CUTE GIRL : PARASOL & BONNET : E. SEAVY : NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA : CABINET CARD

This is a truly charming and beautifully composed cabinet card portrait of a young girl, photographed by E. E. Seavy of New Castle, Pennsylvania. This engaging image captures the child standing confidently in a studio setting, holding a delicate parasol while dressed in a light, softly gathered dress with puffed sleeves. Her large, elaborately trimmed bonnet frames her face, and her softly curled hair—adorned with small bows—adds to the sweetness and period charm of the portrait. The pose is especially appealing. She appears caught in a moment of gentle movement, one hand lightly grasping the parasol while the other gestures as if mid-action, lending the image a sense of life and spontaneity that is often missing in more rigid studio portraits. Her expression carries a subtle smile—warm, curious, and full of personality—making this an especially endearing study of childhood. The mount is attractively styled with a decorative design. The photographer is Edgar E. Seavy (1859–1942), a well-regarded studio photographer who was active in New Castle, Pennsylvania beginning around 1890. Seavy initially operated in partnership with A. R. Fowler before establishing his own studio.This portrait is a fine example of his work—carefully lit, thoughtfully composed, and particularly strong in capturing the natural presence of a child. I currently have four additional cabinet card portraits of children by Seavy, and the consistency across these images makes it clear that he was an immensely talented photographer, especially when working with young subjects. This cabinet card is in overall very good condition. The photograph retains excellent clarity and soft, pleasing tonal range. The mount shows mild edge and corner wear, including more significant wear in the lower left corner. The card remains structurally sound and displays beautifully (see scans).

This Cabinet Card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $88.00 at auction.

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236794140760

Published in: on May 3, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  

NORTHPORT, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK : NORTHPORT HARBOR : UNDIVIDED BACK : 1905

This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty view of Northport Harbor. Northport is located on the Northshore of Long Island and is a community in the township of Huntington. This nautical scene takes place on Long Island Sound. Note the houses at the water’s edge, which include the local yacht club,  as well as the houses built on the hills of the village. Also note the sailboats and the rowboat which likely served as a launch. Historically, Northport was a town and port that was involved in the whaling industry. Many of the houses of the ship captains that lived by the water in the 1800’s, still are housing many of the town’s residents today. They are beautiful and high end residences. This postcard is undivided and was postmarked in 1905. The photograph seen on this card was taken by W. H. Barto.  SOLD

Published in: on May 3, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  

THREE YOUNG CHILDREN POSE FOR THE COLUMBIA VIEW AND BUTTON COMPANY (MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE OR PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

Three young children pose together for a cabinet card portrait by the Columbia View & Button Company of Memphis, Tennessee and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This photograph precipitates a number of questions. Was this photograph taken outdoors, or is this an in-studio portrait? Was this image produced in Memphis, or, in Pittsburgh? Finally, why is the photographic studio called a “View & Button Company”? Lets attempt to answer the previous questions. It is not clear if this is an indoor, or outdoor photograph; nor is it apparent in which of the studios, the image was produced. However, one source reports that the Pittsburgh studio existed between circa 1893 and 1900. This cabinet card is marked on its front as being photographed in 1901. Does the 1901 date preclude the possibility that the image comes from the Pittsburgh studio? The answer is a resounding no. The date on the card  was preprinted and the source is not certain the Pittsburgh studio definitely closed in the exact year 1900. The third question concerns the reason the name of the studio includes the terms “View & Button” . The likely  answer is  that the studio originally produced stereoviews and photograph buttons. The buttons were generally portraits and varied in size. They could be worn or displayed on a piece of furniture or shelf. Large photographic buttons were most popular between 1900 and 1930. The smaller pinback buttons were popular beginning the 1890’s. There is some other information that may prove to be important in learning more about the image. On the reverse of the cabinet card, there are two names written. These names likely identify two of the subjects in the photograph. The two subjects names are Mary  Baker and Guy Baker. Searching census data with a common name like”Baker” was an exercise in frustration, in regard to identifying these probable siblings. After viewing this cabinet card, one notes that the three children in this photograph are not fashionably nor expensively dressed. They are different from most of the children seen in cabinet cards. The majority of children tend to wear their sunday best, which is generally much nicer than these children’s wardrobe. One surmises that these children are not from an affluent family. This cabinet card is in very good condition (see scans).

