Two very well dressed children pose in their winter coats and hats at the studio of H. C. Gabriel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The children are posed in a faux outdoor scene complete with snow on the ground and snow covered fences. Herman C. Gabriel is noted in the 1900 U. S. census. The census reveals that he was born in Austria in 1833. He was married in 1873 to Johanna Gabriel. He was living with his wife and 22 year-old, American born daughter, Emma. His occupation is listed as “Photographer”. Herman Gabriel is cited in the American Photographer (1916) for winning second place in a photography competition. This Cabinet Card portrait is in very good condition and has excellent clarity (see scans).
This Cabinet Card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $66.00 or best offer
This vintage real photo postcard features the celebrated soprano Mary Garden (1874–1967), one of the most renowned opera singers of the early 20th century. The card was photographed by Reutlinger of Paris, one of the premier portrait studios of the Belle Époque, known for capturing glamorous and artistic images of actors, actresses, dancers, and opera stars. The postcard is numbered 970 and published by S.I.P. (Société Industrielle de Photographie), a company that issued countless high-quality portrait postcards of stage and musical personalities. The card is captioned “Op Comique”, referring to the Opéra-Comiquein Paris, one of the city’s most important opera houses. Founded in 1714, the Opéra-Comique specialized in works that combined spoken dialogue with music, and it played a central role in shaping French opera tradition. Mary Garden was strongly associated with this venue, as it was here that she established her reputation as a daring and charismatic performer. Mary Garden, born in Scotland in 1874 and raised in the United States, became a dominant figure in French opera. She was especially famous for her collaborations with composer Claude Debussy, creating the role of Mélisande in the opera Pelléas et Mélisande in 1902. Known for her expressive acting, striking beauty, and captivating stage presence, Garden became not only a star of the Opéra-Comique but also a celebrated figure on the international opera stage. Later in her career, she brought her fame to the United States, where she sang at the Chicago Opera and served as its director for a time. She was remembered as much for her dramatic interpretations and independence as for her voice. In this portrait, Garden gazes softly at the camera, her hair elegantly coiffed and adorned with a ribbon, while she wears a shimmering gown and pearl necklace. She holds a fan or handkerchief delicately in her hand, displaying rings that add to her aura of sophistication. The subdued background and rich tonal quality of the Reutlinger photograph highlight her poise and timeless beauty. SOLD
This cabinet card photograph, produced by the Hathaway studio located at 15th & Lawrence in Denver, Colorado, portrays a man and a young child, affectionately referred to as “Big Montie and Little Montie” (as inscribed on the reverse of the card). The man, likely “Big Montie,” exudes confidence and sophistication. He wears a dark overcoat with broad lapels and a top hat, giving him a distinguished and formal appearance. His neatly groomed mustache complements his poised expression, suggesting an air of dignity. The child, “Little Montie,” is bundled in a luxurious, fur-lined coat and a stylish cap, radiating charm and warmth. Their close pose and cheerful expressions convey a sense of familial love and pride. “Little Montie” is holding a charming toy—a small wooden or metal carriage with wheels, likely a doll-sized pram. This prop adds a playful and endearing element to the portrait, The scalloped edges of the card add a decorative and elegant touch. The photo features a neutral studio backdrop, keeping the focus entirely on the subjects. This photograph was taken at the Hathaway studio in Denver, Colorado. (SOLD)
This vintage postcard features an alluring young woman sitting on a chair and resting her feet on a small table. The woman is an Oriental Dancer, sometimes referred to as a Belly Dancer. She is wearing a risque costume and holding a tambourine. She is in a room decorated with oriental rugs. Note the parrot on a perch behind the dancer. Oriental dance is one of the oldest dance styles in the world. It’s origins are not clear. Centuries ago women did ritual dances (oriental dancing) in Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Dancers in ancient Greece and Rome did their version of Oriental dancing which included hip and pelvic gyrations. It is thought that Oriental dancing may have been born in Egypt during ancient times. This Arabic expressive dancing varies in costume and dance style. depending on country and region. The Egyptian style is most well known around the world. This is an undivided postcard of French origin. The publisher is unknown. This vintage postcard is in very good condition (see scans).
This vintage Postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $36.00 or best offer.
