Souvenir of the Salon of Fragrance & Fair Women – 1911
In 2013 I found a copy of Salon of Fragrance and Fair Women – 1911 in a library
and they kindly gave me a few copies from their original, now I have my own copy
Gabrielle Ray – A Salon of Fragrance and Fashion – The London Evening Standard – Monday 27th March 1911
To Help the Middlesex Hospital
(Prince Francis of Teck Memorial Fund.)
DURING THE ALL-BRITISH SHOPPING WEEK
Harrods have opened a “Salon of Fragrance and Fair Women,” where, under the personal patronage of his Serene Highness Prince Alexander of Teck, leading actresses have volunteered to sell during this week the British Eau de Cologne made by the old British House of Luce of Jersey and Southampton. Messrs. Luce have generously supplied their perfumes free for the occasion, so that the entire proceeds may be devoted to the Hospital Fund. The public will have the opportunity of buying British perfume at ordinary prices from the hands of the fairest ladies of the British stage and incidentally of assisting this most deserving fund. Among the ladies who have so kindly given their services are the following:
Miss Maude Allan, Miss Phyllis Dare, Miss Doris Lytton,
Miss Pearl Autrere, Miss Constance Drever, Miss Olive May,
Miss, Audrienne Augarde, Miss Clara Evelyn, Miss Lillah McCarthy,
Miss Phyllis Bedlles, Miss Madge Fabian, Miss Nancy More,
Miss Chrissie Bell, Miss Audrey Ford, Miss Unity More,
Miss Stephanie Bell, Miss Gladys Guy, Miss Gabrielle Ray,
Miss Lilian Braithwaite, Miss Elvira Hardinge, Miss Gertrude Robins,
Miss Beatrice von Brunner, Miss Iris Hoey, Miss Dorothy Selborne,
Miss Nell Carter, Miss Ola Humphrey, Miss Lily Shepheard,
Miss Dolly Castles, Miss Julia James, Miss Blanche Stocker,
Miss Pauline Chase, Miss Frances Kapstowne, Miss Connie Stewart,
Miss Ivy Lilian Close, Miss Ruby Kennedy, Miss Madge Titheradge,
Miss Cicely Courtneidge, Miss Evelyn Lawrie, Miss Rosalie Toiler,
Miss Laura Cowie, Miss Marie Lohr, Miss Jessie Winter.
The London Evening Standard – Monday 27th March 1911
Gabrielle Ray – A Salon of Fragrance and Fashion – The Marylebone Mercury – Saturday 25th March 1911
LONDON’S BEAUTIFUL WOMEN
Assist the Middlesex Hospital.
A SALON OF FRGRANCE AND FASHION.
One of the most attractive efforts ever made in the cause of charity forms the chief social function of the All-British Shopping Week in London.
Everyone remembers the magnificent work of the late Prince Francis of Teck, and his endeavours to reduce the liabilities of the Middlesex Hospital, Mortimer Street, Marylebone, and neatly everyone has heard of the eminently sensible tribute to the memory of the late Prince in the “Prince Francis of Teck Memorial Fund.” H.S.H. Prince Alexander of Teck has, with characteristic energy, applied himself to carrying on his late brother’s philanthropic undertaking. In spite of his many duties, the Prince works three days a week at the hospital, and there is now every reason to expect that this most deserving and necessary institution will soon stand on a sound financial basis.
The latest scheme to help the Fund is the result of a gift from Messrs. Luce’s of Jersey of over £5OO worth of their British Eau-de-Cologne.
Messrs. Harrods, have placed at the disposal of the Prince a special Salon for the sale of the perfumery, and Miss Gertrude Robins has organised a committee from among the leading ladies of the theatrical profession who will preside at the Stalls of what she happily calls, “The Salon of Fragrance and Fair Women.”
Miss Robins is of course the well-known Actress-playwright. Her performance with Mr. Granville Barker is one of the artistic delights of Miss Lillah McCarthy’s present season at the Little Theatre. Miss Robins comedies, “Makeshifts” and “Pot Luck” are among the gems of English dramatic literature:
Every afternoon from March 27th, the public may purchase perfume from the gracious hands of some of the most distinguished and beautiful ladies of the Theatrical Profession. Never before have so many stars of the first magnitude been associated in the cause of charity, for they represent the cream of the English stage which is the envy of all the nations for the loveliness and grace of its fair women.
