The Chris Milewski MARY PICKFORD COLLECTION: NZ Photo Album

Showing posts with label NZ Photo Album. Show all posts

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

Mary Pickford - Ira L. Hill Photos

Ira L. Hill opened his 5th Avenue studio in 1907 — specializing in society and fashion photography and quickly building a name for himself. In 1914, going with the idea that Broadway is associated with NY society, he broke into theatrical portraiture. For much of the teens and up to the mid-20s, Hill was a leading photographer of the subject. In the late 20s, he essentially abandoned theatrical photography to once again focus primarily on high society. Hill died in 1947, but the studio name continued until the late 60s.

Mary Pickford photo by Ira L. Hill. Signature in negative. Part of NZ Photo Album. That was notably used as the basis for a painted portrait of Mary that hung at Pickfair.

Mary Pickford photo by Ira L. Hill. Photographer's studio on negative. Signature on negative. c. 1915. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford photo by Ira L. Hill. Photographer's studio on negative. Part of NZ Photo Album. One of my personal favorites by Hill as it seems to exude an almost ghostly-atmosphere of the time period, in my mind at least.

Mary Pickford photo by Ira L. Hill. Photographer's studio on negative. Signature on negative. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford photo by Ira L. Hill. Photographer's studio on negative. While the photo seems to be hand-signed in ink at the lower right, it is likely not signed by Mary herself. The signature seems to match those "signed in the negative" on other Ira L. Hill photos, but that signature does not appear to be simply traced in ink here (though it very well could be.) Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford photo by Ira L. Hill. Photographer's studio on negative and stamped on verso. While the photo is hand-signed in ink at lower right, it is very clearly not signed by Mary herself. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford - Strauss Peyton Photos

Hand-painted portrait of Mary Pickford in a Jeanne Lanvin dress by Strauss Peyton (signed by the fan/artist, L. Piccolo.) Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Mary Pickford 8x10 photo by Strauss Peyton. Photographer's stamp on verso. 1922/23. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford 8x10 photo by Strauss Peyton. Photographer's stamp on verso. My personal favorite Strauss Peyton photo in the collection, although while negative manipulation was the their thing, the retouching this one certainly has quite a bit. 1922/23. Part of NZ Photo Album.

I felt the above newspaper clipping (from a "Mary Pickford Papers" Collection scrapbook at the Margaret Herrick Library) was too interesting and amusing not to share. The blurb, bringing attention to Mary's new bob coiffure in 1928, is a "photoshopped" version of the previous Strauss-Peyton photo. Clipping is for reference only and not part of my collection.

Slightly enlarged Mary Pickford 7.75x10 photo by Strauss-Peyton (which appears to be a period copy-print.) Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford - Melbourne Spurr Photos

“Mary Pickford,” says Melbourne Spurr, “always comes back to me, so I guess she thinks I’m not a bad photographer.”

Mary Pickford herself helped launch Melbourne Spurr's Hollywood photography career having been so impressed with his work shooting her for Fred Hartsook studio. It can be said that any photographer's career would get a boost if they shot Mary as that in itself was rather marketable at the time, but for Spurr, the quality of his Pickford portraits created a feverish interest -- so much so, that sittings would have to be booked months in advance. He would go on to photograph many stars in the 20s for his own studio, but branched out to other subjects by the decade's end.

Mary Pickford by Melbourne Spurr c. 1923. Photographer's studio stamp on verso and embossed at lower right. Personalized and hand-signed by Mary in purple ink. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Mary Pickford posing for Melbourne Spurr. Photographer's stamp on reverse. 1922. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford - Correspondence Card - 1914

Fairly scarce (I've seen one other,) hand-signed Mary Pickford correspondence card. "Miss Mary Pickford wishes to express her thanks for your charming letter of appreciation of her work. She trusts you will continue to enjoy her pictures and she encloses her photograph with best wishes and kindest regards. Mary Pickford. 108 St. Andrews Place, Los Angeles, California." 1914. Part of NZ Photo Album.

As a side note, Mary and her mother leased the property for 6 months in early-1914. They were subsequently sued, for $111.44, by the owner of the property, Florence S. Porter, for skipping out one month's rent, allowing her dog “to sleep on some costly tapestried cushions,” damaging a brick column with her car, and damaging the hardwood floors -- the plaintiff's lawyer also noting, “Late revelries and orgies.” Mary argued the house was unsafe due to sewer gas, her wardrobe was ruined by leaking plumbing, she contracted a cold when the furnace out of commission due to a flooded basement, and she “missed an important engagement when her automobile was held by a cavein of the cement driveway.” Mary ultimately won the suit but her mother had to pay a $6.40 water bill.

