The glorious Anna Held...with so many photos after the jump.
Encyclopedia of the Exquisite’s entry on Milk Baths introduces the Ziegfeld sensation Anna Held, who was famously sued by a milk farmer for the amount she owed for keeping her bath tub filled with milk. She’s one of my favorite characters in the book. So today, because I missed her a bit, I decided to post a slew of Anna photos. Like the Countess de Castiglione, another Encyclopedia player, Held certainly loved a camera.
Though these images are hyper-posed I feel like shey go deeper than today’s standard red carpet image. Maybe because she’s isolated in a pristine studio, like a specimen to be examined? For whatever reason, somehow these photos seem say so much about Held and her mysterious allure… All from the NYPL.
Held looking imperious, but somehow fragile.
Held, the girl nextdoor...
Held, be-wigged and aloof...
Held's come-hither...
Held, forced jollity...
The all-natural beauty...
As a campy page boy...
Incredible. Is this a snapshot? And what a locket!
Jonathan
/ February 18, 2011Jessica … I love the whole idea of your book. That rich sense of exquisite, delicious, stylish abandonment. Hmmmm, I’ll bet you LOVE Coco Chanel’s apartment.
http://bit.ly/-Exquisite-Coco-Chanel
Jonathan Gunson
jessica
/ February 18, 2011Dear Jonathan, You are so right! When I lived in Paris I was a bit obsessed by all things Coco, including the apartment, to be sure, but also the mirrored staircase in the atelier. So glad that you like the book–and that took a moment to write.
All best,
Jessica
Brian
/ February 18, 2011She’s beautiful but it hurts just to look at her waist, ouch! I wish there was a picture of her without the corset – that would be much more appealing.
jessica
/ February 18, 2011Dear Brian,
So true! Anna Held was a hold-out for the corset. At the end of her career a sporty new look became fashionable, as her common-law husband Ziegfeld moved on to promote the vivacious young showgirls who would become known as Ziegfeld girls. Still, she wouldn’t give up the corset. It’s been argued that wearing them may have contributed to her early death. Poor Anna Held!
Thanks for writing,
Jessica