Gaby Deslys
(1881-1920), Actress and dancerGaby Deslys (Marie-Elise Gabrielle Caire)
Sitter in 60 portraits
First appeared at the Gaiety Theatre in 1906, as 'The Charm of Paris' in The New Aladdin, performing the 'Ju-Jitsu waltz', but the dance that made her famous was 'The Gaby Glide'. Famous for her extravagant clothes, jewels and millinery, she lived up to her notoriety. J.M. Barrie was so smitten by her that he wrote a one-act play for her, Rosy Rapture (1915). Gordon Selfridge gave her a rope of pearls as long as her height. Her last stage appearance was at the Casino de Paris, in Laissez-les Tomber! (1918). Deslys also worked as a spy for the French government during World War I and was famed for her high-profile liaisons with the King of Portugal, amongst others.
by Foulsham & Banfield, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1900s
NPG Ax160270
published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1900s
NPG Ax160394
published by Davidson Brothers
bromide postcard print, 1900s
NPG x138250
published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, mid 1900s
NPG x160493
by Bassano Ltd
bromide postcard print, mid 1900s
NPG x160494
by Unknown photographer
matte bromide postcard print, circa 1905
NPG Ax160272
by Unknown photographer
matte bromide postcard print, circa 1905
NPG Ax160273
S.K. Eida and Gaby Deslys in the new Ju-Jitsu waltz at the Gaiety
by Bassano Ltd, published by Andrew & George Taylor
bromide postcard print, 1906
NPG Ax160269
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 1907
NPG x101371
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 1907
NPG x101372
by Wrather & Buys, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1910s
NPG Ax160150
by Talbot, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, early 1910s
NPG Ax160151
by Foulsham & Banfield, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, early 1910s
NPG Ax160395
by Wrather & Buys, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1910s
NPG Ax160396
by Foulsham & Banfield, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, early 1910s
NPG Ax160397
by Foulsham & Banfield, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, early 1910s
NPG Ax160398
by Talbot, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, early 1910s
NPG Ax160399
by E. Veit
matte bromide postcard print, 1910
NPG Ax160406
published by Davidson Brothers
hand-coloured matte bromide postcard print, 1910s
NPG Ax160407
by E. Veit
hand-coloured matte bromide postcard print, 1910
NPG Ax160408
by Record Press, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1910s
NPG x160495
by Foulsham & Banfield
bromide postcard print, early 1910s
NPG x160496
by Bassano Ltd, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1910s
NPG x160497
by Foulsham & Banfield, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
hand-coloured bromide postcard print, circa 1910
NPG x160501
published by Davidson Brothers
bromide postcard print, early 1910s
NPG x160502
by Wrather & Buys, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1910s
NPG x138249
by Wrather & Buys, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1910s
NPG x200168
by Foulsham & Banfield, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1912
NPG Ax160149
Gaby Deslys modelling a hat by Maison Lewis
by Talbot, published by E.A. Schwerdtfeger & Co
hand-coloured matte bromide postcard print, 1913-1914
NPG Ax160400
by Talbot, published by E.A. Schwerdtfeger & Co
hand-coloured matte bromide postcard print, 1913-1914
NPG Ax160401
by Talbot, published by E.A. Schwerdtfeger & Co
hand-coloured matte bromide postcard print, 1913-1914
NPG Ax160402
by Talbot, published by E.A. Schwerdtfeger & Co
hand-coloured matte bromide postcard print, 1913-1914
NPG Ax160403
by Talbot, published by E.A. Schwerdtfeger & Co
hand-coloured matte bromide postcard print, 1913-1914
NPG Ax160404
by Talbot, published by E.A. Schwerdtfeger & Co
hand-coloured matte bromide postcard print, 1913-1914
NPG Ax160405
by Talbot
hand-coloured bromide postcard print, 1913-1913
NPG x160499
by Talbot
hand-coloured bromide postcard print, 1913-1914
NPG x160500
Basil Hallam; Gaby Deslys and Harry Pilcer in 'The Rajah's Ruby'
by Foulsham & Banfield, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1914
NPG Ax160268
Gaby Deslys and Basil Hallam in 'The Rajah's Ruby'
by Foulsham & Banfield, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1914
NPG Ax160275
Harry Pilcer and Gaby Deslys in 'The Rajah's Ruby'
by Foulsham & Banfield, published by J.J. Samuels Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1914
NPG Ax160276
Harry Pilcer and Gaby Deslys in 'The Rajah's Ruby'
by Foulsham & Banfield, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1914
NPG Ax160277
by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, 1915
NPG x198500
by Bassano Ltd
vintage bromide print on cream card and photographer's mount, 1916
NPG x127508
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 3 June 1916
NPG x30783
by Unknown photographer
vintage print, 1919
NPG x30415
by Claude Harris, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1919
NPG x160498
by Foulsham & Banfield
postcard print
NPG x13390
Gaby Deslys as The Charm of Paris in 'New Aladdin'
by Cecil Beaton
pen and ink and wash with glitter, circa 1930
NPG D3613
Gaby Deslys in 'The New Aladdin'
by Alexander Bassano
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 24 October 1906
NPG x137352
by Alexander Bassano
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 19 December 1906
NPG x137356
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James Gardiner
27 March 2018, 10:48
She was NOT married to Harry Pilcer. ( listed as 'husband')