Baron (“Mister”) Siroon Missakian was born in 1891 or 1892 in Istanbul, Turkey, of Armenian parents. As a youth he apprenticed to the official photographer for the Ottoman Empire. A patron from Boston, impressed when he heard the boy’s voice in an Armenian church, brought him to this country in 1913. Missakian enlisted in the Army during World War I and spent most of his service time singing for Liberty Bond Campaigns. After the war, he managed a Chicago portrait studio, later moving to Kansas City in 1925. Known as a “creative photographer,” Missakian captured the images of Kansas City's resident and visiting performers during the Jazz Age, a time when Kansas City was one of the most dynamic arts centers in America. His camera not only documented the worlds of classical music and dance, but also the new popular entertainments, vaudeville and the movies. By 1926 he was well established and garnered awards for his studio portraits. Among those photographed were Missakian’s friend and neighbor Walt Disney, Milton Berle and Sir Carl Busch, founder of the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra. Baron Missakian died July 7, 1964 after a long illness
Head shot of Ruth Elder in cloche hat and fur coat with her hand up on her collar.
Head shot of Ruth Elder in cloche hat and fur coat with her hand up on her collar.
Ruth Elder in feather covered hat, flowers and silk dress posed with one hand to her chest and one on her hip.
Ruth Elder in feather covered hat, flowers and silk dress posed with one hand to her chest and one on her hip.
Ruth Hamilton facing camera with her body turned to her left, right hand on chest.
Ruth Hamilton facing camera with her body turned to her left, right hand on chest.
Sylvia Tell in ballet costume with sequined hat and ruffled collar.
Head shot of Sylvia Tell in ballet costume with sequined hat and ruffled collar.
Sylvia Tell in white dress in front of painted backdrop.
Sylvia Tell in costume in ruffled collar and beaded hat.
Sylvia Tell in southwestern costume with guitar.
Sylvia Tell in costume in ruffled collar and beaded hat.
Sylvia Tell in southwestern costume and sombrero.