Pre 1897 thumbnails

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KEITH FRASER, MISS
Neg. No: GP (L) 1358
Neg. Size: 15"x12"
Neg. Date: 03-07-1897

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Sitter: Miss Helena Violet Alice Keith Fraser, later Countess of Stradbroke (d 1949)

Miss Helena Violet Alice Keith Fraser, later Countess of Stradbroke (d. 1949).

Biog: D.B.E. cr. 1927; only daughter of Lt.-Gen. James Keith Fraser; m (1898) 3rd Earl of Stradbroke, Governor of Victoria.

Role: Delilah/an African Queen.

Date: 2nd July 1897.

Occasion: The Devonshire House Ball, 2 July 1897.

Location: Devonshire House, Piccadilly, London, W.

Descr: FL standing.

Costume: "...a beautifully embroidered robe of mauve crepe de Chine embroidered in Oriental colours, a gold sash encrusted with jewels, and scarlet drapery falling from the shoulders at the back; her headdress was of silver, with wings at the side." (The Queen, 10 July 1897, p 73c).

Costume Supplier: Mrs Mason, 4 New Burlington Street, London W.

Jewellery: -(1)

Furniture & Props: Painted backdrop.

Photographer: The firm of J. Lafayette, 179 New Bond Street, London, W.

Evidence of photographer at work: -

No of poses: 2 [see also neg no 1359]. 
copyright V&A
copyright V&A

Copyright: V&A

All images on this site are copyright V&A. For further information on using or requesting copies of any images please contact the V&A Picture Library: vaimages@vam.ac.uk including the URL of the relevant page

Provenance: Pinewood Studios; acquired 1989.

References:

Biog: Burke's Peerage (see Fraser, Bt. & Stradbroke); A. Winton Thorpe, ed., Handbook to The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, (facsimile edition), London, 1988.

Role: (African Queen) The Court Circular, 10 July 1897, p 625a; The Court Journal, 10 July 1897, p 1247c; The Gentlewoman, 10 July 1897, p 56b; The Queen, 10 July 1897, p 73c; The Sketch, 14 July 1897, p 488; (Delilah) Vanity Fair, 8 July 1897, p 27a; Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball, July 2 1897: A Collection of Portraits in Costume of Some of the Guests, privately printed, 1899, p 125, (National Portrait Gallery Archives).

Occasion: Sophia Murphy, The Duchess of Devonshire's Ball, London, 1984; (listed as part of Oriental Procession) The Morning Post, 3 July 1897, p 7e; The Times, 3 July 1897, p 12a.

Costume: The Court Circular, 10 July 1897, p 625a; The Court Journal, 10 July 1897, p 1247c; The Gentlewoman, 10 July 1897, p 56b; The Queen, 10 July 1897, p 73c.

Costume Supplier: Vanity Fair, 8 July 1897, p 18b.

Jewellery: -

Photographer: The Daily Telegraph, 3 July 1897, p 9f; Black & White, 10 July 1897, p 38b.

Reproduced: (Version) The Sketch, 14 July 1897, p 488; (Version) Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball, July 2 1897: A Collection of Portraits in Costume of Some of the Guests, privately printed, 1899, p 125, (National Portrait Gallery Archives).

1. "Real jewellery borrowed from her aunt" (Vanity Fair, 8 July 1897, p 27a.)