Original photograph of Alla Nazimova, circa 1936

N.p. N.p., Circa 1936. Vintage portrait photograph of Russian actress and lesbian socialite Alla Nazimova, likely shot to publicize the 1935 Broadway revival of Henrik Ibsen's 1881 play "Ghosts."

Nazimova became a contract player with Metro Pictures in 1917, and quickly became a top-grossing star for the studio, often cast in tragedies such as "Revelation" (1918) and "The Red Lantern" (1919). The actress also began to produce her own films during the 1920s, including Charles Bryant's experimental adaptation of "Salome" (1923), which was a box office failure at the time (and indeed, nearly ended Nazimova's career in film) but has since been rightfully renowned as one of the first art films to be made in the US. The actress retired from film in the 1930s but enjoyed an active career on Broadway until her death in 1945.

Nazimova's notoriety as an actress was matched by her notoriety as a lesbian. The actress is now considered to be an early LGBTQ icon, and is credited with coining the phrase "sewing circle" as code to refer to lesbian and bisexual actresses within Hollywood.

8 x 10 inches. Very Good plus, with light toning and a light diagonal crease to the right edge.

[Book #148199]