Tag Archives: portraits

Ricky Nelson: One of the Biggest Teen Idols of the Late 1950s and Early 1960s

Born 1940 in Teaneck, New Jersey, American singer, musician, and actor Ricky Nelson began his entertainment career in 1949, playing himself in the radio sitcom series, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1952, he appeared in his first feature film, Here Come the Nelsons. In 1957, he recorded his first single, debuted as aContinue reading “Ricky Nelson: One of the Biggest Teen Idols of the Late 1950s and Early 1960s”

Sarah Vaughan: One of the Most Wondrous Voices of the 20th Century

Born 1924 in Newark, New Jersey, American jazz singer Sarah Vaughan grew up with a love of music and performing. Her first step toward becoming a professional singer was winning a talent competition held at Harlem’s Apollo Theater launched her singing career. She worked with bandleaders Earl Hines and Billy Eckstine before becoming a successfulContinue reading “Sarah Vaughan: One of the Most Wondrous Voices of the 20th Century”

The “Golden Age” of Childhood: A Gallery of 45 Amazing Daguerreotypes of Siblings From the Mid-19th Century

Daguerreotypes were the first commercially viable photographic process. Developed by French chemist Louis Daguerre in 1839, the technique quickly made its way to the US in the 1840s, the beginning of what some historians characterize as the “golden age” of childhood. To make the image, a daguerreotypist polished a sheet of silver-plated copper to aContinue reading “The “Golden Age” of Childhood: A Gallery of 45 Amazing Daguerreotypes of Siblings From the Mid-19th Century”

Shirley Bassey: One of the Most Popular Female Vocalists in Britain

Born 1937 in Cardiff, Welsh singer Shirley Bassey began performing as a teenager in 1953. In 1959, she became the first Welsh person to gain a number-one single on the UK Singles Chart. In the following decades, Bassey amassed 27 Top 40 hits in the UK, including 2 number-ones. She became well-known for recording theContinue reading “Shirley Bassey: One of the Most Popular Female Vocalists in Britain”

Yesterday Today: September 9

A healthy game of tennis back in 1938. Niagara Falls completely frozen over in the year 1911 Marilyn Monroe, California, 1951 This Incredible Angel Oak Tree found on Johns Island in South Carolina is over 1,500 years old. A 10 year old Frank Sinatra, 1925 A child posing for a photograph with Santa back inContinue reading “Yesterday Today: September 9”

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”