This striking 19th-century cabinet card portrait features Frederick Augustus Porter Barnard (1809–1889), a towering figure in American higher education and one of the most consequential university presidents of his era. Barnard served as President of Columbia University from 1864 to 1889, transforming the institution from a modest college into a leading modern university. During his 25-year tenure, he expanded Columbia’s faculty, improved academic standards, and championed scientific education at a time when American universities were only beginning to embrace research-based scholarship. Barnard was also a pioneering advocate for women’s higher education, a stance unusual in his time. His work and influence ultimately led to the founding of Barnard College in 1889, named in his honor shortly after his death. A respected scientist and polymath, Barnard contributed in fields ranging from astronomy to mathematics, and his legacy remains deeply woven into Columbia’s history and American academia more broadly. This portrait was created by the prestigious New York studio Pach Brothers, one of the most esteemed photographic firms of the 19th century. Renowned for their refined lighting, elegant posing, and superb printing, Pach Bros. was the official photographer for many elite institutions—including Columbia University—and produced portraits of prominent Americans, scholars, and social leaders. This elegant cabinet card is a classic example of their work, exquisitely capturing Barnard’s thoughtful expression, dignified bearing, and signature long beard and spectacles. The image presents Barnard in profile-three-quarter view, his gaze steady and contemplative. His crisp white collar and formal coat enhance the scholarly and statesmanlike presence that characterized his career. This is a historically meaningful portrait of one of Columbia’s most transformative figures, taken by one of New York’s most important portrait studios.(SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features a mother and daughter and a bench. Mom is sitting on and the little girl is standing on the bench. The child is directing an eerie stare at the photographer. Note 1) the child’s cute socks, 2) mom’s hat hanging on the armrest of the bench, and 3) the small pail on the bench in front of the little girl (there are roosters painted on the pail). I believe that this postcard is Hungarian based on a “google translate” search of the word “Kapta” which appears on the reverse of the card. This vintage postcard is in good condition (see scans).
This vintage Postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $16.00 or best offer.
This early 20th-century real photo postcard captures a rare and picturesque streetscape of East Northport, Long Island, New York, featuring the community’s original firehouse. The shingled, two-story building stands proudly at the roadside, crowned with a distinctive bell tower—a classic architectural feature of early volunteer fire departments. This was the heart of early firefighting efforts in East Northport, a town transitioning from rural farmland to a growing residential community. A single early automobile travels down the unpaved road. Telephone poles line the street, hinting at modernization, while modest barns and shops dot the horizon, portraying a quiet village not yet transformed by suburban expansion. The scene feels peaceful and full of small-town charm, capturing a moment before paved roads, traffic lights, and strip-malls changed the region forever. The East Northport Fire Department was established in 1908. The volunteer firemen not only fought fires but they built the fire service themselves. They funded constructing a building with a strawberry festival and other fund raising events. By 1909 the building was complete. In 1923 the department began to receive tax payer support. Today the East Northport fire department has multiple locations. This albertype postcard was published by C. E. Robertson. The card provides not only a historical view but also a personal touch—having been used and mailed locally to a resident of East Northport. The message adds warmth, revealing everyday life during this era, when postcards served as quick notes between friends and family. The following is a transcription of the message on the card. “Dear Jessie, You & Evelyn be good little girls and we will be back soon. Tell Evelyn to go to sleep early and wait for a letter in the next mail. Love from Ma & Pa.” (SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features a street view of Tejon Street and the business district of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Note the line of diagonally parked 1940’s cars. The Rocky Mountains make a wonderful natural backdrop. Pikes peak is just 30 miles away from Tejon Street. Also visible is a sign for the Albany Hotel. The hotel was built in 1902. While wealthy tourists stayed at high class hotels like the Broadmoor, the Albany Hotel provided hospitality to the middle class visitors. The building is there today and serves as a 70 room apartment house. The publisher of this card is the Sanborn Souvenir Company. Harold Sanborn established the company in the 1920’s. The firm operated out of Denver, Colorado. The company published at least 10,000 different real photo postcards. This postcard was postmarked in Colorado Springs in 1948. The year is also printed on the image on the front of the card. The postcard is addressed to someone in Tripoli, Iowa. (SOLD)
The pretty actress seen on this vintage real photo postcard is Iris Hoey (1885-1979). She has a beautiful smile. Hoey was a British actress who performed in the first half of the twentieth century. She appeared in both stage and movie roles. Iris was born in London. Her father was a professor of economics. She began her career in straight theater and in musical comedies. Her first film appearance was in 1922. She was very active in the 1930’s working in film but still found time for theater. Th IMDb credits her with 20 acting roles in films. They range from 1922 to 1954. The IBDb reports that Hoey performed in two Broadway shows. Twelve portraits of Iris Hoey are part of the collection of Great Britain’s National Portrait Gallery. Hoey is considered to be among the prettiest actresses of her era. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo and is part of a series (no.2010E). The initials “AN” can be seen in the bottom left corner of the image. Alfred Noyer was a highly prominent and acclaimed French photographer and publisher based in Paris. This vintage postcard is in overall Good Condition. There is minor surface and corner wear present. This closeup photo of Miss Hoey presents well (see scans).
This vintage Postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $12.00 or best offer.
This vintage real photo postcard features one half of the dance partners from the “Duo Georgigust”. The pair were a popular dance couple during the 1910’s. Judging by the dancer’s tight clothing and revealing top, there must have been a sexual tone to her dance routine. This is a relatively risque photograph for it’s time. The reverse of this postcard is an advertisement for Georgigust’s act. Georgigust is described as a “modern duo” and promises that they will perform 15 transformations (different dances?, different acts?) and a “new number” in a wonderful bright decor. This postcard is an advertisement for the “Paris Female Revue”. The photo postcard below, shows the duo reunited and dancing together. SOLD
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