WILLIAMS, Kate, as Vulcana.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Photographic portrait of the world-famous Victorian strongwoman in performance wear. The Welsh strongwoman, best known by her stage name Vulcana, is pictured here in her usual performance wear in a pose which emphasizes her biceps. She also advocated for the benefits of exercise for women and against the ills of corsetryKate Williams (1874/6-1946) joined her local gymnasium at 15, which was run by strongman William Hedley Roberts. Persuaded to join his troupe, Williams and Roberts performed together as the strong sibling act Atlas and Vulcana. They toured across Britain and abroad, including in France, Spain, and Australia.Kenneth MacIver's studio stamp gives his Stockton-on-Tees address at 1 Bishop Street, which operated between 1898 and 1907, so this photograph was likely made during this time.

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