The house was located at 108 South St. Andrews Pl. and has since been demolished. There are several photos of both the inside and outside of this house out there in the world, often erroneously noted as being a supposed house at 1403 N. Western Ave. (which itself is a mystery... but that is whole other story.) The two photos seen here from AMPAS are for reference only and not part of this collection.

Tess of the Storm Country - photographs - 1914

Mary Pickford, posing like Tess on the cover of the book by Grace Miller (thank you to Pamela Short for pointing that out,) in a Tess of the Storm Country (1914) promotional photo. Photographer unknown. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Tess of the Storm Country (1914) publicity still. It is worth noting that this very layout, with the paper label glued on recto, was imaged for the Krauss Mfg. postcard series for the film. Typewritten on verso is "I swears that I won't tell." From NZ.

Tess of the Storm Country (1914) "Tess steals milk for Teola's child" mini-lobbycard from Mary's Estate. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection. Not to be redundant, but written on verso seemingly in Mary's hand: "Mary Pickford in 'Tess of the Storm Country' first production 1914"

Mary Pickford - White Studio Photos

Mary Pickford poses at a mirror while she... well, a maid... brushes her hair. The White NY studio mark is seemingly hand-signed in ink on recto. Studio stamp on verso. Photo by White, NY (White Studio.) 1916. Perhaps an Artcraft issued publicity still as it came with a batch from NZ.

Mary Pickford poses with a mirror from the same session as that above. Hand-signed in ink (uh, though it's very unlikely to be signed by Mary.) Photo by White, NY (White Studio.) 1916. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford photo by White, NY (White Studio.) 1913. Part of NZ Photo Album.

A nice early and popular Mary Pickford photo by White, NY (White Studio.) 1913. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Early portrait by White, NY ca. 1913. Stamped signature that was subsequently traced in ink. Incidentally, the dress she is wearing can be seen in the random opening shot of Tess of the Storm Country (1914) Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Early tinted portrait by White, NY ca. 1913. Incidentally, the dress she is wearing can be seen in Behind the Scenes (1914.) From Mary Pickford's Estate. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Mary Pickford Stanbury Photos - White / Alice McClure - c. 1916

Mary Pickford Famous Players-Lasky Star Paramount Program photo by Alice McClure. Alice McClure started a photo studio on 5th Avenue in NYC that was best known for Broadway portraiture — an art that, at the time, was dominated by men. Throughout her career, she recognized the importance of photography in the world, and as such, immersed herself in photographic clubs and societies to advance the field. The text in the lower right corner is handwritten in ink and additionally hand-signed Stanbury, New York. This was master layout that was reshot for prints issued by Stanbury (Robert K. Stanbury of New York) c. 1916. I assume the print itself is from McClure (unless Stanbury made a copyprint prior to marking it with ink.) The prints made from this master do turn up from time to time as I have seen at least two. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford photo by White. Printed and issued by Stanbury (Robert K. Stanbury of New York.) Signature in negative. c. 1916. It is worth noting that I have seen another Stanbury print of this same photo that is slightly different. It also appears on a Stabury-issue pillow top. Part of NZ Photo Album.

A Stanbury advertisement announcing such photos that could be found in a variety of publications at the time. This ad is for reference only and is not part of the collection.

Mary Pickford - Signed Apeda Studios Photograph c. 1914

Lightly-tinted Mary Pickford 5.75x7 photo, stamped Apeda Studios (which is Art Photography Etchings Drawings and Architecture -- run by Alexander W. Dreyfoos Sr.) on reverse. Even still, was the photo taken by Apeda? It may actually be by White Studio. Hand-signed in ink. It's clear that Mary's handwriting changed like the wind, but this variant of her signature is seen around 1913/1914. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford - Hartsook Photos

In Hayden Talbot’s “My Life - As Told By Mary Pickford,” Mary said, “And don’t imagine for a moment that because one is a motion picture actress it makes posing at a photographer’s less an ordeal. Really, for me at any rate, it is the task I dread most. And more than once I have posed for portraits 15 hours without interruption.”

From about 1915 to 1919, Fred Hartsook (read that as the Hartsook Studios) captured some of the most well-known and well-used portraits of Mary Pickford ever to be taken by the still camera. It almost seems that during that stretch of time, not a movie magazine could be printed without at least one Hartsook Mary Pickford photo appearing somewhere within its pages. There were a great many taken, in a variety of settings and costume, but they all undeniably captured the intrinsic allure of Mary Pickford.

Mary Pickford in a somewhat interesting, non-typical portrait by Hartsook. Stamped Signature. This photo was taken at Mary's one-time leased home (1917-1918) at 1519 N. Western in Hollywood. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Mary Pickford in closing shot dress from the Fanchon the Cricket. While that's my favorite Pickford film, I'd hardly called this Fanchon the Cricket-related, but... Photo by Hartsook. 1915.

