Maurice (Moise) Seymour (Zeldman)

Obituary: Maurice Seymour, 93, a Chicago celebrity photographer from the 1920s through the 1960s, photographed many of the top stage and film stars of the era as well as prima ballerinas and famous dancers. A resident of Chicago's East Rogers Park neighborhood, he died Friday in Columbus Hospital. There actually were two Maurice Seymours, he and and his brother, Seymour Zeldman. Both were theatrical photographers and used the same signature on their works. The brothers learned their trade in Russia before coming to Chicago. Their last name was Zeldman. Maurice and his brother formed Maurice Seymour Studios in the late 1920s. When Seymour Zeldman later decided to move to New York, each brother legally changed his name to Maurice Seymour. Mr. Seymour's brother of the same name lives in Boston. Mr. Seymour, who often photographed stars passing through Chicago as well as local celebrities, was especially known for his work with dancers. "Many of the top dance performers were Russian, and he spoke their language," his son, Ron, an advertising photographer, said. "The stage performers whom he photographed often sought him out because of his ability to portray them as they appeared to the audience 100 feet away. He could retouch the photos, enhance their appearance . . . keep the illusion going. It was a different time." Among the stars he photographed were Harry Belafonte, Edith Piaf, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Gertrude Lawrence, and Johnny Ray, many of them when they were starting on their careers. A 1958 Tribune article described him in his studio: "He works in baggy pants, sweat shirt and sandals, usually with hair dangling in his eyes and a cigarette from his lips. He usually does everything but stand on his head to put his clients in the mood for posing. It is reported that some top performers patronize him just to watch him perform." Survivors, besides his son and brother, include four grandchildren. (Source: Chicago Tribune on October 09, 1993)