zzmoth:

A fireman from the London Fire Brigade, wearing a smoke helmet. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images).

Circa 1908

Mascara, 1917

tuesday-johnson:

ca. 1889, [cabinet card, portrait of woman advertising a photographer for the Trade Carnival in Greenville, Texas; cabinet card portraits are attached to her dress, while carte de visites make up her headpiece], Fayette W. Knight

via Southern Methodist University Libraries, DeGolyer Library, Lawrence T. Jones III Texas Photographs Collection

Early booth babes. ;3

tuesday-johnson:

ca. 1890, “For the Teeth & Breath”, [cabinet card advertisement display for Teaberry dentifrice], Stuart

via Christopher Wahren Fine Photographs, Skylight Gallery #34

narcolepticbunny:

praedictum-impaver:

 Laverie Vallee (July 18, 1875 – February 6, 1949), best known by her stage name Charmion, was a Sacramento born trapeze artist who possessed strength and a physique most men would be envious of. However, she was most well known for her risqué striptease performances.

The act opened with Charmion taking the stage in full Victorian attire. She would then mount the trapeze and proceed to undress to her leotard while performing impressive and strength-dependant stunts. The act was incredibly impressive and provocative for the era. However, the controversy created by her performances did not prevent the formulation of a devoted, and mostly male, fan base.

One of her greatest fans was Thomas Edison. As a result of that adoration, on November 11, 1901 Charmion committed a simplified version of her act to film for Edison. The film, simply entitled ‘Trapeze Disrobing Act’ focused more on the erotic aspect of the performance, though a few remarkable feats of strength are featured.

Source

tuesday-johnson:

ca. 1900, [cabinet card, portrait of Henrietta “Lilla” Kenney seated with a stereograph viewer], Halifax Photographic Company

via Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe Institute

lostsplendor:

Marie Prevost, 1925

tuesday-johnson:

ca. 1903, [tintype portrait of several women, one with a scratched out face, and two gentleman. Handwritten on verso: “Someone is in love.”]

via Ebay Auctions