Polaire

Polaire was her stage name, (Emilie Marie Bouchaud),  May 14, 1874 – October 14, 1939,Polaire's career in the entertainment industry stretched from the early 1890s to the mid-1930s, and encompassed the range from music-hall singer to stage and film actress. Her most successful period professionally was from the mid-1890s to the beginning of the First World War. 

Source: lowmorale

Old Japan

Old Photos of Japan: Family in Formal Wear 1910s

Source: oldphotosjapan

Millie Owens

Meet Miss Millie Owens of New York City....in 1871,  by Okinawa Soba

Source: flickr

Florence and Mary Martin

The Long Haired albino babes, sisters Florence and Mary Martin were "employees" of  P T Barnum  of New York during the 1800s. 

Source: flickr

Sarah Bernhardt

Sarah Bernhardt, in character as the Empress Theodora in Sardou’s “Theodora. William Downey 

Source: tuesday-johnson | J. Cosmas Vintage Photography, Albumen and Silver Prints Collection

Pantomimist

Haha, this gentleman is a [Pantomimist] Unknown, American, 1870–79 

Source: metmuseum | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Baby Belmont

 “Baby Belmont” in costume with opera glasses, Cartes-de-visiteca. 1855-95 

 Source: Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

African American Portrait

Daughter of Thomas E. Askew, head-and-shoulders portrait, with open book , 1899 - 1900,  Askew Thomas E. photographer

Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA |   African American Photographs Assembled for 1900 Paris Exposition

C.W. Post

Charles William "C.W." Post (1854-1914), was an American breakfast cereal and foods manufacturer and a pioneer in the prepared-food industry.

cardcow

Liliʻuokalani

Liliʻuokalani (September 2, 1838 – November 11, 1917), born Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamakaʻeha, was the last monarch and only queen regnant of the Kingdom of Hawaii. She was also known as Lydia Kamakaʻeha Pākī, with the chosen royal name of Liliʻuokalani, and her married name was Lydia K. Dominis.

Source: wikimedia

Lucy Webb Hayes

Lucy Ware Webb Hayes, (28 August 1831 – 25 June 1889) was a First Lady of the United States and the wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes. Mrs. Hayes had been a supporter of the women's rights movement. After her marriage she followed her husband's beliefs that women should take care of the home and family. They had eight children. Three of the eight died in infancy. When he became President, she banned alcohol from the White House, earning her the nickname 'Lemonade Lucy'. Still, her parties and diplomatic events at the mansion were well-received, and it was said that the First Lady's cheerful spirit eased the atmosphere almost as well as liquor might have.She was antislavery throughout her life. 

Source: classroomhelp | Library of Congress

Victorian Vride

Victorian Bridal Portrait (1910)

Source: vintageblackfolk

Portrait

Two women posed, seated, Saigon, South Vietnam from the Carpenter Collection, ca. 1890-1923

Source:  The Library of Congress | flickr | pingnews.com

Grace Johnson

Grace Nail Johnson (Mrs. James Weldon Johnson), bridal photo in Panama 1910. The wife of poet and civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson, Grace Nail Johnson, know as the "Grand Dame of Harlem," was a popular hostess who brought together Harlem’s artistic and political elite. A steadfast supporter of the battle to increase civil liberties, Mrs. Johnson lent her famous name to organizations campaigning for fair wages and increased job opportunities for African Americans.

Source: americanwomeninthearts | wikimedia

Satin Mules

 satin mules with ribbon trim. French, 1900-20

Source: pinterest

C.J. Walker

Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, (December 23, 1867 – May 25, 1919) was an American businesswoman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, commonly regarded as the first African-American millionaire.

Source: sweetchicsha | google

Harriet Marshall

Harriet Gibbs Marshall was born in Victoria, British Columbia, (1868-1941). In 1869 her family moved to Oberlin, Ohio. Marshall began her study of music at the age of nine and continued the pursuit at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music where she studied piano, pipe organ, and voice culture. Graduating in 1889, she was the first African American to complete the program and earn a Mus.B. degree, which at the time was Oberlin’s equivalent of a Bachelor of Music degree.

Source: blackpast

Twins

Millie and Christine McCoy (1851-1912) were conjoined twins born into slavery. They and their mother were sold to a showman, Joseph Smith. Smith and his wife educated the girls; they eventually could speak five languages, dance, play music, and sing. They were known as 'The Two Headed Nightingale'. In the 1880s they retired and purchased a small farm. Millie died of tuberculosis at age 61, with Christine following hours later. They remain one of the oldest-lived set of conjoined twins.

Daisy and Violet Hilton (1908-1969), conjoined twins. The pretty and talented twins worked in the sideshow and vaudeville (with Bob Hope). They also appeared in the movies 'Freaks' and 'Chained for Life'. They had a few short-lived publicity marriages. They couldn't get work in the 60s and ended up abandoned by their manager and penniless. They worked at a supermarket the last eight years of their lives. After not reporting for work, it was discovered they had died of influenza.

Life was difficult for these sets of conjoined twins because they are what society called not "normal". However, they did a great job going on with their lives the best they could. It is encouraging how we as a society is now more accepting toward people who are "different".

Source:  pinterest

Aida Walker

Aida Overton Walker (14 February 1880 – 11 October 1914), also known as Ada Overton Walker and as "The Queen of the Cakewalk", was an African-American  Vaudeville performer and wife of George Walker

Sourcce: songbook1| google

George Walker

Williams & Walker

George Walker (1873 – 1911) was an African American vaudevillian. In 1893, in San Francisco, Walker met Bert Williams who became his performing partner.- vintage

 Source: wikipedia