The old maid having her picture taken /

"Scene opens in a photographer's studio. A typical old maid, impersonated by Mr. Gilbert Saroni [sic], enters to have her picture made. While the photographer is making his camera ready the old maid walks about the studio. She first looks at a hanger with a number of photo samples, which immediately falls from the wall, not being able to stand her gaze. She then looks at the clock and her face frightens the clock and causes the hands to turn around at lightning speed, and the clock suddenly falls to the floor with a crash. She then walks over to the mirror to ascertain the trouble, and as she presents herself in front of the glass it suddenly cracks in several places. The photographer then sits her in a chair and poses her ready for her picture. Just as he is to press the button the camera explodes with a great puff of smoke, completely destroying the camera and demolishing the studio. The picture finishes up with the old maid tipping back in her chair and losing her balance, displaying a large quantity of fancy lace goods. A sure winner. Length 75 feet"--Edison films catalog, no. 105.
H1494 U.S. Copyright Office
Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 1Mar1901; H1494.
Gilbert Sarony (Old maid).
Duration: 1:16 at 16 fps.
Probably photographed in February, 1901 in Edison's New York City studio.
Paper print shelf number (LC 0739) was changed when the paper prints were re-housed.
Additional holdings for this title may be available. Contact reference librarian.
Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as digital files.
Sources used: Niver, K. Early motion pictures, p. 227; Musser, C. Before the nickelodeon, p. 167-169; Edison films catalog, no. 105, July 1901, p. 76-77 [MI]; AFI catalog, film beginnings, 1893-1910, p. 749; Copyright catalog, motion pictures, 1894-1912.
Early motion pictures : the Paper Print Collection in the Library of Congress / by Kemp R. Niver. Library of Congress. 1985.
Paper print roll lacking suffix.