Antique Image of the Day: Minnie Palmer as Tina in My Sweetheart at the Strand Theatre, 1883

Theatrical Photograph of Minnie Palmer, 1883
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This photograph from 1883 shows actress Minnie Palmer as the character of Tina in the play “My Sweetheart: which was performed at the Strand Theatre in London.

As photography was relatively new at the time, most actors and actresses had studio photographs taken for the sake of publicity.  They would pose either in everyday dress or theatrical costume, for “cartes de visite,” and later “cabinet cards” which would be traded amongst fashionable people, not only raising awareness of whatever show they were in, but also helping to establish their celebrity.   

This photo is part of the celebrated collection of antique photography amassed by Guy Little who donated this exceptional lot to the V&A.