Milewski & Short MARY PICKFORD COLLECTION: Mary Pickford

Knut Olaf Rahmn (better known as K.O. Rahmn) was initially an actor / cameraman for the Kalem company before becoming Mary Pickford’s personal photographer, reputedly around 1919, photographing both her private and professional life. (Be sure to browse the "Rahmn" label for additional photos by Rahmn)

Mary in her "water lily dress" by Jeanne Lanvin. Photo by K.O. Rahmn c. 1921. Snipe reads "Miss Pickford calls this her "Water Lily" dress and it seems to describe it better than any words we can find. It is all of shimmery silver green silk with bands of silver lace and a silver ribbon around the waist tying in a bow at one side and hanging nearly to the bottom of the uneven hem line. And speaking of hem lines, this is the Parisian verdict of the length of evening gowns as set for by Madame Jeanne Lanvin, most famous designer of youthful frocks. / Note: This picture is released for publication with the understanding that Madame Jeanne Lanvin, celebrated French modiste, be given credit as designer of these exclusive gowns. Madame Lanvin makes all of Mary Pickford's dresses. While abroad, the little star ordered forty-nine frocks, most of which will be used in her pictures."

Another shot of Mary in her "water lily dress" by Jeanne Lanvin. Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1921.

Mary in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1921.

Mary in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. Photo by K.O. Rahmn c. 1921. Handsigned by Mary Pickford and dated 1921.

Mary in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1921.

Mary in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. Typewritten snipe attached on verso reads, "Madame Jeanne Lanvin has made a box jacket to go with the black velvet dress in the accompanying illustration. The collars and cuffs and the jaunty little hat are of the white moufflon. The coat, as well as the dress, boasts a tiny pocket with fluttering ends of grosgrain ribbon. This is said to be one of the most unique of the famous modiste's designs. It is not duplicated. / Note: This picture is released for publication that Madame Jeanne Lanvin, celebrated French modiste, be given credit as designer of these exclusive gowns. Madame Lanvin makes all of Mary Pickford's dresses. While abroad, the little star ordered forty-nine frocks, most of which will be used in her pictures." Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1921.

Mary in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. Typewritten snipe attached on verso reads, "This afternoon frock of black chiffon velvet Madame Jeanne Lanvin demonstrates the French customs of lavishing infinite detail upon the girdle. In this case it is made of small circles of royal blue cloth and of buttons covered with the same material. In the center of each button is a tiny crystal bead while radiating from it are black, white and silver threads. The new gauntlet cuffs are edged with the buttons and loops which also form the trimming around the neck. The standing collar is of white organdy. To accompany this frock Lanvin made Miss Pickford a wide brimmed hat of black crepe de chene. Royal blue velvet ribbon ties around the crown and forms a pleating around the brim. / Note: This picture is released for publication with the understanding that Madame Jeanne Lanvin, celebrated French modiste, be given credit as designer of these exclusive gowns. Madame Lanvin makes all of Mary Pickford's dresses. While abroad, the little star ordered forty-nine frocks, most of which will be used in her pictures." Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1921.

Mary in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. Typewritten snipe attached on verso reads, "In this street dress Madame Jeanne Lanvine has combined brown and red most successfully. Of brown crepe de chene, the motif embroidered in red delightfully carries out the Parisian fad of the moments for monograms. Lanvin has used striped silk in red and black to form the narrow collar and to line the wide sleeves. Red grosgrain ribbons piped on one side with the brown crepe de chene form the streamers. The belt is made of narrow strips of the crepe de chene braided and caught with red buttons. It is an exclusive design, made especially for Miss Pickford. / Note: This picture is released for publication with the understanding that Madame Jeanne Lanvin, celebrated French modiste, be given credit as designer of these exclusive gowns. Madame Lanvin makes all of Mary Pickford's dresses. While abroad, the little star ordered forty-nine frocks, most of which will be used in her pictures." Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1921.

Mary in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. Typewritten snipe attached on verso reads, "The distinction of this girlish frock of black chiffon velvet lies in the exquisite eyelet embroidered collars and cuffs of ecru batiste. Narrow red grosgrain ribbon ties in a bow at the neck and hangs with long ends while the bows are repeated at the cuffs. The red is further carried out in an embroidered motif on the front of the waist, and Miss Pickford is carrying a vivid little hat of red leather in her hand. This costume was designed by Madame Jeanne Lanvin, of Paris, and is one of the forty-nine exclusive Lanvin models purchased by Miss Pickford while abroad. / Note: This picture is released for publication with the understanding that Madame Jeanne Lanvin, celebrated French modiste, be given credit as designer of these exclusive gowns. Madame Lanvin makes all of Mary Pickford's dresses. While abroad, the little star ordered forty-nine frocks, most of which will be used in her pictures." Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1921.

Portrait of Mary Pickford in a Lanvin outfit with her dog Zorro by K.O. Rahmn. ca. 1921.

Portrait of Mary Pickford in a Lanvin outfit with her dog Zorro by K.O. Rahmn. Personalized and handsigned in ink for actress Virginia Valli ca. 1921.

Mary in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. Typewritten snipe attached on verso reads, "Another view of the gray homespun dress in the accompanying illustration minus the box coat. The wide band of trimming is of navy blue to match the embroidery and buttons while white orange forms the crisp little frill. The design is by Madame Jeanne Lanvin, of Paris, made exclusive for Mary Pickford. / Note: This picture is released for publication with the understanding that Madame Jeanne Lanvin, celebrated French modiste, be given credit as designer of these exclusive gowns. Madame Lanvin makes all of Mary Pickford's dresses. While abroad, the little star ordered forty-nine frocks, most of which will be used in her pictures."Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1921.

Mary in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1921.

Mary in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. Photo by K.O. Rahmn, although stamped "Credit Bain News Service" on verso. 1921.

Mary in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1921.

Mary poses with a candle and jack-o-lantern in this oversized Halloween themed print by K.O. Rahmn. One of many of the holiday-themed series taken of Mary by Rahmn in 1924.

Mary Pickford in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. "Cordially" stamped signature. Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1921.

Mary Pickford in a dress by Jeanne Lanvin. Lightly hand-colored. "Cordially" stamped signature. Stamped “Coming! Little Annie Rooney” on verso. Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1921.

Mary Pickford in Little Annie Rooney dress holding a sheep (with a strange, human-like face) and Puppy. Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1925.

Mary Pickford in Little Annie Rooney dress covered in puppies. Handsigned in ink. Photo by K.O. Rahmn. 1925.

Mary Pickford as Little Annie Rooney with a goat in a basket. Photograph by K.O. Rahmn. Photographer's stamp on verso. From the K.O. Rahmn Estate.

Mary Pickford in Little Annie Rooney dress with Puppies. 6.5x8.5 photo by K.O. Rahmn with "Cordially" stamped signature. 1925. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford in Little Annie Rooney dress with Puppies and a lightly tinted rosy cheek. 6.5x8.5 photo by K.O. Rahmn with "Cordially" stamped signature. 1925.

Mary Pickford in Little Annie Rooney dress with Puppies. 6.5x8.5 photo by K.O. Rahmn with "Cordially" stamped signature. 1925.

"Mary Pickford gives an imitation of a hard-working man. Little Mary believes that nothing depicts the spirit of labor more truthfully than the genial hod-carrier, with his quick wit and stubby clay pipe." Photo by Rahmn.

Portrait of Mary Pickford by K.O. Rahmn. 1926. The September 1926 issue of Cinema Art captions the photo, "Mary Pickford / Her latest portrait study, proving that her charm has a perennial quality that the years cannot seem to wither."