Bessie Collection

Elizabeth Bessie Coleman (1892-1926)
Elizabeth Bessie Coleman, 1892-1926, the first female pilot of African American descent and the first person of African American descent to hold an international pilot license. Date: 1926

Bessie Bonehill music hall male impersonator 1855-1902
Bessie Bonehill started on the halls as a clog dancer as part of the Sisters Bonehill act and became a male impersonator. Jaunty pose with hands in pockets

Wallis Simpson
A glamorous studio portrait of Bessie Wallis Warfield Simpson, later Duchess of Windsor (1896-1986), American socialite. Born in Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, she divorced her second husband

Mr. and Mrs. George Lansbury in 1910. George Lansbury, 1859 - 1940. British politician, socialist
2638480 Mr. and Mrs. George Lansbury in 1910. George Lansbury, 1859 - 1940. British politician, socialist, Christian pacifist and newspaper editor. Elisabeth (Bessie) Jane Lansbury, nee Brine

Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, from 'These Tremendous Years', publ. 1938 (b/w photo)
5323169 Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, from 'These Tremendous Years', publ. 1938 (b/w photo) by English School, (20th century); (add.info.: Edward VIII)

Marion Bessie Terry, from The Strand Magazine, Vol I January to June, 1891 (engraving)
3432555 Marion Bessie Terry, from The Strand Magazine, Vol I January to June, 1891 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Marion Bessie Terry, 1853-1930)

Bessie Bellwood music hall singer 1856-1896
Bessie Bellwood (Catherine Mahoney) music hall singer who engaged with her audience and had a reputation for putting down the toughest of hecklers. Carte de visite advertising Taunus table water

Bessie Love and Anita Page dancing in MGMs Broadway Melody, 1929 Date: 1929

A portrait of the Hollywood actress Bessie Love, 1930 Date: 1930

Bessie Wentworth music hall male impersonator 1873-1901
Bessie Wentworth (Elizabeth Mary Andrews) male impersonator and ?coon singer? of plantation songs - a genre which would be unacceptable today. Here wearing a naval uniform and holding a cigarette

Bessie Love, American-British film actress Date: 1931

Robert Houdin, Advertisements (litho)
5236383 Robert Houdin, Advertisements (litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Robert Houdin, Advertisements)

Wrecks on the Cornish Coast, the Steamers "Cintra, "Bessie, "and "Vulture"Ashore in St Ives
1063214 Wrecks on the Cornish Coast, the Steamers " Cintra, " " Bessie, " and " Vulture" Ashore in St Ives Bay (engraving) by Nash

A Poor Beggars Daughter, song illustration from Pan-Pipes
DGC452015 A Poor Beggars Daughter, song illustration from Pan-Pipes, A Book of Old Songs, Newly Arranged and with Accompaniments by Theo

Ethel Sidney as Bessie Brent in The Shop Girl Date: 1890s

A portrait of Bessie Love at MGM, 1930 - who appeared in Broadway Melody and will be in Good News Date: 1930

Pretty Bessie receiving her fathers blessing when going to seek her own livelihood
489677 Pretty Bessie receiving her fathers blessing when going to seek her own livelihood, illustration from Chap-books of the Eighteenth Century by John Ashton, pub

The Beggar Trav lling with his Dog, Brings home good store of Wealth to prog
489676 The Beggar Trav lling with his Dog, Brings home good store of Wealth to prog, With which he does outvie the Knight, And weds his Child to her delight

The Young knight that Married pretty Betty, illustration from
489674 The Young knight that Married pretty Betty, illustration from Chap-books of the Eighteenth Century by John Ashton, pub

Sir Simon de Montfort, song illustration from Pan-Pipes
DGC452031 Sir Simon de Montfort, song illustration from Pan-Pipes, A Book of Old Songs, Newly Arranged and with Accompaniments by Theo

Royal Thames Yacht Club (engraving)
1588410 Royal Thames Yacht Club (engraving) by Weedon, Edwin (1819-79); Private Collection; (add.info.: Royal Thames Yacht Club. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 20 June 1863)

Trotting in America, Mr Bonners Breeding and Training Establishment (engraving)
1616544 Trotting in America, Mr Bonners Breeding and Training Establishment (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Trotting in America)

The Recent Gales, Wrecks on the Cornish and Kentish Coasts (b / w photo)
1627603 The Recent Gales, Wrecks on the Cornish and Kentish Coasts (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Recent Gales)

William Gray Hassler in straw hat and overalls, carrying fishing pole and basket
1078774 William Gray Hassler in straw hat and overalls, carrying fishing pole and basket, walking down a path in the woods with a small dog (Bessie), August 20, 1911 (b/w photo) by Hassler

Regency Children
Bessies Bun. Symmetrical group of young boys in their Regency costumes keep their eyes on Bessie and her Bun. Artist: Hilda Dix Sandford. Date: circa 1908

Name Postcard - Bessie. Date: circa 1907

John Scott, Earl of Eldon, c1810, (c1884). Creator: Unknown
John Scott, Earl of Eldon, c1884. John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon (1751-1838) British barrister and politician, educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne and University College, Oxford

