Lillie Langtry was the original pin-up girl. She took London society by storm with her simple clothes and radiant complexion and became an inspiration to some of the most important poets and artists of the day. An affair with the Prince of Wales added a hint of notoriety to her famous name and later helped to launch a successful stage career.


Mrs Langtry by Edward Poynter 1878

Portrait by Sir John Everett Millais


Poynter's portrait of Lillie Langtry shows her as a sensual woman in low-necked, ornate, silk stage costume. This contrasts with John Millais' famous painting "A Jersey Lily" which presents a more innocent image by capturing her in the simple black mourning dress worn at her first
London society party.


Lillie Langtry's travelling case


The Lillie Langtry collection at the Jersey archive contains over 150 documents including photographs of Lillie in her various acting roles and letters between Lillie and her daughter Jeanne about Jeanne's discovery of her true parentage.

An extract of a letter from Lillie to her daughter, held at the Jersey Archive, reads:

"I think I have always shown you my intense love for you and to be in the same town as you and not see you makes me so wretched that I am quite ill"

A miscellany of Lillie Langtry items, including her ornate travelling case and various items of furniture can be found at the Jersey Museum.