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A Curious Old Photograph from 1925: Mildred Billert and Hazel Bowman of Ned Wayburn’s Revue

Explore a curious old photograph from 1925 featuring Mildred Billert and Hazel Bowman, both of Ned Wayburn's Revue, a vaudeville show. Learn about the unique features of the bikes the women are riding and the swastika tread on the bike on the left.
Officers Wallace, Trundle and Johnson (Washington Post)
boy on the steps to the Octagon House in 1921
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Here’s a curious old photograph for you. This one is from 1925 and features Mildred Billert and Hazel Bowman, both of Ned Wayburn‘s Revue, a vaudeville show.

February 7, 1925. Washington, D.C. "Mildred Billert and Hazel Bowman of Ned Wayburn's Revue." National Photo Company glass negative. (Shorpy)
February 7, 1925. Washington, D.C. “Mildred Billert and Hazel Bowman of Ned Wayburn’s Revue.” National Photo Company glass negative. (Shorpy)

A few things you should notice about the photo … the two women are riding men’s bicycles, which is not easy while wearing dresses. The woman on the right is actually just sitting on the bike with the kickstand down. Last, the bike on the left has a tread made up of swastikas — of course, this was well before it was co-opted as the symbol of the Nazis. The bike is an Ariel Gents 1925.

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