Mr. and Mrs. George Lansbury in 1910, (1935). Creator: Unknown
Mr. and Mrs. George Lansbury in 1910, (1935). Portrait of British politician George Lansbury (1859-1940) and his wife Elizabeth (1861-1933)

Grave of Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, near Perth, 1840. Artist: C J Smith
Grave of Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, near Perth, 1840. According to a ballad, in 1666 Betsy and Mary built themselves a bower to avoid catching the plague

Wallis Simpson, later the Duchess of Windsor, born Bessie Wallis Warfield, 1896 - 1986. American socialite for whom King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936. From The Weekly Illustrated, published 1936

Wallis Simpson, later the Duchess of Windsor, born Bessie Wallis Warfield, 1896 - 1986. American socialite for whom King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936. From The Weekly Illustrated, published 1936

George Lansbury, 1859

Five police officers outside Peel House, London
A group of five police officers (four women and one man) outside Peel House, a Met Police training centre in London, with a police public call box immediately behind them

Marion Terry - English actress
Marion " Bessie" Terry (1853-1930), English actress, played roles in the plays of W. S. Gilbert, Oscar Wilde, Henry James and others. Date: 1890

Women WW1 W. A. A. C
Front cover of A Transport Girl in France. A Story of the Adventures of a W.A.A.C by Bessie Marchant. Date: circa 1920

Bessie Bellwood
The late Bessie Bellwood in some of her characters. Bessie Bellwood (1856 - 1896) was a popular music hall performer. Date: C.1886

Illustration, Tommy Snooks and Bessie Brooks
Illustration, As Tommy Snooks and Bessie Brooks were walking out one Sunday, says Tommy Snooks to Bessie Brooks, Tomorrow will be Monday. Date: 1895

Woman police officer near Pall Mall, London
Woman police officer (Bessie) posing for her photo in front of an a (Automobile Association) building near Pall Mall, Central London. Date: circa 1950s

Bessie Featherstone, actress, with a flower between her teeth Date: early 20th century

Bessie Benson photographed in front of her Bathing Machine
A jolly Bessie Benson photographed in front of her Bathing Machine at a south coast resort. Date: circa 1920s

Suffragette Women Writers Suffrage League. The W.W.S.L was founded in 1908 by Cicely Hamilton and Bessie Hatton. This shows a banner designed for the league in 1909 by William Henry Margetson

HOLLYWOOD TEN, 1950. Members of the Hollywood Ten on their way to trial on charges of contempt of Congress, for refusing to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee investigation

TENNESSEE: FLOOD, 1937. Farmland submerged by the flood at Bessie Levee near Tiptonville, Tennessee. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

TENNESSEE: LEVEE, 1937. The Bessie Levee lined with sandbags along a subsidiary of the Mississippi River, near Tiptonville, Tennessee. Photograph by Walker Evans, February 1937

DUCHESS OF WINDSOR (1896-1986). Nee Bessie Wallis Warfield. Wedding portrait with her second husband, Ernest Simpson. Photograph, 1928

THE BROADWAY MELODY, 1929. Still from the film The Broadway Melody, directed by Harry Beaumont. Photograph, 1929

EDWARD ROBBINS WHARTON (1850-1928). Edward Robbins Wharton (left) with George Cabot Bay Lodge
EDWARD ROBBINS WHARTON (1850-1928). Edward Robbins Wharton (left) with George Cabot " Bay" Lodge and Bessy Lodge. Photograph, 1905

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"Bessie: A Trailblazing Legacy of Courage, Talent, and Resilience" In the early 20th century, Elizabeth Bessie Coleman defied all odds as the first African American woman to become a licensed pilot. Her determination soared higher than the clouds, inspiring generations to come. Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega 5b Old Bessie became an emblem of adventure and freedom in aviation history. With her trusty plane by her side, Earhart fearlessly explored uncharted territories, leaving an indelible mark on the world. Bessie Bonehill challenged societal norms with her captivating performances as a male impersonator in music halls during the late 19th century. Through her artistry and audacity, she shattered gender stereotypes and paved the way for future trailblazers. Wallis Simpson captivated hearts around the globe when she captured King Edward VIII's affection. Their love story shook British society to its core and forever changed royal history. Crufts 2018 showcased remarkable canines named Bessie who stole hearts with their intelligence, agility, and unwavering loyalty. These four-legged companions reminded us of our deep bond with animals. Bessie Love enchanted audiences on both sides of the Atlantic as an American-British film actress during Hollywood's golden era. Her talent illuminated screens worldwide while breaking barriers for women in entertainment. Bessie Bellwood charmed Victorian audiences with her powerful voice as a music hall singer during the late 19th century. Her melodic tunes brought joy amidst challenging times while leaving an enduring legacy in musical history. The iconic duo Love and Anita Page danced their way into our hearts in MGMs Broadway Melody—a timeless masterpiece that celebrated friendship, dreams, and resilience against all odds. A stunning portrait immortalized Hollywood actress Bessie Love's beauty and grace in 1930—an image that continues to captivate and inspire artists to this day.