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Lot # 82 - c 1920 Signed Photograph of Julian Eltinge Famous Female Impersonator in Early 1900s.  14" x 16" Framed (9x 7 photo).

Julian Eltinge (May 14, 1881 – March 7, 1941), born William Julian Dalton,  He began his career as a female impersonator at age 10, and his skills eventually made him a Vaudeville star. By 1906 his successful performances as 'Eltinge' in London culminated with a Command Performance before King Edward VII of England. In 1910 he starred in string of successful musical comedies on Broadway ('The Fascinating Widow', 'The Crinoline Girl', and 'Cousin Lucy') written to showcase his skills. In 1912 he was publicly feted in New York when The Eltinge Theater was dedicated in his honor on 42nd Street. At the time he was one of the highest paid actors in America. In 1914 he headed to Hollywood to star in silent film versions of his Broadway hits as well as 'The Isle of Love' with Rudolph Valentino. What distinguished Eltinge from his contemporaries was his refusal to be a caricature of women; instead he presented a seamless illusion of actually being a woman, and then at the conclusion of his performance would remove his wig to an amazed audience. 

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