Annie Besant Signed Photograph 14 x 17 in. Sepia Tone Silver Gelatin Print
A large sepia tone silver gelatin print, 14 x 17 in., of Annie Besant (1847-1933), the famed theosophist, feminist, and political activist. Photographer unknown. The striking portrait was most likely taken in Adyar, during her tenure as the International President of the Theosophical Society, where she served from 1907 until her death in 1933. The wicker chair and her clothing are identical to the painted portrait of Besant that hangs today in the Theosophical Society’s international headquarters in India. Signed by Besant–«Annie Besant» on the lower left. The photograph was part of the collection of the Theosophical Society of St. Louis, which in 1882 was granted a charter by Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and William Olcott as the first lodge in the United States. At the same time, London was granted the first charter in Europe. The scarce signed photographs of Besant that periodically appear on the market are generally small cabinet cards. The large silver gelatin print is mounted on cardboard, with slight flaws in the upper right corner. A remarkable photograph of the remarkable woman who helped usher in the new freedoms of the 20th century. Shipped with frame, but without glass.
3 Photos / Man Of Indian Origin To Identify / Intense Gaze Circa 1900-1920
[VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHS – 20th century – INDIAN MAN – MYSTICAL SPIRITUALITY] Bearded man, quite young, very deep gaze, tunic open on the chest, -1 large portrait ancient, photo printed on thin paper, laminated on cardboard various frictions, slight scratches or scuffs on the photo -1 smaller photo, same portrait as above, but print seems more recent, Period montage, photo presented pasted on brown paper (crumples, folds), this background paper itself laminated onto light cardboard -1 Photo presented as a postcard (printed information on the back), of the same provenance and seeming to represent the same man This time, the man is bedridden in what appears to be a hospital room, A handwritten mention in pen, at the bottom left, quite illegible (bottom of the text partially cut), Good general.