Gabrielle Ray – Bichara – Ritzol Preparations – The Daily Mirror – Wednesday 11th October 1911
MISS GABRIELLE RAY, the famous Gaiety actress, who writes of the Bichara and Ritzol Preparations: “I want to tell you that I think your preparations and perfumes are simply delightful, and that I use them with pleasure.”
Photo. by Fousham and Banfield
Miss Gabrielle Ray’s enthusiasm is shared by leading English and French actresses everywhere. Miss Ellaline Terriss, Miss Irene Vanbrugh, Mrs. Patrick Campbell, Miss Constance Dreyer, Miss Ethel Irving, Miss Elsie Spain, Mlle. Gaby Deslys, Mlle. Polaire, Mlle. Sahary Djeli, and countless others vie with one another in praise of “the delightful Bichara-Ritzol Preparations,” and the reason of this is not far to seek.
It is because the Bichara-Ritzol preparations are, first and foremost, prepared by sound scientific methods; possessing an added daintiness that is essentially Parisian. The Bichara-Ritzol preparations afford a certain means of preserving and enhancing beauty. They are based on a profound knowledge of the skin and the phenomena of the complexion; they are eminently pure, and leading medical men speak in high praise of their hygienic properties. They promote beauty by scientific methods -methods already famous all over the Continent, where the cult of beauty is a recognised profession demanding thorough qualifications – which, until but lately, were unknown in this country.
Mme. Rai, the Manageress of the Bichara Institute, in Piccadilly, is just now making an offer which, throughout Europe, is without parallel in the history of beauty culture. Her experience has been long and comprehensive, and she is convinced that the only certain way of affording to all women a full realisation of the beneficient qualities of the Bichara-Ritzol Preparations is that they should make a personal trial. To this end she offers a complete outfit of the Bichara-Ritzol Preparations and Specialities, in sufficient quantity, for a week’s full treatment
FREE TO ALL
who fill in the attached coupon and forward it to her – the only stipulation being that a P.O. for sixpence should be enclosed as evidence of good faith, which amount may be deducted from the cost of the first purchases. The preparations are contained in a dainty casket, accompanied by a copy of “The Golden Key,” Madame Rai’s invaluable treatise; and a personal letter of advice, the whole being enclosed in a plain, sealed box.
The Casket includes: Ritzol Skin Food, a preparation for use at night, whose emollient qualities obviate blemishes and restore to the face youthful roundness; Lait Veloute, Ritzol Cream, Ritzol Poudre – for the day toilet, the Veloute and Cream to give velvety freshness to the complexion, the powder adding a smooth sheen; Ritzol Concentrated Floral Perfume, a perennial scent; Ritzol Tooth Powder, giving pearly whiteness to the teeth and firmness to the gums.
The Daily Mirror – Wednesday 11th October 1911
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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