Portrait of Comic Opera Actress Annie Pixley By Elmer Chickering, Boston, Massachusetts

Lovely and enticing image of actress Annie Pixley (born Annie Shea) shot from the back and in profile. She is wearing a flower patterned light dress and a much befeathered hat. Pixley (1858-1893) was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved with her family to San Francisco when her father died. She and her siblings were child actors and she went on to become popular in comic roles and in comic opera. Her health and nerves deteriorated after the death of her son by husband Robert Fulford, once an associate of Mark Twain. She died in London on November 9, 1893. 

The portrait was taken while the actress was in her prime and is backmarked with decorations in copper "Elmer Chickering, 21 West St. Boston, Mass. The negative of this Photograph is preserved for future orders, and can be reduced for the smallest locket or enlarged up to life size, and finished in Crayon, Ink or Water Color." 

Cabinet Card measures 6 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches, rounded corners not clipped, gilt lettering beneath image. Some tanning and spotting, light edge wear with a little bumping of corners, chip in surface of card in upper right back corner.