Autograph
Desiree Ellinger
12th January 1922

Desiree Ellinger, whose autograph is pictured above, was a opera and comedy performer, and a soprano with the Hallé between 1917 and 1922.

Born in 1894 in Manchester, Desiree was a popular figure across the country, particularly in London. Courtesy of the Serpentine Swimming Club, here is a great anecdote concerning Miss Ellinger:

In April 1930, Desiree met GB Olympic Water Polo player Ted Temme at a private party, and wagered a bet that she could win a swimming race against him. Temme told Ellinger he bet he could swim twice as fast as her. Desiree, in response, declared that she would donate £25 to a London hospital if he could prove this in a race; Temme was to swim two lengths of the Serpentine whilst Ellinger swam one.

Both challengers signed declarations that they had never swum professionally, sending them to Mr. H. E. Ferme, Hon. Secretary of the Amateur Swimming Association. However, before the race could take place, Desiree recieved a note informing her that it was illegal for her to swim in the Serpentine, a lake reserved at the time for the all-male swimming club.

The pair decided to hold the race regardless, but Ted's car was stopped by police on the way to the lake. Desiree, however, managed to evade the police. Although she was unable to take part in the race due to Ted's arrest, Desiree nonetheless entered the forbidden waters for a quick dip.

She was arrested by waiting police after entering the water, but this anecdote makes her the first woman to have entered the Serpentine.

Desiree was an exuberant individual and performer - she appeared in leading operatic roles in Covent Garden before turning 18, and made a name for herself across the pond in a Broadway production of 'Rose Marie.'