Not on display

Irene Vanbrugh (1872-1949) as Gwendolen Fairfax, and Evelyn Millard (1869-1941) as Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest, St. James's Theatre, 1895

Photograph
1895 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Photography was a novel and exciting development in Victorian days. Most actors and actresses had studio photographs taken, in everyday dress or theatrical costume, for ‘cartes de visite’, and later ‘cabinet cards’. Both were albumen prints made from glass negatives, attached to stiff card backing printed with the photographer’s name.

‘Cartes de visite’, the size of formal visiting cards, were patented in 1854 and produced in their millions during the 1860s when it became fashionable to collect them. Their subjects included scenic views, tourist attractions and works of art, as well as portraits. They were superseded in the late 1870s by the larger and sturdier ‘cabinet cards’ whose popularity waned in turn during the 1890s in favour of postcards and studio portraits.

This photograph comes from a large collection of ‘cartes de visite’ and ‘cabinet cards’ removed from their backings and mounted in albums by Guy Tristram Little (d.1953) who bequeathed them to the V&A. A collector of greetings cards, games and photographs, Guy Little was a partner in the legal firm Messrs Milles Jennings White & Foster, and the solicitor and executor of Mrs. Gabrielle Enthoven, whose theatrical collection formed the basis of the Theatre Collections at the V&A.

Irene Vanbrugh and Evelyn Millard were in the original cast of The Importance of Being Earnest at the St. James's Theatre that opened on 14th February 1895. They would have worn their stage costumes for this photograph which nevertheless would have been taken in the photographer's studio.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleIrene Vanbrugh (1872-1949) as Gwendolen Fairfax, and Evelyn Millard (1869-1941) as Cecily Cardew in <i>The Importance of Being Earnest</i>, St. James's Theatre, 1895 (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Sepia photograph on paper
Brief description
Photograph of Irene Vanbrugh (1872-1949) as Gwendolen Fairfax, and Evelyn Millard (1869-1941) as Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest, St. James's Theatre, 1895, Guy Little Collection.
Physical description
Sepia photograph of Irene Vanbrugh and Evelyn Millard in The Importance of Being Earnest at St. James's Theatre.
Dimensions
  • Height: 14.4cm
  • Width: 10.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • "Irene Vanbrugh / + Evelyn Millard / "The Importance of Being Earnest"' (Signature on front of photograph.)
  • 'ALFRED ELLIS / & WALERY / 31 BAKER STREET / LONDON, W. / COPYRIGHT' (Printed at bottom of photograph.)
Object history
This is one of the outstanding collection of 19th century photographs owned by Guy Little presented to the museum in the early 20th century.
Subjects depicted
Literary referenceThe Importance of Being Earnest
Summary
Photography was a novel and exciting development in Victorian days. Most actors and actresses had studio photographs taken, in everyday dress or theatrical costume, for ‘cartes de visite’, and later ‘cabinet cards’. Both were albumen prints made from glass negatives, attached to stiff card backing printed with the photographer’s name.

‘Cartes de visite’, the size of formal visiting cards, were patented in 1854 and produced in their millions during the 1860s when it became fashionable to collect them. Their subjects included scenic views, tourist attractions and works of art, as well as portraits. They were superseded in the late 1870s by the larger and sturdier ‘cabinet cards’ whose popularity waned in turn during the 1890s in favour of postcards and studio portraits.

This photograph comes from a large collection of ‘cartes de visite’ and ‘cabinet cards’ removed from their backings and mounted in albums by Guy Tristram Little (d.1953) who bequeathed them to the V&A. A collector of greetings cards, games and photographs, Guy Little was a partner in the legal firm Messrs Milles Jennings White & Foster, and the solicitor and executor of Mrs. Gabrielle Enthoven, whose theatrical collection formed the basis of the Theatre Collections at the V&A.

Irene Vanbrugh and Evelyn Millard were in the original cast of The Importance of Being Earnest at the St. James's Theatre that opened on 14th February 1895. They would have worn their stage costumes for this photograph which nevertheless would have been taken in the photographer's studio.
Associated object
S.3-2019 (Object)
Other number
GLC XVII.vii.8.3 - Guy Little album identification numbering
Collection
Accession number
S.149:380-2007

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Record createdMay 27, 2009
Record URL
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