Hotel Metropole, Brighton – 1915
Amy Webster – Daily Telegraph & Courier (London) – Saturday 27th March 1909
Eric Loder – Sunday Pictorial – Sunday Mirror – Sunday 23rd May 1920
SOCIETY WEDDING.
Major Eric Loder and Iris Lady Lawson, who have just married.. Major Loder is a good tennis player and in March beat the Prince of Wales.
Sunday Pictorial – Sunday 23rd May 1920
Eric Loder – Sunday Pictorial – Sunday 30th July 1922
GUIDING BABY FEET
Mrs. Eric Loder, the charming wife of Major Eric Loder, with her little daughter Pamela happy in the grounds of Woodlands, Farnham Common, Bucks. Mrs. Eric Loder is the daughter of the Hon. Eustace Fitzgerald.
Sunday Pictorial – Sunday 30th July 1922
The Gaiety Restaurant – London Evening Standard – Monday 18th October 1869
THE GAIETY RESTAURANT.
The Gaiety Theatre is already honourably distinguished among all other play-houses in London for its elegance, and for the pains taken by the lessee to secure the comfort and protect the pockets of the persons who visit it. On and after to-day the house will present a fresh attraction in consequence of the opening of the restaurant that has been added to the theatre. The ample space at the command of the architect has been turned to excellent account, and a series of handsome rooms, running from the Strand into Catherine-street, have been erected. There are very spacious cellars, a large cafe, extensive dining, smoking and billiard rooms, and some smaller apartments, where cosy parties of four or five will doubtless often have dinner before, or supper after, the theatrical performances. The restaurant opens into the theatre, and though it may be too much to suppose that the agreeable French custom of adjourning to coffee during the entr’actes will be generally observed, we expect that not a few sensible and thirsty persons will, in future, prefer to stroll for a quarter of an hour from the theatre to the restaurant for a quiet cigar, instead of remaining in their seats to listen to the hammers of the scene-shifters or the preliminary melodies of the orchestra. Comparisons are often drawn between the enormous crowds that visit the French theatres nightly, and the scanty audiences attracted to the English theatres, though they are smaller in size, fewer in number, and cheaper in price than the Parisian houses. Perhaps English managers would be more prosperous if they could contrive to make a visit to their theatres a little less of a penance. The stoutest playgoer cannot but feel sometimes appalled at the prospect of sitting, from seven o’clock till half-past eleven or twelve, in an uncomfortable chair, in a heated atmosphere, cramped as to his arms and legs, with no sort of refreshment but South African sherry and leathery buns, and no opportunity of relaxation except a walk in the streets. In an age when the humanity of the legislature prohibits even the overcrowding of bullocks and pigs on their way to the slaughter-house, surely some voice might be raised against the callous indifference of so many theatrical managers to the comfort and enjoyment of their patrons. It is because we hail with pleasure any change for the better in these respects that we are glad to give publicity and encouragement to the opening to the Gaiety restaurant.
London Evening Standard – Monday 18th October 1869
See See – (Rotary 4038 T)
The reverse of the autographed card shows just the recipient’s address which was common for fans to send a stamped addressed postcard requesting an autograph.
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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