The cabinet card gained popularity in the mid-1860s, following the end of the Civil War. Similar to a carte de visite, which was 2½ by 4 inches and mounted on card stock, a cabinet card typically measured 4 by 6 inches, and was easy to see from across a room. Cabinet cards were commonly displayed on a side table or in a cabinet. They were used mainly for portraiture, and became popular for personal portraits as well as mass produced portraits of notable people. Cabinet cards of famous actors, actresses and entertainers were sold and collected in much the same way that posters are today. Many cabinet cards prominently featured the name of the photographer and other advertising information, usually on the back of the card. Cabinet cards reached the peak of popularity in the 1870s and 1880s, although they continued to be made into the early 1900s. Cabinet cards fell out of favor in part due to the public's desire for candid photographs that could be put in a scrapbook or enlarged and framed. The introduction of the Kodak Brownie camera, which entered the market in February, 1900, and sold for $1, also aided in the decline of the cabinet card.
American theaters remained greatly influenced by London theater into
the 20th century, with the plays of Shakespeare remaining quite popular and the
comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan gaining recognition. Actors such as Mary
Anderson, W.H. Kendal and Weedon Grossmith rose to fame in the late 18th
century in large part because of their roles in Gilbert and Sullivan plays.
American playwrights also gained influence during this period of time.
Playwrights such as Tom Taylor, who wrote
Actors continued to gain fame independently. Edwin Booth, who was one of the most respected Shakespearean actors of his time, and Helena Modjeska, a well-respected Shakespearean and dramatic actress, were not associated with any single theater company. However, American theater companies also rose to prominence. Many actors became well known because of their association with a specific theater company, such as those in New York run by Laura Keene or Augustin Daly. These companies, aside from providing support, also allowed actors to tour the United States and Europe, thus aiding in the rise to fame.
The collection contains cabinet card studio portraits of actors and actresses who performed on the American and British stage in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as well as several entertainers who were prominent in the early days of vaudeville. It includes many potraits of famous actors Edwin Booth and Joseph Jefferson as well as famous actress Helena Modjeska. Many of the cabinet cards were made by the well known New York photographer Napoleon Sarony.
Selections can be viewed on the Libraries Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curatori is required to view original photographs. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Processed by Alicia Reuter and Emily Craig, 2009.
The 19th Century Actors Carte de Viste Collection (Collection No. PH0075) contains many of the same actors.
Edwin Booth, 1833-1893, was a famous American actor from a family of actors. One of his brothers was John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theater in 1865 .
On verso: First time in America at the Lyceum Theatre, New York.
Photograph is autographed.
Photograph is autographed.
On verso: Howard played Bumin Turke as a burlesque imitation of
G. W. Gouldock as Dunstan Kirke in the play
Photograph is autographed.
On verso: Honey-Bee, B, With Much Love from Old Aunt Nell.
Joseph Jefferson, 1829-1905, was one of the most famous American
comic actors. He gained fame in
Photograph is autographed
On verso: "Given to me by George Becks, June 1891."
On the front of the photograph, her name is spelled "Jeffries" instead of "Jeffreys," a mistake made by the photographer.
Note on verso indicates the play was performed at the Herald Square Theater during the 1894-95 Season.
Helena Modjeska, 1840-1909, was a Polish actress who specialized in Shakespearean and tragic roles. She emigrated to the United States in 1876.
On verso: "Sent to me from California, by Buck, Feb. 1889. I do not know when it was made."
On verso: With Isabel Morris' good wishes - Seattle, 21 Feb 1892.
Photograph is signed: "Yours in Irish, Chauncey Olcott."
Rossow's Midgets was a vaudeville boxing act that pitted German brothers Franz and Carl Actermeier against each other. The brothers, both midgets, were managed by Herman Rossow.
Sandow is known as the "Father of Bodybuilding." He made his first appearance on the London stage in 1889, coming to the United States for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He quickly became one of the first stars nurtured by manager Florenz Ziegfeld.
Photograph is autographed. Inscription on front reads: "Faithfully Yours, Walker Whiteside."
Photograph is autographed.