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1891 Herbert Gresham& Paula Edwards Autographed Photo in Drag Costumes - Daly\'s Theater
DATE: circa 1891
DESC: Herbert Gresham and Paula Edwards in costume (genderswitch – drag), possibly for a production of TheMaid of Balsora. Inscribed “Me andyer ’usband” and signed Paula Edwards, in ink lower margin.
Sinbad: or the Maid ofBalsora wasa musical extravaganza that premiered on June 11, 1891, inChicago, starring famed comedian Eddie Foy. Produced by David Henderson, theshow featured music by W. H. Batchelor and lyrics by Harry B. Smith. It wasknown as a lavish, large-scale production by the American Extravaganza Company.
PERSONS: Herbert Gresham, Paula Edwards
MATERIAL: Photograph DIM: 10.5 x7.5 inch
CONDITION: Fair – card was trimmed at some point PIECES/PAGES: 1
With Certificate ofprovenance from Rare Nest Gallery Chicago; CAT #: PMK0185
Subject Biography: Herbert Gresham (John T. Ford Son-In-Law)
1853, London – 1923, New York
During the period from 1884 to 1900, Herbert Gresham workedas an actor and stage manager with Augustin Daly – a leading theater owner inNew York and London. His dramatic roles included classical parts but tendedtoward the comedic. He was well known and reviewed for his roles as Touchstonein As You Like It and the Clown in Twelfth Night. Several of hisroles were in the great British tradition of cross-dressing. Herbert played the role of the Marquis de Baccarat in Adonis– a ‘Boylesque’ retelling of the Galatea legend.
Herbert travelled extensively with Daly and otherrepertories and his sub-collection includes his constant and deeply touchingcorrespondence with his wife and children from the road. Sometimes artfullyillustrated with caricatures, these letters are intimate, loving and redolentwith loneliness. Gresham spent the last 18 years of his career as general stagemanager and director for A. L. Erlanger.
I will be several hundredpieces related to John T. Ford, Ford’s Theater and Ford’s descendants who wereall figures in American theater from 1840 – 1970. Visit my store - Category \"American Theater History\".
