I am very, very fond of this photograph from the New York Public Library Digital Gallery - which is simply labelled "The Bullowa Girls" (though of course there is only one Bullowa Girl therein - the other must be offstage somewhere). So much so that she is my avatar, my Entrecard image - the whole kit and caboodle.
She sums up a lot of what the Dime Museum is all about, I think: she's late Victorian, a vaudeville actress, a little bit unusual (check out the hat!), artistic (I refer you to the tutu) - and firmly rooted in historical pop culture and entertainment. And she has some roots in New York (since she is from the Billy Rose Theater Collection, and resides at the New York Public Library).
There are two photo postcards showing this circus/vaudeville performer. She is identified as Carrie Bullowa, though the postcards are titled "The Bullowa Girls" - NYPL link is here. They are not dated but I would place them somewhere, very roughly, in the 1885-1910 period.
In the second picture the same woman appears to be at an outdoor circus or rodeo (don't know where) performing in a similar tutu and looking very pleased about it (which is more than i would be in similar circumstances!).
If anyone knows anything about Carrie or the other Bullowa Girls I would love to hear from you. I have been searching the census and though there were indeed Bullowas - primarily in New York and Chicago - in the 1880-1910 period, I was unable to locate Carrie.
I'm not giving up, though. And if I find her, I'll let you know.
(Images were cropped from the original postcards, which you can see via the link - so that you could see the photos better).
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Meet My Avatar!
Posted by Lidian at 1:54 PM
Labels: Ephemera, Old Postcards, Theatre People, Victorian Popular Culture, Victorian women
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18 Comments:
Hi, what a wonderful picture! I always liked your little picture for entrecard, but now that I see the whole picture it really is lovely. I think you summed it up so good, a little unusual a little artistic, and very victorian.
They worked for Will Hill’s Comedy Circus.
“Three very pretty maidens who perform artistic and daring feats on the tight wire are the Three Bullowa Girls, billed as “queens of the air.” These young misses dance, run, walk, and skip rope on the taut steel and do it as easily as anyone else would on terra firma.”
San Antonio Evening News. San Antonio, Texas. Saturday, May 15, 1920, Page 7.
I'm emailing a copy of their playbill to you.
fM
Did you try just looking up the name, as if it were a last name? There might be a family in New York which she came from.
Let us know if you find something. It would be nice to know who they were and what they did.
Thank you all for the kind comments - and a special huge thanks to fM, who never ceases to amaze!
She's so tiny, like a little doll...
Love the photo, I always wondered who she was :)
What a great picture. I love looking at old images :)
First off, Em, my daughter would like to know if that is a tornado you are standing in front of. She can't quite comprehend that the photo really isn't you.
Second, this is so cool. It's neat to hear about your avatar photo and who she really is. I at least know that really isn't you.
Third, have you check the Ellis Island entries for that time period. I found tons on my family on there to lead me elsewhere. Maybe she or her parents came in through Ellis Island. Being from NY I'm sure you have, but just thought I'd mention it.
I've always loved that photograph - it's neat learning more about who it is!
Whoever she is, she looks like she enjoyed life!
And it fits you so well! Love it!
those photographs are great! and that photo you use as your avatar is just awesomely fitting!
More thanks to all for the lovely comments - you make my day!
Kristie - Please do let Em know that that is not a tornado - though she's right, it surely looks like one and would sort of be amazing to use as a bakground if you could!
I reckon that it is a photographer's backdrop of some kind - I will see if I have any other photos with this sort of background to post. I think my grandfather posed in front of one about 1920.
She is not me, but I feel a sort of kinship with her and facially there is a slight resemblance I think!
Oh dear. "Background" of course, not bakground. Typing too fast, as if speaking, results in typos!
Sorry 'bout that!
I use an unknown photo for my logo and avatar- although, I call mine my "vintage muse."
Don't slap me but your avatar Bullowa girl- reminds me of the Marx brothers... with the hat and all she reminds me of Chico Marx in a tutu.
I can be found here
One of a Kind Wisconsin.
I love you avatar. That's what made me look at your the first time and now I'm hooked!
Sorry that should have read "That's what made me look at your blog the first time!"
Michelle - I love that she has a Marx Brothers vibe - she really does, you know - because I chose my 'stage name' Lidian in part because of my fondness for Groucho's song "Lydia the Tattooed Lady"! (although Lidian is NOT a tattooed lady)
('Lidian' is also a little bit for Emerson's second wife and also because I like it)
Sarahanne, thank you - you also have a lovely avatar!
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