Vesta Tilley
(1864-1952), Music hall entertainerVesta Tilley (Matilda Alice (née Powles), Lady de Frece)
Sitter in 59 portraits
As a child, Tilley toured the music halls in a solo singing and dancing act. Finding she expressed herself better as a boy, she adopted male attire and, with songs such as Burlington Bertie, became the most successful male impersonator in the business. During the war she gave performances to promote recruitment and raise funds for wounded soldiers. Her songs, including Jolly Good Luck To The Girl Who Loves A Soldier and The Army Of Today's All Right, encouraged so many men to enlist that she was called 'England's Greatest Recruiting Sergeant'.
by Draycott Galleries, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
matte bromide postcard print, circa 1905
NPG Ax160050
by Alfred Ellis & Walery, published by J. Beagles & Co
bromide postcard print, 1905
NPG Ax160257
by Richard Williams Thomas
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 30 August 1905
NPG x137494
by Unknown photographer
bromide postcard print, circa 1906
NPG Ax160037
published by The Philco Publishing Co
bromide postcard print, circa 1906
NPG Ax160261
published by The Philco Publishing Co
bromide postcard print, circa 1906
NPG x197851
published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, late 1900s
NPG x26907
by James Bacon, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, late 1900s
NPG Ax160259
published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, late 1900s
NPG Ax160262
published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1907
NPG x160605
published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, late 1900s
NPG x160604
published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, late 1900s
NPG x126416
published by E. Hulton & Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 5 October 1915
NPG Ax160047
by Unknown photographer
bromide postcard print, circa 1920
NPG Ax160048
by Unknown photographer
bromide postcard print, August 1920
NPG x197676
Sir Walter de Frece; Mary, Lady Hall Caine; Vesta Tilley; Gordon Ralph Hall Caine
copy by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate film copy negative, 1931 (17 July 1935)
NPG x44221
by Georg Meisenbach & Co, published by Francis, Day & Hunter
halftone reproduction, 1890s
NPG D42838
by Harry Générés Banks, published by Bertram Feldman, and published by Joseph W. Stern & Co
chromolithograph, late 1890s
NPG D42837
after Howard van Dusen, and after John Hassall
lithograph, circa 1914-1925
NPG D39619
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