Category Archives: portraits

40 Wonderful Portrait Photos of Women Posing With Their Books From the Mid-19th Century

Women formed a large and increasing part of the new novel-reading public. The traditional discrepancy between male and female literacy rates was narrowed, and finally eliminated by the end of the 19th century. The gap had always been the widest at the lowest end of the social scale. Perhaps more women than we realize couldContinue reading “40 Wonderful Portrait Photos of Women Posing With Their Books From the Mid-19th Century”

Actor Ray Milland in the 1930s and 1940s

Born 1907 as Alfred Reginald Jones in Neath, Glamorgan, Welsh-American actor and film director Ray Milland served in the Household Cavalry of the British Army, becoming a proficient marksman, horseman and aeroplane pilot before becoming an actor. He had his first major role in The Flying Scotsman (1929). This led to a nine-month contract withContinue reading “Actor Ray Milland in the 1930s and 1940s”

Vintage Photos of Rita Hayworth Performing the “Dance of the Seven Veils” in ‘Salome’ (1953)

The “Dance of the Seven Veils” is Salome’s dance performed before Herod II, in modern stage, literature and visual arts. It is an elaboration on the biblical story of the execution of John the Baptist, which refers to Salome dancing before the king, but does not give the dance a name. In the 1953 filmContinue reading “Vintage Photos of Rita Hayworth Performing the “Dance of the Seven Veils” in ‘Salome’ (1953)”

20 Amazing Photos of Queen Elizabeth II in the 1940s

When Elizabeth was born in April 1926, she wasn’t destined for the throne. Her father Albert, known as “Bertie” to his family, was the second son of King George V. Elizabeth and her younger sister Margaret were doted on by their parents, with her father dubbing the family, “we four.” It was a comfortable butContinue reading “20 Amazing Photos of Queen Elizabeth II in the 1940s”

Victorian Readers: 40 Vintage Portraits of People Posing With Their Books From 19th Century

Victorians were great readers of the novel, and the number of novels available for them to read increased enormously during Victoria’s reign. The activity of reading benefited hugely from wider schooling and increased literacy rates, from the cheapening costs of publication, from improved distribution that resulted from better transportation, and, towards the end of theContinue reading “Victorian Readers: 40 Vintage Portraits of People Posing With Their Books From 19th Century”

Beautiful Photos of Frank Sinatra and His Daughter Nancy Sinatra During a Recording Session in 1967

Frank Sinatra had met his first wife, Nancy Sinatra (née Barbato, 1917–2018), in Long Branch, New Jersey in the summer of 1934, while working as a lifeguard. He agreed to marry her after an incident at “The Rustic Cabin” which led to his arrest. They were married from 1939 to 1951, and had three children,Continue reading “Beautiful Photos of Frank Sinatra and His Daughter Nancy Sinatra During a Recording Session in 1967”

35 Vintage Photos Show Fashion Styles of 1950s Couples

Fashion in the 1950s saw a clear gender divide. While men and boy’s fashion moved towards a more casual day-to-day style, women and girl’s fashion prioritized elegance, formality, and perfectly matched accessories. Couture womenswear saw rapid change with new designers such as Cristobal Balenciaga and Hubert de Givenchy disrupting the overtly feminine silhouette popularized byContinue reading “35 Vintage Photos Show Fashion Styles of 1950s Couples”

30 Amazing Portraits of Edwardian Singer and Actress Gabrielle Ray

Gabrielle Ray was an English stage actress, dancer and singer, best known for her roles in Edwardian musical comedies. She was considered one of the most beautiful actresses on the London stage and became one of the most photographed women in the world. Gabrielle Ray, real name Gabrielle Elizabeth Clifford Cook, was born in Stockport,Continue reading “30 Amazing Portraits of Edwardian Singer and Actress Gabrielle Ray”