There will be no charge for admission to this Salon of Delights, nor will there be any increase in the price of the perfumery.
Luce’s Eau-de Cologne will be sold in the regular sizes from a shilling per bottle. Afternoon teas will be obtainable as usual in the Refreshment Rooms
Among those assisting are : Miss Maud Allan Miss, Audrienne Augarde, Miss Lilian Braithwaite, Miss Nell Carter, Miss Dolly Castles, Miss Pauline Chase, Miss Laura Cowie, Miss Lillah McCarthy, Miss Phyllis Dare, Miss Constance Dreyer, Miss Clara Evelyn, Miss Madge Fabian, Miss Audrey Ford, Miss Iris Hoey, Miss Ola Humphrey, Miss Julia James, Miss Marie Lohr, Miss Doris Lytton, Miss Mabel Love, Miss Cicely Courtneidge, Miss Olive May, Miss Unity More, Miss Gabrielle Ray, Miss Nina Sevening, Miss Madge Titheradge, Miss Rosalie Toiler, Miss Ethel Warwick.
The Salon will be open daily at two o’clock.
The Marylebone Mercury – Saturday 25th March 1911
Gabrielle Ray – Salon of Fragrance and Fair Women – The Daily Mirror – Wednesday 22nd March 1911
ACTRESSES TO HELP HOSPITAL.
Salon of Fragrance and Fair Women During All British Shopping Week.
One of the most interesting features of the all British shopping week will be a novel appeal to the public to help the Middlesex Hospital, for which Prince Alexander of Teck is carrying on the work upon which his brother, the late Prince Francis, was engaged at the time of his death.
Under Prince Alexander’s patronage, Miss Gertrude Robins has organised a committee of the most beautiful and popular London actresses to sell in aid of the hospital British made eau de Cologne in a “salon of fragrance and fair women” placed at their disposal by Messrs. Harrods. The scent will be supplied free by the makers, Messrs. Luce, of Southampton.
Among the ladies who have offered their services are Miss Maud Allan, the classical dancer; Miss Lilian Braithwaite, Miss Pauline Chase, beloved of Peter Pan lovers; Miss Ivy Lilian Close, Miss Phyllis Dare, Miss Marie Lohr, Miss Lillah McCarthy, and Miss Gabrielle Ray.
The Daily Mirror – Wednesday 22nd March 1911
Salon of Fragrance and Fair Women – The Stage – Thursday 30th March 1911
CHIT CHAT
Miss Gertrude Robins, Miss Pauline Chase, Miss Nell Carter, Miss Phyllis Beddells, Miss Laura Cowie, Miss Phyllis Dare, Miss Iris Hoey, Miss Dolly Castles, Miss Marie Lohr, Miss Maud Allan, Miss Lilian Braithwaite, Miss Constance Drever, Miss Cicely Courtneidge. Miss Gabrielle Ray, Miss Madge Titheradge, Miss Julia James, Miss Ola Humphrey, Miss Lily Shepheard, and Miss Audrey Ford were among the actresses who, in the “Salon of Fragrance and Fair Women” at Harrods, sold scent on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in aid of the Prince Francis of Teck Memorial Fund.
The Stage – Thursday 30th March 1911
Red Cross Day – The Daily Mirror – 1915
Red Cross Day
Famous Women and Well-known Actresses as Harrods “Assistants”
Those who go a shopping at Harrods in the Brompton road today will find there such an array of charming “assistants” as never before was known.
This Harrods Red Cross Day, and famous women and well-known actresses are acting as Harrods saleswomen for to-day only, and a percentage of all takings in the big store goes to swell the funds of the British Red Cross.
For instance, men who go to buy socks or ties may be served by lady Randolph Churchill or Lady Maud Warrender.
The Duchess of Rutland, Lady Anglesey, Lady Curzon, Lady Diana Manners, and Miss Cunard will attend at the jewellery counters.
Miss Ethel Levey and Miss Dorothy Minto will explain the beauties of the very “nuttiest” thing in men’s shirts; Lady Alexander and Miss Gertie Millar are in the fruit and flower department.
