Close-up of beautiful actress Fannie Davenport, c 1885 Newsboy cabinet card

Description

Fannie Davenport (1850-1898) was a stage actress born in London, who moved to the US at the age of 4. She made her stage debut at the age of 6. Her 42 year career lasted from 1856-1898. She made friends of the crew and stagehands and left money for them after her performances. 1874: In The School for Scandal she was “a vision of loveliness…never have we seen a more perfect performance.” 1877: She formed her own production company. 1881, Sacramento: “Fannie Davenport is one of the handsomest and splendidest formed women on the American stage, and a perfect lady.” 1889, San Jose, CA Tosca: “The large and appreciative audience were not to be deterred from seeing so great an actress in so great a play by even a heavy rain.” 1891, San Jose, CA: “Fannie Davenport received a most enthusiastic reception when, as Cleopatra, she descended from her barge. She was called before the curtain five times and [received] numerous floral pieces.” Her production of Cleopatra was staged from 1890 to 1893, when she was in her early 40s. She was nearly 6” tall. Her final role was Joan of Arc a few months before her death of an enlarged heart at the age of 48.
Newsboy, New York cabinet card #2.
A beautiful profile close-up of this lovely and talented actress.
Condition: Good with crease in upper left corner and some stains. Writing in pencil on reverse, but not related to the actress or photo.