Cross-dressing photograph collection, circa 1890-1930.

Format:

Other

Contributor:

Craig D. Ritchie Bequest Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cross-dressing.

Female impersonators.

Gender expression.

Male impersonators.

Theater.

Genre:

photographs.

picture postcards.

postcards.

Penn Provenance:

Sold by Max Rambod Inc, 2024.

Physical Description:

1 box (0.1 linear feet)

Place of Publication:

circa 1890-1930.

Language Note:

eng

Biography/History:

This collection is comprised of photographs, many of them printed as postcards, depicting people cross-dressing for portraits, theater, and other purposes. Cross-dressing is the act of wearing clothes associated with a different gender. It is dressing contrary to the standards for a person of their gender in their own society and has been practiced in order to disguise, comfort, entertain, and express oneself. Cross-dressing is often a way of expressing one's gender. The gender identities of those pictured in this collection is unclear. Therefore, it is not certain if these individuals are cross-dressing to express gender identity, or for other purposes, such as theater performances. In Western culture cross-dressing was common in theatrical performances. All male acting troupes filled female roles with boys or young men and, in the 19th and 20th centuries, it became more common to see women performing the roles of young boy characters like Peter Pan. In the United States there were laws beginning in the 1840s that prohibited people from wearing clothing associated with the opposite sex because it was labeled as indecent or immoral. These laws, often called masquerade laws and the three-article rule, dictated that a person had to be wearing three pieces of clothing that were associated with their sex. These laws did not stop people from cross-dressing. From the United States Civil War there are accounts of women dressing as male soldiers to join the war effort. Many of these laws were not repealed until the 1970s and 1980s. Many of the photographs in this collection are picture postcards. The earliest known picture post card was created in 1840 in London. They became popular in the late 19th century with the “golden age of postcards” (Bassett) dating from 1890 to 1915. Many of the postcards during this period depicted monuments or architectural marvels like the Eiffel Tower. It was also common for people to print their personal and family photos on postcards because it was relatively inexpensive.

Summary:

The cross-dressing photograph collection measures 0.1 linear feet and dates from circa 1890 to 1930. The collection contains 17 photographs including one tintype, one cabinet card, three silver gelatin prints, and twelve real photograph post cards. While many of these images appear to depict cross-dressing in the context of theater or costume, some show personal portraits that could demonstrate personal expression and identity. There is very little information about the people in the photographs but a few of them have names written on the photograph and a few of the postcards are addressed to people. All names are transcribed in the collection inventory. This collection provides visual evidence of how and, occasionally, why people subverted gender norms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unless otherwise noted, photographs listed in inventory are real photograph postcards.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Craig D. Ritchie Bequest Fund.

OCLC:

1498263900