Mary Pickford in closing shot dress from the Fanchon the Cricket. While that's my favorite Pickford film, I'd hardly called this Fanchon the Cricket-related, but... Photo by Hartsook. 1915. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Portrait of Mary Pickford by Hartsook incidentally wearing a dress and hat that can be seen in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917.) 1917. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Trimmed Mary Pickford portrait by Hartsook. Very nice quality. 1915.

Mary Pickford portrait with flowers by Hartsook. 1915. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford portrait by Hartsook. 1915. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford portrait with flowers by Hartsook. 1915. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford portrait with flowers by Hartsook. Incidentally, Mary must have really liked this dress as she wears it in a good many portraits as well as in the film How Could You, Jean? (1918, even though she hated the film.) This photo was taken at Mary's one-time leased home (1917-1918) at 1519 N. Western in Hollywood. Part of NZ Photo Album

Mary Pickford portrait with flowers by Hartsook. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford portrait by Hartsook. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford portrait (2) by Hartsook. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford portrait by Hartsook. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford in white dress photo by Hartsook. ca. 1918. This photo was taken at Mary's one-time leased home (1917-1918) at 1519 N. Western in Hollywood. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Mary Pickford in white dress photo by Hartsook. ca. 1918. This photo was taken at Mary's one-time leased home (1917-1918) at 1519 N. Western in Hollywood. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford in A Little Princess costume with kittens photo by Hartsook. NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford in A Little Princess costume with kittens photo by Hartsook. NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford in a slightly modified A Little Princess costume. Photo by Hartsook. ca. 1917.

Mary Pickford in A Little Princess costume photo by Hartsook. c. 1917

Mary Pickford in A Little Princess costume photo by Hartsook. Curiously missing the Hartsook Studios mark. c. 1917. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford in A Little Princess costume photo by Hartsook. c. 1917. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford in A Little Princess costume photo by Hartsook. This particular print is interestingly on semi-glossy stock as opposed to the matte stock often used by Hartsook Studios. c. 1917. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford in grass. 1917. This photo was taken at Mary's one-time leased home (1917-1918) at 1519 N. Western in Hollywood. Photo by Hartsook.

Mary Pickford in grass. 1917. This photo was taken at Mary's one-time leased home (1917-1918) at 1519 N. Western in Hollywood. Photo by Hartsook. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford in grass. 1917. This photo was taken at Mary's one-time leased home (1917-1918) at 1519 N. Western in Hollywood. Photo by Hartsook.

Mary Pickford in grass. 1917 This photo was taken at Mary's one-time leased home (1917-1918) at 1519 N. Western in Hollywood. Photo by Hartsook. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford in grass. 1917. This photo was taken at Mary's one-time leased home (1917-1918) at 1519 N. Western in Hollywood. Photo by Hartsook. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Portrait of Mary Pickford by Hartsook. Not that is means anything, but she wears this dress in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917,) coincidentally with daisies affixed to it. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Portrait of Mary Pickford by Hartsook. Not that is means anything, but she wears this dress in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917,) coincidentally with daisies affixed to it. Part of NZ Photo Album. My personal favorite photos by Hartsook. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Portrait of Mary Pickford by Hartsook. Not that is means anything, but she wears this dress in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917,) coincidentally with daisies affixed to it. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Closeup portrait of Mary Pickford by Hartsook incidentally in an outfit that can be seen in Daddy Long Legs (1919.) Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary and her mother Charlotte Pickford. Photo by Hartsook c. 1918. This photo was taken at Mary's one-time leased home (1917-1918) at 1519 N. Western in Hollywood.

Mary Pickford in A Little Princess costume photo by Hartsook. NZ Photo Album.

Portrait of Mary Pickford by Hartsook incidentally wearing a dress with hat that can be seen in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917.) 1917. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford photo by Hartsook ca. 1918. This photo was taken at Mary's one-time leased home (1917-1918) at 1519 N. Western in Hollywood. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford photo by Hartsook ca. 1918. This photo was taken at Mary's one-time leased home (1917-1918) at 1519 N. Western in Hollywood. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.

Mary Pickford posing in Lucy Duff-Gordon designed costume from The Little American (which was also worn during the Liberty Loan Campaign and probably other things.) Photo by Hartsook. 1917. Part of NZ Photo Album.

Mary Pickford posing in another costume from The Little American, which was designed by Lucy Duff-Gordon or Madame Frances (I'm not sure which as apparently both supplied dresses for the film.) Photo by Hartsook. 1917. Part of NZ Photo Album.