Clara Selby in 'Rumpelstiltskin'

A carte-de-visite portrait of the actress-manager known professionally as Mrs Charles Selby or sometimes as Clara Selby. She is seen here in a production of 'the grand extravaganza' Rumpelstiltskin; or, The Woman at the Wheel by F.C. Burnaud, first presented at the New Royalty Theatre in London, then under the management of Mrs Selby, as the Easter entertainment in 1864.

'It is founded upon one of the German legends of the Brothers Grimm, with slight variations. [...] It appears [the dwarf Rumpelstiltskin] has a secret which is betrayed by an old witch, his grandmother, played by Mrs C. Selby, and in an amusing scene, representing a laughable parody of one of our law courts, justice is done to all parties, and the usual gorgeous tableau in the heart of the Rumpelstiltskin Goblin Gold Mines, with a very large nugget, closes the extravaganza. The general interest of the piece was much enhanced by the introduction of several burlesque songs and choruses, extremely well sung, and by the graceful dancing of Miss Rosina Wright and a strong corps de ballet' (Morning Post, 29 March 1864).

A pencilled inscription verso in a period hand identifies the other two sitters as 'Miss Turtle and Miss Darby,' neither of whom rates a mention in any of the small ads placed in the classified columns of various newspaper to advertise the pantomime.

Mrs Selby was at this point in her career the widow of the English actor and playwright Charles Selby, who died at his home in Covent Garden on 21 March 1863. Charles Selby's real name was George Henry Wilson. He had married widow Sarah Susannah Jarvis (née Prynne) at St Pancras Church in London on 15 April 1858. 'Sarah Susannah Wilson otherwise Clara Selby' died, aged 77, on 8 February 1873 at 17 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, leaving an estate valued at £450.

Photographed by the Southwell Brothers of London.