1915]. · [New York
by [Guinan, "Texas"]
[New York, 1915].. Sepia photograph, 9 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches. Bottom right corner very lightly creased. Near fine. Texas Guinan (1884-1933) was famous first as a singer and vaudeville personality, and later as the hostess of a New York City nightclub, the 300 Club, during the prohibition era (the 300 Club was about a block down West 54th Street from the later Studio 54). There she was the toast of a similarly chic, elite, and spendthrift crowd. In 1917 she debuted as a silent film actress, appearing as the first cowgirl, a role she played in several films. The photograph shows Guinan facing left, with her head turned slightly to the right, eyes looking over her right shoulder. She has an engaging smile, with her mouth slightly open, which makes it appear that she is either about to laugh or in the midst of cracking wise. A contemporary manuscript note on the verso of the image reads: "Texas Guinan with 'The Whirl of the World' Musical Spectacle, Cort Theatre, February 15th 1915. No other record." A lovely image of this interesting woman.
(Inventory #: WRCAM45096)