Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-12-12

8 Pictures of Popular People. ana
some OnriOus Facts About the
sale of Them. k Mft
\ From the New Y ork MALL
Let us step into shop Tor the sale OF
photographs in this city, and learn by
+ what means the pictures of prominent
people are taken, how they sell, etc.
There is great demand for picture OF
II. Stewart, the merchant prince,
but not picture of him can be had
none are in the market, and never have
been. Mr.. Stewart declines to have his
face photographed, mounted on card
and sold to the public. Rumor says that
John Bright once sent him a polite re-
quest for his photograph, but he de-
clinedg There Is no merchant in the
United States whose picture would sell
so we'll. People have an intense desire
to see him. Why Mr.. Stewart declines
to be popularized is not known, but he
probably does so for purposes OF self
protection, that he may be able to go to
Saratoga and about the country without
being annoyed by people who seek em-
ployment or ask for money.
Mr.. Stewart is not alone in this pecu-
liarity. His great rival, H. B. Clahin,
is in demand, but no picture of him can
be had. After much urging, Gurney was
allowed to take life-size portrait Of
him. which was added to the gallery OF
famous New York merchants and bank
ers. Some small copies of this picture
were taken and offered TO the public.
\ AS soon as Mr.. Claim heard of the fact
he made representations to Mr.. Gurney
which caused that artist to withdraw
them. SO there are none of this famous
merchant to be had. The same facts
are true of Jay Cooke, the well known
banker. A few of his pictures came be-
fore the public, much inthe same way
as Mr.. ClaAin's, and he at once stopped
the sale of them.
RI For long time it was impossible to
get a single picture of Mrs. Harriet
Beecher Stowe. She always insisted
unon being taken on the same card
with her brother, Henry Ward Beecher.
MANY people wanted Mrs. Stowe by her
self. After working for months, and by
the use of little strategy, a prominent
dealer in New York succeeded in getting
her picture. He offered certain editor
Eve dollars if he would induce Mrs.
a Stowe to sit for her picture, which she
. finally did. The portrait thus procured
Was o very good one. Mrs. Stowe looks
more and more like her famous brother
as she grows older. The publication OF
her True Story of Lord Byron damaged
her popularity immensely, and there was
a great falling off in the demand for her
nietures, which has never fully recov-
cred. Her picture sells very well now.
1t is not difienlt to get pictures OF all
uromineut actors and singers These
are public characters, and the more they
are advertised the better. There is a
constant deuand for the pictures OF ac..
tors and singers who have a national
reputation, such as Booth, 10 jefferson,
Seebach. Ristori, Psrepa- Rosa, Nilsson,
etc. The sale of the pictures Of actors
always increase while they are playing
and then drops OF. The call for pictures
of local actors stops as soon as tney
leave the stage. mi.
Among actors, the sale Of Edwin
Booths pictures takes the lead. More
are sold of him than of all the other
actors in the United States. he is
particular favorite with the ladies. His
face is perfectly pure in its expression,
without the least trace OF sensuaity'
and is also highly intelligent. II has
pensive. half sad expression, which be-
witches the ladies, none Of whom object
TO having his picture in their album.
Among women Mrs Seott-Siddons
has the same expression Of face, which
is fascinating for all pufe-minded men
and they purchase largely oi her plc-
.tnre. Photographers say no woman
ever appeared on the American stage
Who made picture Of snch absolute
perlaetion. Very few people ever care
for Re picture Of Mrs. Scott Sidsons
husband and the only way she could
Aoat bis face into the market was by
haying Il mt on the same card with her
self. 1t is curious isoi, 100, that there