known as Violet Lydia
Thompson[view]
Inscribed below: Sincerely Yours.
circa 1875-1885
1
50
Ellen Lancaster Wallace[view]
Inscribed below: Very Truly.Text not shown on front but
found on another version: The Theatre No. 9, New Series.
circa 1879
Find Related Collections
Subject Terms :
Actors--19th century--Autographs
Actors--19th century--Photographs
Actresses--19th century--Autographs
Actresses--19th century--Photographs
Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Woodburytype--Specimens
Form or Genre Terms :
Photographs
Portrait Photographs
Woodburytype
Victorian Theater Celebrities Woodburytype Album, circa
1875-1885
http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv34439
10