An actor in drag poses on stage as "Sulmary". Process print, ca. 1910.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

Due to essential system maintenance, online requesting will be unavailable from 9pm until midnight on Tuesday 21 April. You can still search the catalogue as usual. We apologise for any inconvenience.

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Take part in research

<p>The actor is wearing a distinctive dress with circular-shaped coil and a feathered head garment. The postcard bears an autograph message from Sulmary Bessle dated 1921, but the photograph is considerably earlier, the dress of the tiered and 'hobble-skirted' style of circa 1910 made popular by the French designer Paul Poiret. The question marks before and after "Sulmary" printed on the postcard suggests they perform with an androgynous gender expression.</p>

An actor poses on stage as "Sulmary".

Licence and re-use