Willie Manders in drag and in men's attire. Photographic postcard, 1914.

"The Hassans" in character, performing on stage. Photograph, 192-.

An itinerant medicine vendor performing on stage with several assistants, selling their wares to a small audience in Rome. Etching by W. Unger after D. Helmbreker.

"Derkas ?", dressed in drag, on stage. Photographic postcard, 1928.

Snake charmer with wife holding the snake. Gouache drawing.

Hans Buling, an itinerant medicine vendor, dressed in theatrical costume while selling his wares, assisted by another costumed person and a monkey. Engraving by I.R. Cruikshank after a Delft plate by B.S., 1750.

Billie Manders and members of the Quaintesques. Photographic postcard, 192-.

Billie Manders in character. Photographic postcard, 192-.

An itinerant medicine vendor, draped with live snakes, sells his wares from a stage to an enthusiastic audience. Line engraving by D. Ghisi after G. Romano.

"The Gay Sparks" in conversation. Photographic postcard, 1929.

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"Derkas?" wears the towering feathered showgirl headdress pioneered by Gaby Deslys in the 1910s, and developed by Mistinguett in the Folies Bergères shows of the 1920s. Long afterwards It remained an integral part of costuming in spectacular revues, particularly in Paris and Las Vegas. The question mark following Derkas printed on the postcard suggests they perform with an androgynous gender expression. As this card is autographed and inscribed London 1928, it shows that there was sufficient interest in this form of entertainment in the 1920s for successful drag acts to be imported.

The James Gardiner Collection. Photographs.

James Gardiner Collection: photograph album labelled Drag. 

James Gardiner Collection: photograph album labelled ‘Drag’.

Manders is shown seated holding a large feathery fan; and also standing, leaning on the bench gazing down at himself in drag. A clever photo-montage published as publicity for Willie Manders's concert appearances in Scarborough. Manders was a popular Rhyl-based female impersonator: he and his troupe 'The Quaintesques' were concert party entertainers from the early 1920's right up to World War II. Billie was a performer from a very early age and a a pioneer of 'glamour drag', presenting a less exaggerated female appearance.

Billie Manders, out of drag, circa 1918-1920.; in profile. Manders was a popular Rhyl-based female impersonator: he and his troupe 'The Quaintesques' were concert party entertainers from the early 1920's right up to World War II. Billie was a performer from a very early age and a a pioneer of 'glamour drag', presenting a less exaggerated female appearance.

Billie Manders. Photographic postcard, ca. 1918-1920.

1 drawing : pen and ink wash ; image 11.5 x 7.8 cm

A man with a wooden leg sings while he is accompanied by a blind man playing the flute and a dog performing on its hind legs. Pen and ink drawing.

2 unnumbered pages, 7 pages, 1 unnumbered bl. leaves ; (8vo)

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Entertainers

Images

Works

"Derkas ?", dressed in drag, on stage. Photographic postcard, 1928.

Willie Manders in drag and in men's attire. Photographic postcard, 1914.

Billie Manders. Photographic postcard, ca. 1918-1920.

A man with a wooden leg sings while he is accompanied by a blind man playing the flute and a dog performing on its hind legs. Pen and ink drawing.

Notice sur Jacques de Falaise, ses habitudes, sa nourriture, et les moyens qu'il emploie pour conserver sa santé / [Anon].

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Wellcome uses cookies.

Entertainers

Images

Works

"Derkas ?", dressed in drag, on stage. Photographic postcard, 1928.

Willie Manders in drag and in men's attire. Photographic postcard, 1914.

Billie Manders. Photographic postcard, ca. 1918-1920.

A man with a wooden leg sings while he is accompanied by a blind man playing the flute and a dog performing on its hind legs. Pen and ink drawing.

Notice sur Jacques de Falaise, ses habitudes, sa nourriture, et les moyens qu'il emploie pour conserver sa santé / [Anon].

Wellcome Collection

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