These two slides originated from different manufacturers, though judging from the text and handwriting were used in the same venue. The first slide below was manufactured by Novelty Slides, Inc., while the second one comes from Universal Film Manufacturing. Both companies were located in New York City.
Generic message slide, D.W. Griffith, Novelty Slides Inc., Inc (c. 1912-15?) |
While neither slide includes any text identifying the individuals depicted in their respective portraits, the male figure is obviously a young D.W. Griffith.
I have located the original Griffith portrait in Richard Schickel's biography D.W. Griffith: An American Life, in which he dates the image to circa 1908, stating "This is one of a group of formal portraits for with the actor-playwright sat around the time he was making his first reluctant forays into filmmaking."
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D.W. Griffith portrait (c. 1908) |
The slide featuring the female portrait presents a mystery (to me). It is likely that the woman is also a motion picture personality, but her face is not immediately recognizable (again, to me).
It may also be possible that the red dice floating around her portrait have significance, such as a reference to a particular role, or that score of the dice toss (10-5) may mean something.
Generic message slide, unidentified woman, Universal Film Mfg. Co. (circa ?) |
What do you think?
Any clues?
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