Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-08-20
Photographs of Mrs. Cleveland.

PHOTOGRAPHS VI MIS-. GlCt0lduus
Tie President on Thursday last, after
several weeks of uncertainty, granted
to Washington photographer, the
sole right to sell the pictures of Mrs.
Cleveland, for which she recently gave
sittings. For a long time the question
has been under debate whether the privi-
lege heretofore given to the Seneca Falls
photographer should continue in force.
The question has been at length settled.
and upon one local artist has been confer
red the honor of Photographer Extraord1
nary to the beautiful young mistress of
the White House. 1t is we'll that the
President has decided in this manner, as
the photographs taken of Mrs. Cleveland
previous to her marriage are very imma-
ture, and fail to do justice to the subject.
To the Presidents bride has been uni
versally accorded the palm of beauty. yet
her greatest charm lies in her expression,
which. ever changing as she converses,
renders it difficult to transmit by the
camera a proper conception of her as she
appears in reality. In the present instance
the artist has happily caught certain
arch upward glance, which is one of her
greatest charms. The head is slightly
thrown back, and though thoughtfully
earnest look is in the eyes, the face is full
of life and intelligence. 1t is fairly spark
ling in its beauty. The hair is worn high
on the head in full soft loops, which seem
to meet and minge with the navy 'sbang"
slightly parted over the left temple and
waving back. The contour of the head
is seen to best advantage. and has not
been disguised by flower or ornament of
any sort. The photographs are taken in a
dozen different poses and are of varying
sizes. from cabinet to the largest d.
mansions used.
The most artistic picture, and the one
from which stranger could gain the best
conception Of Mrs. Cleveland, represents
her in dress of soft white material, made
high in the throat, the sleeves finished
with fall Of lace. From the left shoulder,
crossing the bosom and fastening in a cas-
cade of lace at the right side, is full
diaphanous fold of silk illusion, covered
with small circles of seed pearls, from the
centre of each circle depending tiny
pearl pendant The effect OF this trim
ming is similar to that of the silken scarf
ornamented with jewels, and worn by
royal5g on state occasions. About the
: collar Of the dress is a fold of this illusion,
fastened In trcat with hearts-ease pin,
with diam "a ,sop- IN the centre.
IT, ssssssss.ssssa seeiyed by
Cleveland frog aaas 0E her sss..oo22l
s4iends on her birthday.
Another picture is taken in an odd-look-
ing house dress Of white yachting flannel
This is fastened in the back, with high
standing collar and yoke of black velvet.
The yoke is made with deep point in the
middle. extending to the waist line, like
the fashion in vogue some ten or fifteen
years ago. The bodice, instead of being
gathered to the sides of this yoke, is laid
on inside plaits, turning toward the front.
In the collar band is fastened the pin of
Etruscan gold given by the Postmaster
General and Mrs. Villas as wedding
present.
The only full -length picture shows Mrs.
Cleveland in an evening costume, with
court train OF rich black silk, over which
is draped deep front of ietted net, with
sleeves Of the same. The bodice is of
black silk, cut V-shaped back and front.
Over the shoulders, and meeting in front
in light folds, is the beaded net, finished
at the edge with a fall of jet pendants.
About the throat is a band of black velvet
holding a diamond star, which is a por-
tion of the corsage spray given at her mar
riage with the President by the Secretary
of the Navy and Mrs. Whitney.
By order of the President no photo
graphs of Mrs. Cleveland in her wedding
dress will be placed on sale. Only very
few of these have been struck off, and
were for private distribution among the
Cabinet families and few intimate
friends Washington Letter.