Accession Number

2015.003

Description

Black and white photograph of Edna Wallace Hopper standing in a beaded gown and cap beside a window on a rug made from the hide of a tiger. She holds a bouquet of flowers in one hand while looking down. "Copyright 1910 by Moffatt Studio Chicago" written in white on bottom right corner. Culver Service Photo Research stamp and sticker on verso. "Edna Wallace Hopper, 1910, 5802 Stopper [?]" written in pencil on verso.

Narrative

Edna Wallace Hopper (some sources say her lifespan was 1865-1959, others say 1874-1959) was the step-daughter of Alexander Dunsmuir. She led a highly successful stage career in New York City before branching into her own line of health and beauty products. She also wrote books and magazine articles on health and beauty topics, and became a Wall Street stock trader. Edna Wallace Hopper inherited Dunsmuir House in Oakland, CA about 15 months after Alexander Dunsmuir’s death in 1900. She eventually joined Joan Olive Dunsmuir in a lawsuit against Hon. James Dunsmuir in which she sought to have Alexander’s Will overturned. She lost the action. Ms. Hopper’s business acumen eventually enabled her to rise to highest levels in business.

History of Use

unknown

Date

1910

Dimensions

24 x 18.5 cm

Inscription

verso: Edna Wallace Hopper, 1910, 5802 Stopper

Country of Origin

United States of America