Laverie Vallee makes erotic film for Thomas Edison

I'm doing research for what i think will be my next big series of drawings. Growing up my father loved everything that was the worlds largest, smallest, neatest, fastest etc. In fact, if we ever found or saw something REALLY cool he would introduce it by saying "it walks, it talks, it crawls on it's belly like a reptile..."

Laverie Vallee, Charmion, was a Sacramento born trapeze artist who possessed strength and a physique most men would be envious of. However, she was most well known for her risqué striptease performances.

The act opened with Charmion taking the stage in full Victorian attire. She would then mount the trapeze and proceed to undress to her leotard while performing impressive and strength-dependant stunts. The act was incredibly impressive and provocative for the era. However, the controversy created by her performances did not prevent the formulation of a devoted, and mostly male, fan base.

One of her greatest fans was Thomas Edison. As a result of that adoration, on November 11, 1901 Charmion committed a simplified version of her act to film for Edison. The film, simply entitled ‘Trapeze Disrobing Act’ focused more on the erotic aspect of the performance, though a few remarkable feats of strength are featured.

Charmion eventually retired to Santa Ana, California. She passed away on February 6, 1949 at the age of 73.