Who Were They?

Lost and forgotten photos from the past

This week’s Sepia Saturday suggests newspapers and such, but I’m going for the headlines. Specifically, someone who made headlines: Lillian Russell. Lillian Russell (12-4-1860 to 6-6-1922) was an American stage actress and singer of operettas, well known throughout America and Europe. During her heyday, she frequently starred in Gilbert & Sullivan comic operas. With roots …

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  On a Victorian cabinet card it is unusual to see a smile because of the long set up and exposure time of the photographic technology available. This photograph however shows a young girl with a funny, pudgy face and a tiny smile. And maybe crossed eyes. She is dressed in some type of jumper …

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Today’s photograph features a young girl, a wicker chair and a ragged looking fur throw. The girl’s expression seems to say “what exactly is that *thing* on the chair?” The turned wicker of the chair hints at the 1890s and the deckled edges of the card confirm that. The photographer was R. L. Henderson from …

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