Sexy, beautiful actress Sadie Martinot, 1885 cabinet card, tragic ending

Description

Sadie Martinot (1861-1923) as Nanon, 1885: She was an American soprano singer and actress. She began in burlesque, then starred in musical comedy, and finally in vaudeville. She made her stage debut at the age of 15 and her New York City stage debut at the age of 16. She starred as Hebe in the original American production of H.M.S. Pinafore, was the first to play Katrina in the comic opera Rip Van Winkle, and was the first to play Nanon in the first English production of Nanon (1885, this photo). Her 39 year career extended from 1876-1915. “Roguish, tantalizingly feminine, and altogether lovable.” “a sweet low voice as flawless as silver”. 1890 interview: “Dear little bubblesome Sadie! An excellent example of how a bright, pretty woman can push her way rapidly to the front of the theatrical profession. One of her hallmark skills is an ability to imitate the vocal style of any other female singer.” 1895, Marysville, CA: The Passport, “the cleverest woman who has ever favored Marysville with a comedy presentation. She is simply magnificent”. At the age of 55 she jumped nude from a second story window. She spent the rest of her life in mental institutions, dying at the age of 61.
She poses standing, looking up and to her right, wearing a huge lace headdress; a low-cut white dress with flower corsage, floral decorations, and a tied ribbon belt; and arm-length, fingerless white gloves. She holds the hem of her dress out with her left hand.
Photographers: W.&D. Downey, 57 & 61 Ebury Street, London, S.W.
Reverse: Ornate advertisement for W.&D. Downey. At bottom is the stamp of Charles L. Ritzmann, famed New York photographer, collector, and distributor of actress photographs.
Condition: Very good with light soiling and no other defects. Exhibits only slight warping typical of cabinet cards
I find no other examples of this cabinet card.