You may buy your lace from Miss Margaret Cooper, your groceries from LadyFripp, a fan from Miss Gladys Cooper, a box of cigars from Lady Astbury, and a box of Christmas crackers from Miss Gabrielle Ray or Miss Iris Hoey.
It is not a bazaar; everyday prices rule. The sales-women will have a collecting box and if any customer should feel inclined to pay a little more than the marked price of his purchase, well – all that is put into the collecting boxes goes direct to the Red Cross.
The Daily Mirror, 1st December 1915
All British Shopping Week – 1911
Famous Actresses as Saleswomen.
The All British shopping week at Harrod’s has provided an opportunity for a further appeal on behalf of the Middlesex Hospital. The hall, which was formally devoted to costume models from Paris, has been transformed into “a salon of fragrance and fair women,” a title which suggests the scene in the afternoon when some of London’s most famous actresses temporarily assumed the duties of saleswomen.
On a number of tables daintily draped in lavender and gold, with a plentiful splashing of the national colours were displayed the wares of which they had undertaken to dispose – neat little bottles of British eau-de-cologne made by the British house of Luce who are established at Jersey and Southampton. This form had supplied the perfumes gratuitously in order that the hospital might benefit to the fullest possible extent.
All approaches to the salon were closed at two o’clock and at a quarter to three, when the sale began the hall speedily filled by a crown which had been gathering in volume for the previous half-hour. Prince Alexander of Teck was unfortunately unable to attend, but he was represented by Lord Duncannon. Among the ladies who gave their services were: Miss Maud Allan, Miss Phyllis Dare, Miss Lillian Braithwaite, Miss Pauline Chase, Miss Marie Lohr, Miss Lillah McCarthy, Miss Gabrielle Ray, Miss Audrienne Augarde, and Miss Constance Drever.
Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser – Tuesday 28th March 1911
PATRIOTISM IN TRADE.
[from our own correspondent.]
London, March 31. This week has been a great time in shopping centres—it has been the ” All-British Shopping Week,” and all the shopkeepers gave undertaking to dress their windows with goods ” all guaranteed British fabric and manufacture,” or ” mainly British”— this latter saving clause sometimes merely meaning that though the materials have been imported from foreign countries, British labour has brought them to their present state of completion. Brisk buying is reported, and not only have the displays resulted in business, but they have furnished many useful lessons which will doubtless have an important bearing in the future of British trade.
Until this week no one had any idea of the vast range of things having origin in some part of the British Empire. At the outset of the awakening, one is, inclined to wonder why anything of foreign origin is ever asked for at all, for, apparently, everything that is a necessity can be produced within the Empire, to say nothing of much that is luxurious.
Without a doubt Harrod’s was the centre of principal attraction, for arrangements had been made that a number of actresses, well known and popular, should preside over the Salon of Fragrance and Fair Women, in order to sell All-British Eau tie Cologne, the proceeds to go to the Prince Francis of Teck memorial fund, now being raised to clear the Middlesex Hospital from debt. The sale was organised by Miss Gertrude Robins, and the whole of the scent Mas supplied free for the benefit of the fund by Messrs. Luce, of Southampton and Jersey. Most of the purchasers went away with more bottles of scent than they could comfortably carry, to say nothing of securing a souvenir in the shape of a book of photographs of the saleswomen and of obtaining their autographs. Some who volunteered for this duty for “sweet charity’s sake” were: “Miss Pauline Chase (of “Peter Pan” fame). Miss Lilian Braithwaite, Miss Phyllis Dare, Miss Ola Humphreys, Miss Lilah McCarthy, Miss Made Titheradge, Miss Marie Lohr, Miss Olive May, Miss Gabrielle Ray, Miss Adrienne Augarde, and others too numerous to mention. Every day keen business resulted, and “fancy prices” were not permitted. It is expected that when the accounts are made up the hospital will have benefited in this way to the extent of at least £500. Miss Olive May remarked that the men looked extremely funny with their arms full of scent bottles and their pockets bulging with, more but they paid up splendidly, and were more generous than the women in paying for souvenirs. Some of the men must have taken away enough scent to last ten families a lifetime.” Each bottle displayed a miniature Union Jack on the stopper, and this immediately attracted attention. The room in which these actresses wore busy saleswomen was lavishly decorated with British blooms.
New Zealand Herald – Monday 8th May 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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