One example: the Ronald Cecil Concert Party postcard Frederick Christian Palmer

ronald cecil concert party postcard, ca.1913

the ronald cecil concert party postcard shows crowd on herne bay seafront around 1913, including rehearsed , choreographed tableaux vivants actors. apparently produced in response contemporary eagerness of aficionados collect , examine (with hand lens) detailed prints made large glass negatives. signature of such postcard inclusion of tableaux signifying fleeting moment, , in example running boy go out of frame on left, , policeman checking watch in foreground. positions of actors held still camera @ prearranged moment, may have been announced chiming of clock tower out of frame right, or call man on right of stage. of tableaux follows:

(1) suffragette mounting bicycle , incidentally showing little more ankle such young woman might intend @ time, in right foreground. wearing black stockings, in 1913 signify servant or actress. (2) young man acting hot under collar, apparently being berated woman, , exchanging glance well-dressed , confident young dandy in sports jacket , white shoes, 1 hand in pocket , other possibly holding cigarette. (3) ronald cecil himself apparently falling backwards in crowd, although nobody around him turns look. @ centre-back of crowd. viewer s attention drawn cecil s fall insouciant young man standing below lamppost in cap , three-piece tweed suit , arms akimbo, looking directly @ cecil falling. (4) 2 housemaids – g.m. warner, known little warner, , fellow servant, both employed age 12 boys school @ st george s terrace – walking in aisle between concert party audience , fence. carrying posters or leaflets concert party, , supposed former, prevented presence of children.

the regatta in background suggests saturday, , beams late afternoon sun passing through windows on both sides of grand pier pavilion suggest time of around 4.30pm. among public, private nurse in uniform can seen on right, , deckchair boys employed age 12 near left foreground in aisle between stage , fence.