Gabrielle Ray – Returns from America – 1923
Gabrielle Ray sailed on the Majestic, of the White Star Dominion Line from New York, America, arriving at Southampton, England on 21st December 1923. Her proposed address is the De Vere Hotel, Hyde Park, London and her occupation is listed as nil.
Memories of the past – The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.) – 1942
An old postcard album revives memories of the past
Ideas were simpler and sentiments more straightforward when Edward VII reigned
By Z. B. Webb
Nowadays the postcard album is tucked away in the dark corner of a cupboard or set upon the highest shelf, to the mercy of the dust and the silverfish. But, 30 years ago the postcard craze had reached such heights of popularity that its devotees even posted cards to themselves, since an album had to be filled with cards that had been through the post.
An old album recently brought to the light of day reveals the hobby of the early century, bringing back memories of half forgotten days.
The year 1907 is heralded in by a postcard depicting the numerals, formed of forget-me-nots being carried by 4 boys, each holding aloft a shamrock. The recipient of the card would have no difficulty in deciphering the message of luck during the year with a hint that the sender be not forgotten.
Old songs are brought to remembrance by sets of cards, each one bearing averse of the ditty. Sad songs they were, in the beginning of the century. “When I Lost You,” “Don’t Forget Mignonette,” “It’s Only a Beautiful Picture In a Beautiful Golden Frame.”
Photographs of actresses formed a hobby in themselves. There were Mabel Love, Phyllis and Zena Dare, Gabrielle Ray, Pauline Chase, Carrie Moore, and a host of others.
Tinselled cards became the boom, and, for a small charge, stationers would inscribe a name or message, as well as decorate a picture. The writing was done with gum, the tinsel shaken upon it, and, when the gum dried, the words would shine forth in luminous magnificence. So carefully the tinselled cards were preserved. The old album still has the protecting layers of tissue paper over the gleaming inscriptions.
A Japanese card, showing a map of Japan, with the characteristic writing, another with the picture of a Japanese lady, tell of a small boy visiting the foreign warships and fraternising with the sailors.
Memories of an old wreck are revived by a picture of the sinking ship, going down with its flags flying. A Past and-Present series shows Melbourne Cricket-ground, 1860, and Melbourne Cricket ground Today, the “Today” being, to modern eyes, very much a yesterday.
The comic section exhibits mainly the practical joke type of humour “If you don’t see the point, you’d better not sit down till you do” is the caption illustrating an old man about to sit on a chair while a grinning youngster in the rear surveys a huge tack upon the chair seat.
Another old Joke is the perennial one of a swimmer in a lake watching a bull making havoc with the swimmer’s clothes upon the shore. To the modern mind the bather need not be afraid to leave the water and walk home, since the old time bathing gown Is a full dress uniform in Itself.
The Dam Family At The Seaside is one of a series depicting Mr and Mrs I. B. Dam, Mr U. B Dam, Miss O Dam, the Dam Twins, the Dam Slavey, the Dam Dog, the Dam Cat, and the Dam Photographer. Nowadays, there does not seem much humour in the group, but, to the last generation, the family was probably very funny.
Imitation stamps seem to have been popular, printed representations forming decorations around many of the views. Cats were favourite subjects of postcard artists. There are lively kittens playing ball, some tearing flowers, and others in mischief with a sewing basket.
Christmas cards are mostly of the English variety, the landscapes being covered with snow and the borders being surrounded by holly. Efforts to be truly Australian produce Binghi, au natural or partly civilised “Australian aborigines with kangaroo,” “Group of West Australian natives,” “Aborigines ready for a corroboree.” In the last picture “ready for a photograph” seems a better description, for, although garishly painted the warriors are old men, with sagging bodies, and dressed in trousers of various designs from slacks to plus fours.
To modern minds, the hobby of postcard collecting seems a strange pastime, but every craze has its day. No doubt, the next generation will look at old crossword puzzles and marvel at people having been amused by them.
About
One of my main interests is a love of old pictures and postcards that give us a brief glimpse into a past and often forgotten age.
Collecting old postcard and pictures enables the viewer to glimpse a brief moment from that individual’s life; often far removed from their own either by the passage of time or social class. Social History, often described as “history from below” shows everyday people, their social structure and the interaction of different groups; like the wealthy and politicians these people helped shape and maintain society and so shape history.
Examining the images one can’t help but wonder how the individuals lived, were their lives hard compared with today and were they happy. Often the images come with little or no information that can answer these questions, one can only imagine.
With each image saved and seen by others, so that moment, that person is kept alive, our understanding is increased and so our lives are enriched.
A picture is often more descriptive than words can ever be, but how true is this, if a picture enables us to gain entry to another time, another world, will, like the view from a different window, even in the same house provide a different image?
These images allow a glimpse into another time, another era; but what preceded or followed this image? As the individuals were positioned and posed like an artist’s model is what we see truly reflective or like the slightly softened image of an aging beauty a less that truthful representation?
I am reminded of a documentary I watched several years ago regarding the returning troops from the front during the First World War. The camera images show a broken, demoralised sea of humanity, young men who having seen images that most of us hope never to witness had lost that sparkle; that zest which only youth has. But bring on the news camera and that battered returning group came to life, the smiles returned and even though muddied and bloodied their heads and bodies became erect, their arms swung in time and they demonstrated a swagger that spoke of courage, defiance and determination; an image that gave hope to the viewer.
It seems to me that even in the early days of photography all was not what it appeared and now in the advancing digital age a picture may paint a thousand words but will it be factual or fiction?
My interests And collections vary from Maids, Nuns, religious dress and the more risqué images of the French Maid. Often when searching for a particular subject the boundaries cross and as well as true Maids we find Edwardian actresses dressed as Nuns or Maids. During one of my searches I came across Gabrielle Ray dressed as a Maid, “Susan” in Lady Madcap and was instantly captivated by her.
Collecting the individual cards isn’t enough; I like to know more about the individual, which is easier when that person is an actress, although often the information is scarce
Searching for information about Miss Ray I discovered that she was one of the most photographed women of the Edwardian era and described in “Temps” as the most beautiful woman in the United Kingdom; but sadly her success, if measured by being visibly working or in the public eye was short-lived. She struggled with depression and alcohol abuse, and her health declined. In 1936, she suffered a complete mental breakdown and was institutionalized for nearly forty years; dying in 1973 at Holloway Sanatorium at the age of 90.
There are several other sites and blogs dedicated to the memory of Miss Ray and my intention is to share my small but growing collection of pictures and postcards with anyone who shares my interest. Reading about Miss Ray I was saddened that this lady, like many others before and since, after a brief moment in the sun they are soon forgotten. Hopefully as people view and enjoy this blog her memory will remain alive for a little longer.
I have started to write a short Biography about Miss Ray which I will try to update as frequently as possible. The Index page will show any updates under the Biography catagory.
I have also tried to link the various postcards and pictures to the plays in which Miss Ray appeared, however I realise, after several errors that this isn’t an easy task as many are decorative studio poses rather than production images. The individual Rotary, Philco and other publishers numbers are included with any description which should make searching for a particular card or ones from the same set easier. If I have made any glaring errors please feel free to let me know.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy my collection as much as I do.
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