Mary Pickford - Moody Photos - 1915

Photographer Rufus Porter Moody, perhaps best-known simply as R. P. Moody, was born in Kentucky in 1873. For some time, he ran a photography studio in Nashville, TN, but in 1913,  found his way to New York where he opened a studio on 42nd Street to cater to the theatrical crowd. There, he took some of my personal favorite Mary Pickford portraits which were well-used around 1916 in magazines, on ads, on postcards, and beyond. Undoubtedly, Moody is best know for his amazing use of light and shadow which often times created an ethereal atmosphere well suited for Pickford. In 1916, the studio was moved to Broadway, but by then, his business was already in decline. He died in 1922.

Mary Pickford in an inventive portrait by Rufus P. Moody. Stamped in gold ink "Mary Pickford, appearing exclusively in productions of the Famous Players Film Co., Adolph Zukor, Pres." Stamped Moody on verso 1915. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Mary Pickford in an exceptional portrait by Rufus P. Moody. Stamped signature. 1915. My personal favorite Moody portrait in the collection. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Mary Pickford in Rufus P. Moody photo. Stamped in silver ink "Mary Pickford, appearing exclusively in productions of the Famous Players Film Co., Adolph Zukor, Pres." 1915. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford in Rufus P. Moody 8x10 photo. 1915. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford Rufus P. Moody 8x10 photo. I suspect this photo is most recognizable from the cover of the April 1915 issue of The Ladies' World magazine. 1915. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford Rufus P. Moody 8x10 photo. I suspect this photo is most recognizable from the cover of the April 1915 issue of The Ladies' World magazine. 1915. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford and a cat in a portrait by Rufus P. Moody. 1915. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford - Moody Photo - Cincinnati Enquirer Supplement

Mary Pickford newspaper supplement featuring a photo by Rufus P. Moody. Produced by The Water Color Co.,  NY., these were issued in 1916 by a variety of newspapers nationwide, this one being from The Cincinnati Enquire. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Poor Little Peppina (1916) - Moody - Imperial Theatre Handout - 1916

5" x 7" Imperial Theatre (city unknown at this time) handout featuring a portrait of Mary by Moody and advertising a week-long run of Poor Little Peppina beginning on Sunday, March 5, 1916. I also have another print of this photo in a brown paper folder.

Real Photo Theatre Handout - Portrait by Moody - ca. 1916

 3 3/4" x  7 7/8" Real photo theatre handout featuring a portrait by Moody. Famous Players. ca. 1916. Unfortunately, not much information on this one though it seems to be a fairly unique piece.

The Film Life of Mary Pickford - Booklet - 1915

The Film Life of Mary Pickford booklet issued by J.D. Walker’s World’s Films, Ltd. (English distributor of Famous Players Film Company titles) in 1915.

The February 1915 issue of Picture Stories Magazine noted, "Quite the daintiest brochure we have recently seen is 'The Film Life of Mary Pickford,' price 2d., and obtainable from Messrs. J. D. Walker's World's Films, Limited, 166-170, Wardour Street, London, W. To 'give away' the contents here would detract from its interest, and therefore we advise the legion of admirers of 'Little Mary' to each send for a copy at once, as there is a keen demand for the booklet. Mr. Henry W. Prockter, the Publicity Manager of the Famous Players Film Company, has ably edited and arrange the contents, giving a faithful portrayal of all the little characteristics and details that exercise the minds of most picture-goers, who will find all their favorite queries answered, and at the same time be able to gaze on some new portraits of this 'Queen of the Movies.'"

This particular copy of the booklet was reputedly owned by pioneering London street photographer William Whiffin.

Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Mary Pickford Moody Photo / Famous Players / Paramount Pictures Postcard c. 1916

Mary Pickford / Famous Players postcard featuring a popular photo by Moody N.Y.C. This postcard is additionally printed with the Paramount Pictures logo and “Paramount Pictures distributed in New York state by The Wm. L. Sherry Feature Film Co., Inc” on verso. Postcard published by White, 370 East 23d Street, Brooklyn, NY. c. 1916

The Ladies' World - Magazine - April 1915

“The laurels of victory have been placed upon [Mary Pickford's] pretty head by The Ladies World readers in the greatest photo-play contest ever conducted.” Mary Pickford--The most popular girl in the world--on the cover the April 1915 issue of The Ladies' World. Photo by Moody.  Inside, we get a small portrait by a photographer unknown (I always lean towards White? Apeda? Gould & Marsden?)

Mary Pickford / Famous Players - Felt Pennant

Mary Pickford / Famous Players light blue felt 3x8 inch pennant. Photo by Moody. c. 1915

These felt pennants were manufactured by a number of different companies in the 1910s and beyond. While they all featured photos of the famous players of the day, they were offered in varying sizes and colors. The particular style of pennant above is pictured in the below ad from Motion Picture Classic Magazine.  According to the ad, the pennants were not for sale but you could get a whopping 15 for subscribing to the magazine for one year -- I'm uncertain if that's just sales talk or if you really couldn't purchase this series elsewhere. The ad is not part of the collection and for reference only.

Lorenz Theatre Handout - Photo by Moody - 1916

Excessively large brown paper folder (10.75"x14" unfolded,) with a small 5"x7" printed photo by Moody tipped-in, compliments of the Lorenz Theatre once located in Bethlehem, PA. I would assume it is from 1916 based on another print (additionally marked with Poor Little Peppina advertising) in the collection.

Mary Pickford / Famous Players / The Doric Theatre Handout c. 1915

Mary Pickford Moody Portrait / Famous Players handout for The Doric Theatre (city unknown.) c. 1915. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Mary Pickford - Beagles / Rotary / Valentine Postcards

Beagles Postcard depicting Mary eating an apple. Photo by Muriel Straithmore. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Beagles Postcard depicting Mary with a cow. Photo by Ira L. Hill. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Beagles Postcard depicting "Mary Pickford as Pollyanna" (but is it really?) Photo by Evans. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Rotary Postcard depicting "Miss Mary Pickford." Photo by Moody. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Valentine postcard depicting "Miss Mary Pickford." This portrait is from one of Mary's many trips to Europe however the photographer is unknown at this time. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.