Eltinge, Julian. (1881–1941). Signed Photograph in Drag.
Eltinge was probably the outstanding female impersonator of the early twentieth century and found early success performing as a female impersonator in vaudeville. As his star began to rise, he toured Europe and the United States, even giving a command performance before King Edward VII. Eltinge appeared in a series of musical comedies written specifically for his talents starting in 1910 with The Fascinating Widow, arguably his greatest success. Hollywood beckoned Eltinge. By the time he arrived there, he was considered one of the highest paid actors on the American stage. His films included 1918's The Isle of Love with Rudolph Valentino and Virginia Rappe. A common style of act at the time, Eltinge distinguished himself from his contemporaries by presenting a genuine imitation of women, rather than a caricature. "He made his career performing in drag and was known for a dedication to female impersonation so precise that most audiences never knew he was a man unless he removed his wig." There were often assumptions and whispers of homosexuality, though no record of any lover of any gender exists, and Eltinge "sought to differentiate himself by cultivating an especially 'butch' public image, because even a hint of homosexuality would have destroyed his career: He participated in staged boxing matches, lit cigars after performances, and was even said to have been stabbed by a marlin." For a period of time in the mid-to-late 1910s, Eltinge was one of the highest-paid stars in the world, yet he has been all but forgotten by popular memory. (Goodman, E. (2018, April 6). This Drag Queen Was Once the Highest Paid Actor in the World)
Signed full-length large-scale portrait of the American female impersonator wearing a dress. Inscribed, "To Mr. Arthur Eltinge / All good luck / Julian Eltinge." Blind stamp of "Stephen Studio" to lower right corner. 9.5 x 7 inches (24 x 17.8 cm). In very good condition.
Eltinge was probably the outstanding female impersonator of the early twentieth century and found early success performing as a female impersonator in vaudeville. As his star began to rise, he toured Europe and the United States, even giving a command performance before King Edward VII. Eltinge appeared in a series of musical comedies written specifically for his talents starting in 1910 with The Fascinating Widow, arguably his greatest success. Hollywood beckoned Eltinge. By the time he arrived there, he was considered one of the highest paid actors on the American stage. His films included 1918's The Isle of Love with Rudolph Valentino and Virginia Rappe. A common style of act at the time, Eltinge distinguished himself from his contemporaries by presenting a genuine imitation of women, rather than a caricature. "He made his career performing in drag and was known for a dedication to female impersonation so precise that most audiences never knew he was a man unless he removed his wig." There were often assumptions and whispers of homosexuality, though no record of any lover of any gender exists, and Eltinge "sought to differentiate himself by cultivating an especially 'butch' public image, because even a hint of homosexuality would have destroyed his career: He participated in staged boxing matches, lit cigars after performances, and was even said to have been stabbed by a marlin." For a period of time in the mid-to-late 1910s, Eltinge was one of the highest-paid stars in the world, yet he has been all but forgotten by popular memory. (Goodman, E. (2018, April 6). This Drag Queen Was Once the Highest Paid Actor in the World)
Eltinge, Julian. (1881–1941). Signed Photograph in Drag.
Eltinge was probably the outstanding female impersonator of the early twentieth century and found early success performing as a female impersonator in vaudeville. As his star began to rise, he toured Europe and the United States, even giving a command performance before King Edward VII. Eltinge appeared in a series of musical comedies written specifically for his talents starting in 1910 with The Fascinating Widow, arguably his greatest success. Hollywood beckoned Eltinge. By the time he arrived there, he was considered one of the highest paid actors on the American stage. His films included 1918's The Isle of Love with Rudolph Valentino and Virginia Rappe. A common style of act at the time, Eltinge distinguished himself from his contemporaries by presenting a genuine imitation of women, rather than a caricature. "He made his career performing in drag and was known for a dedication to female impersonation so precise that most audiences never knew he was a man unless he removed his wig." There were often assumptions and whispers of homosexuality, though no record of any lover of any gender exists, and Eltinge "sought to differentiate himself by cultivating an especially 'butch' public image, because even a hint of homosexuality would have destroyed his career: He participated in staged boxing matches, lit cigars after performances, and was even said to have been stabbed by a marlin." For a period of time in the mid-to-late 1910s, Eltinge was one of the highest-paid stars in the world, yet he has been all but forgotten by popular memory. (Goodman, E. (2018, April 6). This Drag Queen Was Once the Highest Paid Actor in the World)
Signed full-length large-scale portrait of the American female impersonator wearing a dress. Inscribed, "To Mr. Arthur Eltinge / All good luck / Julian Eltinge." Blind stamp of "Stephen Studio" to lower right corner. 9.5 x 7 inches (24 x 17.8 cm). In very good condition.
Eltinge was probably the outstanding female impersonator of the early twentieth century and found early success performing as a female impersonator in vaudeville. As his star began to rise, he toured Europe and the United States, even giving a command performance before King Edward VII. Eltinge appeared in a series of musical comedies written specifically for his talents starting in 1910 with The Fascinating Widow, arguably his greatest success. Hollywood beckoned Eltinge. By the time he arrived there, he was considered one of the highest paid actors on the American stage. His films included 1918's The Isle of Love with Rudolph Valentino and Virginia Rappe. A common style of act at the time, Eltinge distinguished himself from his contemporaries by presenting a genuine imitation of women, rather than a caricature. "He made his career performing in drag and was known for a dedication to female impersonation so precise that most audiences never knew he was a man unless he removed his wig." There were often assumptions and whispers of homosexuality, though no record of any lover of any gender exists, and Eltinge "sought to differentiate himself by cultivating an especially 'butch' public image, because even a hint of homosexuality would have destroyed his career: He participated in staged boxing matches, lit cigars after performances, and was even said to have been stabbed by a marlin." For a period of time in the mid-to-late 1910s, Eltinge was one of the highest-paid stars in the world, yet he has been all but forgotten by popular memory. (Goodman, E. (2018, April 6). This Drag Queen Was Once the Highest Paid Actor in the World)