LIZZIE EVANS: THEATER AND VAUDEVILLE STAR KNOWN AS “THE LITTLE ELECTRIC BATTERY”

This cabinet card image is a portrait of vaudeville and musical theater entertainer, Miss Lizzie Evans (c1864- 19? ). She is known for her performances in New York City and Chicago from the 1880’s through the early 1900’s. The New York Times once described her performing skills as similar to celebrated actress, Lotta Crabtree. The website “Broadway Photographs” states that she was “small, flat-chested, and intelligent looking rather than beautiful, she captured attention by her cleverness on stage and her unflagging energy”. Her nickname was “The Little Electric Battery”. Evans was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio. She made her stage debut in 1882, as a 17 year-old. She joined the Nobles theater company where she performed a role in “The Phoenix”. After leaving the Nobles company she joined C. E. Callahan where she starred in plays for nine years. Her roles included parts in “Fogg’s Ferry” and “The Buckeye”.  A New York Times (1881) review of her appearance in “Foggs Ferry” reports that her performance was “earnest and vivacious”. The reviewer also stated that “Miss Evans has no voice for song” but that her talent as an actress should allow her the luxury of avoiding any “vocal efforts”. After leaving her association with Callahan’s company, Evans retired for two years. Apparently she had trouble staying away from the theater lights, which was evidenced by her appearance in “Old Kentucky”. She than performed in vaudeville until the 1900-1901 season. Following her vaudeville appearances she formed her own troupe. Her biography indicates that the lure that took her away from musical theater was that vaudeville offered both top billing and big money. She was married to the famous comedian, Harry Mills in 1891. This portrait of Miss Evans was taken in 1885, according to the inscription in the reverse of the photograph. The photographer was D. H.Anderson who operated a studio on Broadway in New York City. Anderson used the same photo studio formerly occupied by the famed photographer, Matthew Brady. Anderson had worked in various other American cities before moving to New York in 1881. He became known as a talented celebrity photographer. This cabinet card is in good condition (see scans).      (SOLD)

EMMA LORAINE: STAGE ACTRESS POSES ON BROADWAY IN NEW YORK CITY

Emma Loraine appears to have been a minor stage star. The New York Times (1879) reported that Wallack’s Theatre production of “Our Girls” included Ms. Loraine in the cast. Also in the cast was Maurice Barrymore. The New York Times (1881) has a story about the Wallach company going on tour because their new theatre was under construction. The company was planning to perform “She Stoops to Conquer” and “The School for Scandal” while on tour. Performing as part of the touring company was Osmond Tearle, Rose Coghlan, and Emma Lorraine. The cabinet card gallery has images of both Tearle and Coghlan that can be viewed by typing each of their names in the search box. Their names must be searched separately. Both cabinet card portraits of Loraine were photographed by celebrity photographer, D. H. Anderson of New York City. To view other images by Anderson, click on the category “Photographer: Anderson (New York)”. An article in the Photographic Times and American Photographer (1883) describes Anderson’s studio at 785 Broadway in New York City. The location was formerly the studio operated by famed photographer, Mathew Brady. Anderson is considered a pioneer in early photography. He made his first pictures (daguerreotypes) in Paducah, Kentucky in 1855. He later worked in Cincinnati (Ohio), Dayton (Ohio), New Orleans (Louisiana), Louisville (Kentucky), and various other cities. He finally settled for awhile in Richmond, Virginia in 1865. In 1881, he sold his studio and moved to New York City. The previously cited article described a “composition group” portrait that Anderson was working on during the magazine writers visit to his studio. The photograph was described as measuring eleven feet by fourteen feet and picturing the 7th Regiment posing in their new armory. The image included over a thousand soldiers.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS WEARING A RAIN SLICKER HAT IN NEW YORK CITY

This cabinet card features a pretty young actress wearing, what appears to be, a rain slicker hat. The photograph is a bit risque for its time. The actress’s  neckline may not be plunging, but it leaves a lot uncovered. She was photographed at the studio of celebrity photographer, D. H. Anderson, in New York City.