Deportment Collection

Madame Vacani
Madame Marguerite Vacani, dance and deportment teacher pictured in caricature as walking on air, and admired by a group of adoring debutantes

Girl / Posture
A little girl balances a book on her head to teach her good posture

Warning cyclists of the detriment to their deportment due to using the 'Penny Farthing' Bicycle
5615895 Warning cyclists of the detriment to their deportment due to using the 'Penny Farthing' Bicycle. 1889 (engraving); Universal History Archive/UIG.

100 Not Out, Out First Ball (engraving)
3621164 100 Not Out, Out First Ball (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: 100 Not Out, Out First Ball)

The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b / w photo)
6009886 The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Relaxation of the trunk sideways)

The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b / w photo)
6009881 The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The bridge or bend the crab)

The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b / w photo)
6009908 The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustration for The Body Beautiful)

The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b / w photo)
6009892 The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustration for The Body Beautiful)

The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b / w photo)
6009896 The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustration for The Body Beautiful)

"A Lesson in Deportment"(litho)
1037526 " A Lesson in Deportment" (litho) by Browne, Gordon Frederick (1858-1932) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: " A Lesson in Deportment")

Chelsea Follies at the Victoria Palace Theatre, 1930
Chelsea Follies at the Victoria Palace, 1930. Some of the Chelsea Follies, who are models of deportment. Sketch by H H Harris. Date: 1930

A Prince of the Old School, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1800 (hand-coloured etching)
NCO190100 A Prince of the Old School, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1800 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College

Womens exercise and deportment class (b / w photo)
6015497 Womens exercise and deportment class (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Womens exercise and deportment class)

Gustave Dores Don Quixote: "He began to walk about by the horse-trough with a graceful deportment"(engraving)
6008318 Gustave Dores Don Quixote: " He began to walk about by the horse-trough with a graceful deportment" (engraving) by Dore

There was an Old Person of Bude, whose deportment was vicious and crude (litho)
966314 There was an Old Person of Bude, whose deportment was vicious and crude (litho) by Lear, Edward (1812-88); Private Collection; (add.info.: There was an Old Person of Bude)

Illustration for Bleak House (engraving)
3099897 Illustration for Bleak House (engraving) by Bernard, Frederick L. (1846-1896); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustration for Bleak House)

The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b / w photo)
6009899 The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustration for The Body Beautiful)

The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b / w photo)
6009868 The Body Beautiful, Physical Culture for Women (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Flag on stallbars with assistance)

Just waiting for a break is 18-year- old singer Janice Peters who, although she has sung in concerts all over the country, has never auditioned for radio or TV

[Woman Opening Parasol], 1883-86, printed 1887. Creator: Eadweard J Muybridge
[Woman Opening Parasol], 1883-86, printed 1887

Max Rivers Studios of Stage Dancing advertisement
Advertisement for the Max Rivers Studios of Stage Dancing, the way to attain a lithe and graceful figure according to the copy. Date: 1928

Deportment Lesson
A proper young lady learns the art of deportment, walking with the obligatory book balanced on the head, shoulders back and head held up! Date: 1930s

Parental Deportment
A Model of Parental Deportment Prince Turveydrop and his fiancee Caddy Jellyby tell Mr. Turveydrop of their engagement accompanied by Ester Summerson

The Bear-Leaders, by R C Carton. First produced at the Comedy Theatre, London, February 1912. The children in bear costume reflect the idea, central to the play

Sketch cover - the making of a mannequin
Front cover of The Sketch magazine showing four living models and one inanimate one. It comments that, the inanimate mannequin, who acts as teacher, and heads the procession

Debutantes learning to curtsey, 1929
Debutantes of 1929 learning to curtsey under the guidance of Madame Vacani, in preparation for presentation at court. Date: 1929

Posture improvement
MODEL RELEASED. Posture improvement. 8-year-old girl balancing a book on her head to improve her posture

Debutante Learns Curtsey
Mrs Ruby Peeler instructs a debutante in the art of the curtsey. She balances a box on her head and practices the knee lock, which should prevent her overbalancing

Douglas Fairbanks & Mary Astor
Douglas Fairbanks, as Don Q, son of Zorro, practising Correct Deportment for Gentlemen with Mary Astor

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Deportment: The Art of Graceful Posture and Elegance" In the world of refinement and poise, Madame Vacani stands as an icon. Her name is synonymous with deportment, the art of carrying oneself with grace and elegance. As a young girl, she learned the importance of posture, understanding that it not only enhances physical appearance but also reflects one's inner confidence. Max Rivers Studios of Stage Dancing recognized this significance and advertised their expertise in perfecting deportment. Their advertisement promised to transform any aspiring dancer into a vision of beauty on stage, capturing attention with every movement. The engraving "100 Not Out, Out First Ball" serves as a reminder that even in sportsmanship, deportment plays a crucial role. It showcases how one's demeanor can leave a lasting impression beyond mere skill or talent. "The Body Beautiful, " Physical Culture for Women captures the essence through black-and-white photographs. These images depict women who have embraced physical fitness as a means to enhance their overall presence and allure. Amidst these captivating photos lies another timeless image titled "A Lesson in Deportment. " This lithograph reminds us that mastering proper etiquette goes beyond appearances; it is about cultivating respect for oneself and others. The Chelsea Follies at the Victoria Palace Theatre transported audiences back to 1930 when glitz and glamour reigned supreme. Here, performers showcased impeccable deportment while dazzling spectators with their extravagant costumes and flawless movements. "A Prince of the Old School, " published by Hannah Humphrey in 1800, presents us with a hand-coloured etching depicting an elegant gentleman embodying refined manners from days gone by. His regal bearing exemplifies how deportment transcends time – always appreciated regardless of era or fashion trends. In all its forms - be it dance studios or physical culture - deportment remains an essential aspect of personal development. It teaches us to carry ourselves with dignity, leaving a lasting impression on those we encounter.