America's Oldest · Founded 1808

Historic Photo Gallery: 1850 to 1899

1887

Lillie Langtry was known not only for her stage career, but for her legendary beauty, social status and many notable lovers, including the Prince of Wales. She is noted as an early example of celebrity endorsement, as she used her high public profile to sponsor commercial products such as cosmetics and soap. Langtry made her Walnut debut in January 1887 in A Wife's Peril and performed a second week in The Lady of Lyons. She appeared the following year in As in a Looking Glass, playing opposite Maurice Barrymore. (Photograph courtesy of the Theatre Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia.)

« back next »


In This Chapter

« previous chapter: Beginnings to 1849   next chapter: 1900 to 1920 »