Gabrielle Ray – Wedding -The Birmingham Weekly Post – Saturday 2nd March 1912
MISS GABRIELLE RAY’S WEDDING.
BRIDE FAILS TO APPEAR.
SINGULAR AFFAIR
Miss Gabrielle Ray, the musical actress was not married yesterday. The general impression shared apparently the bridegroom – was her wedding Mr Eric Loder was to take place eleven o’clock at St Edward’s Roman Catholic Church, Windsor. A message from the Windsor correspondent of the “London Evening News” states that ceremony was fixed for the mentioned and Mr Loder was there, but after waiting for an hour he left in his motor car. The bridegroom did not enter the church but remained with Canon Longinotto, was to perform the ceremony. The organist arrived, and was ready to play the wedding march that had been specially written the occasion. The choir were there in their surplices, together with the registrar. After waiting for and hour the Canon sent word that the bride not yet arrived, and therefore present “had better leave the church.” The chancel was decorated with palms, arum lilies, white lilac, ferns, double stocks, and Cuban roses. Every preparation had made for a wedding, and it was understood that the bride would motor from London.
The mystery deepened as the result of an enquiry at noon by a Press representative at Miss Ray’s flat in Bolton Gardens, Kensington. He was informed by a maid that Miss Ray was at home, but after waiting a few minutes she returned with information that “I now find that Miss Ray is not at home.” At nine o’clock this morning a car containing three male friends the prospective bride and bridegroom called at Bolton Gardens. The men left the car and went to Ray’s flat. Shortly afterwards left with the expected bride. At noon another car called for Miss Ray in accordance with instructions. The chauffeur was informed that it would not be required.
Miss Gabrielle Ray, who is a little over 26 years of age, made her first appearance on the stage at the Princess’s Theatre on Oxford Street, as the child Geraldine in famous old play, “Green Bushes.” Other parts in connection with which Mr Eric Loder’s fiancée will be remembered were Thisbe in “The Orchid,” Lady Dorothy Congress in “The Little Cherub,” and So-Hie in “See-See” at Daly’s. Miss Gabrielle Ray was also one of the many “Merry Widows” engaged Mr George Edwardes to take the place of Miss Lily Elsie.
MERELY POSTPONED.
The Press Association says Miss Gabrielle Ray authorises the statement that she is ill in bed and the wedding is merely postponed.
The Birmingham Weekly Post – Saturday 2nd March 1912
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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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