Mark Twain: Celebrity Photography's First Superstar Was Also One Of its Most Outspoken Critics

Steve Meltzer at the web site imaging-resource.com offers a piece on Mark Twain and celebrity photography.

He was one of the most photographed individuals of the 19th century. With his trademark droopy moustache and big cigar, he was the first media darling, but also one of its earliest critics. The camera loved him, although he rarely returned the admiration. He was Mark Twain and he was as much a creation of celebrity as Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.

... He was the first celebrity, and like Lady Gaga and Madonna after him, he took control of his image. With his family, he starred in dozens of the new photographic spreads that filled the pages of magazines like Harper's Illustrated and the Ladies Home Journal. Commonplace today, these picture stories were a revelation to 19th century audiences. In any number of puff pieces, breathless readers could see with their own eyes for the first time actual photographs of a celebrity. Here was Twain relaxing with a cigar, playing pool or just sitting on the porch with his family.

You can read the rest of the piece and see some interesting photos of Mark Twain via the below link:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2013/03/05/mark-twain-celebrity-photographys-first-superstar-and-critic
He was the first celebrity, and like Lady Gaga and Madonna after him, he took control of his image. With his family, he starred in dozens of the new photographic spreads that filled the pages of magazines like Harper's Illustrated and the Ladies Home Journal. Commonplace today, these picture stories were a revelation to 19th century audiences. In any number of puff pieces, breathless readers could see with their own eyes for the first time actual photographs of a celebrity. Here was Twain relaxing with a cigar, playing pool or just sitting on the porch with his family.