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| Lytton Sothern as Cecil Leighton in "Crutch and Toothpick." April, 1879 The Victoria & Albert Museum |
This photograph from the Guy Little Theatrical Photography Collection shows actor Lytton Sothern as Cecil Leighton in “Crutch and Toothpick” at the Royalty Theatre.
The image is an excellent example of the rage for cartes de visite which arose around 1854. During this period, popular actors and actresses had studio photographs taken, either in everyday dress or theatrical costume, for cartes de visite (and later, cabinet cards) which were collected by the public to keep in albums. Other subjects included scenic views, tourist attractions and works of art, as well as portraits.
This carte de visite was produced by the London Stereoscopic Company and was one of thousands of such cards which were collected by Sir Guy Tristram Little. Sir Guy bequeathed this collection to the V&A in 1953.
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