Vesta Tilley Postcard Philco Series Seated Portrait

Description

Vesta Tilley Postcard Philco Series Seated Portrait

Graceful later-life portrait of Vesta Tilley, the beloved music hall male impersonator, captured in elegant attire for the Philco Series.

Measurements: approx. 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches
Dates: not available
Condition: In decent vintage condition. Please inspect images for quality.
Internal notes: QC passed

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With quiet dignity and gentle poise, Vesta Tilley is shown seated in a soft-focus studio portrait — her hands adorned with rings, her gaze steady yet warm. A long string of pearls drapes across her dark dress, and the delicate textures of fur and silk suggest the graceful twilight of a storied career in performance.

Published by Philco Series, this real photographic postcard was likely produced in the later years of Tilley’s public life, perhaps around her retirement following World War I. Born Matilda Alice Powles, Tilley became a pioneering figure of the British music hall, famed for her gender-challenging roles and patriotic wartime performances. This portrait shows her beyond the stage persona — a respected public figure whose influence outlasted her theatrical fame. The reverse includes a wartime-era slogan: “Invest in Government Securities”, situating this print within the 1910s–1920s.

Such portraits offer collectors a tender glimpse into the private lives of celebrated performers. This card preserves not only a visual record of Vesta Tilley, but also the broader cultural shift from Edwardian performance to post-war remembrance. A timeless piece for those invested in theatre history, gender studies, or vintage photographic archives.

Categories:
ephemera, performers, postcards, theatre, vintage

Tags:
philco, tilley, vesta, theatre, performer, portrait, vintage, music-hall

Focus Keyword:
vesta tilley postcard

Suggested Internal Link Keywords:
vesta tilley, philco series, music hall ephemera, theatrical portrait, vintage performers