From our extensive theatre and movie memorabilia holdings, here we have a hand-colored, vintage, real photo postcard of stage and movie actress, Gladys Cooper. A beautiful image with a "Happy Birthday" greeting and embossed edges, this remains in fair condition. There are a few older, soft, creases. This measures an approximate 3-1/2" x 5-1/2".

The actress, Gladys Cooper, was born as Gladys Constance Cooper on December 18, 1888, in Lewisham, London, England. Her father was the journalist, William Frederick Cooper. She started on the stage as early as 1905, becoming a member of Frank Curzon's "Gaiety Girls" by 1907. Her first appearance on film was in the 1913 silent movie, "The Eleventh Commandment". A very popular actress, on both stage and film, her career would span 6 decades.

She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1967.

Gladys Cooper was married three times. Her first marriage, to Capt. Herbert Buckmaster, ended in divorce. She then married Sir Neville Pearson, which also ended in divorce. Her third marriage was to actor Philip Merivale.

On November 17, 1971, Gladys Cooper passed away from pneumonia. She had been a popular stage and movie actress in both the UK and America. Appearing as an actress in an approximate 70 movies and television shows, she left an impressive filmography. The movies below are only a small sampling:

• Danny Donovan, the Gentleman Cracksman (1914)
• Thunder on the Hill (1951)
• Separate Tables (1958)
• Pygmalion (1963) (TV)
• My Fair Lady (1964)