Sepia Saturday this week has a number of possible prompts, one of which is Jean Harlow. I have no cards of any film stars but a rather scruffy card showing Clara Butt (1872-1936) and her family came my way recently. While Clara may not have been a blond bombshell, she was certainly a celebrity in her day, with a formidable personality and voice. And, indeed, physique because she was 6ft 2 inches tall. She was an extremely popular concert singer and was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her work during the First World War.
She married Kennerly Rumford, a baritone, and they had the three children shown with them on this card. Very sadly the elder son, Roy, died of meningitis in 1923 and the younger, Victor, later committed suicide on his farm in Southern Rhodesia in 1934. Joy, according to an Australian newspaper of the time, grew to be "one of the tallest girls in society", apparently taking after her mother. With both parents singers, you'd think she would sing too, but I can find no evidence of it.
The card is postmarked 1908 in Jersey and addressed to Mr A Rive also in Jersey, in St Helier in fact. Brooklyn Place no longer exists, the whole of Ann Street looks as though it has been rebuilt. The interesting thing though, is that Clara Butt's father came from Jersey and I can't help but wonder if there is a connection.
I don't know why but I'm surprised to be able to recognise Clara's name. I certainly haven't heard her voice on old recordings. Does anyone know whether there has been anything on TV about her? The only connection I can think off would be if someone sang her songs or impersonated her on Palace of Varieties.
ReplyDeleteJust love when some personal history can be matched up to a photo and postcard, a piece of someones history now restored for others to enjoy, read, see and learn about!
ReplyDeleteSo, she didn't change her name and her husband is not mentioned by name on the postcard. I find that very amusing. It's unusual, even though it would be typical if the man was the famous one.
ReplyDeleteIt was new to me Sheila but interesting. Sorry I haven't been on here lately but it has been quite intense with the school work. Hope all is well with you and yours.
ReplyDeleteOdie
I've never been to Jersey, I must definitely visit it sometime!
ReplyDeleteShe does seem formidable with hand on hip, dwarfing her husband in size and presence. Interesting that she retained her name as well. I like her! I will have to go learn more ....
ReplyDeleteVery intersting! I love the tinted colors and the story ... thanks for sharing this with us. Thanks too, for your visit.
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
I did know of Clara, but not that she sadly lost two children.How sad. Lovely picture.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely family group photo. I didn't know of Clara so found this interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis was my first hearing about Clara Butt; she surely was a formidable presence and not one to be easily pushed aside....could not resist that!
ReplyDeleteHow intriguing - being originally from what used to be known as Southern Rhodesia myself, I tried to find out more about the suicide of her son, but apart from a couple of brief newspaper articles, was unsuccessful. It's a nice example of an early non-scenic, coloured postcard - thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting lady and quite the life she led...thanks for sharing her story with us!
ReplyDeletemy jaw dropped when i read that a female child of 1872 grew up to be a 6ft2 woman. uncommon, i think, in those days. nowadays, kids are tall even before they reach 18... i'm not short but when i have to look up at a kid, it annoys me. i now know the feeling when i was looking down at my mom when we argued... she wasn't mad because i was right, but i think rather because i had the physical advantage over her, lending me a natural authority of sort...
ReplyDelete:D~
HUGZ
That was really tall for that time, and it still is tall for a woman.
ReplyDeleteAlso being originally from Zimbabwe, and having in my possession a fine photograph (possibly taken by my grandmother) of Victor Kennerley Rumford with a dead leopard he had shot in the farming district of Inyazura, I've tried to find more info about his suicide but have failed. He shot himself on a kopje behind the homestead on Quagga Kloof Farm, Inyazura. The farm belonged to Mr G Timms and his family.
ReplyDeleteI have information relating to victors death and want to make contact with the last anonymouse person who has the photo of him. please contact me at, mp.carr1@virginmedia.com tel 01977557046
ReplyDeletemany thanks martin
I don't hold out a huge amount of hope, but you never know he or she may happen by again.
Deletewhen I commented on this week's stamp theme, 'Clara Butt and family'came up as 'you may also like', well I had missed this originally. Last year I came across a PC of her husband and read about them while 'looking him up'. This is a lovely family picture.
ReplyDeleteHere's the link to my post
http://lisasoldstuff.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/mr-kennerley-rumford.html