This Cabinet Card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $68.48 at auction

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336231732823

Published in: on May 2, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Comments (3)  
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MANON LOTI : ACTRESS : COURTESAN : (RAPHAEL TUCK) 1904

This vintage real photo postcard features Manon Loti, a beautiful performer of the Belle Epoque and a noted courtesan. At least one of her liaisons has been written about. She had a short passionate affair with the dashing and wealthy Russian nobleman, Nikolay Felixovich Yusupov. The two were “inseparable” during their affair in Paris. Nikolay’s brother, Prince Felix, described Loti as a beautiful and famous courtesan who lived in great luxury. Loti employed a dwarf as her servant and “mascot”. This postcard was published by Raphael Tuck & Son as part of the “Types of Beauty” series (5029). The postcard has a British stamp and was postmarked in 1904. SOLD

Published in: on May 2, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  

KEWPIE DOLL : PRETTY GLAMOUR MODEL : ART DECO : LEO : RPPC

This vintage French tinted real photo postcard features a pretty young woman holding a very cute kewpie doll. Kewpie is a brand of doll which was modeled after a comic strip character created by cartoonist Rose O’Neill in 1909. The doll had a similar appearance to cupid. In 1912 the first kewpie doll appeared and it was a bisque doll. Later, the dolls were made of composition (1920’s), celluloid (1930’s and 1940’s), and later plastic kewpies made their appearance. The woman in this photo has a beautiful smile and pretty eyes. She is colorfully dressed. This postcard  was published in the 1920’s by Leo as part of a series (No.292).  SOLD

Published in: on May 1, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MLLE BRANDES : ACTRESS : HAND TINTED : REUTLINGER : PARIS : SIP : 1906

This is a striking and elegant Belle Époque hand tinted portrait postcard featuring the actress Brandes, photographed by the renowned Paris studio of Léopold-Émile Reutlinger. This beautifully composed image, issued as part of the S.I.P. (Société Industrielle de Photographie) series, bears the serial number 1187. The subject is presented in a classic Reutlinger studio style—softly lit, refined, and idealized—wearing an ornate lace bodice with delicate hand-applied tinting in pale blue and cream tones. A string of pearls and her carefully styled coiffure reinforce the fashionable aesthetic of the early 1900s. Reutlinger’s studio was widely known for producing high-quality portrait photographs of leading actresses, opera singers, and stage personalities, many of which were issued as collectible postcards during the height of the Belle Époque. The sitter is identified as Brandes, very likely Marthe Brandes (1862–1930), a French stage actress and comedienne active in Parisian theatre during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was a member of the Comedie-Francaise in 1896. She also played at the Theatre de la Renaissance. She often played the femme fatale. She appeared in works by notable playwrights such as Alexandre Dumas and Maurice Donnay. She was associated with the vibrant theatrical scene of Paris, frequently appearing in productions that blended drama and light comedy. As with many performers of the period, surviving biographical detail is somewhat limited, but her presence in Reutlinger’s catalog confirms that she had achieved a level of recognition sufficient to warrant commercial postcard distribution.The card is addressed to a gentleman in Carpentras, France. The postcard was postmarked in 1906. In regard to condition,  the postcard is in overall good condition with strong visual appeal. The image retains excellent contrast and detail, and the hand-tinting remains attractive and well-preserved. There is light, even age toning to the card stock. The upper right corner shows the original stamp and postmark, with minor associated wear. Corners show mild wear consistent with age (see scans).

This vintage postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $14.00 at auction

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236787768354

Published in: on April 30, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  

TRUDE BERLINER : GERMAN ACTRESS, SINGER & DANCER : CASABLANCA : RISQUE : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features Trude Berliner (1903-1977), German actress, singer and dancer. She was also a popular cabaret and comic performer at the Scala and Wintergarten in Berlin during the 1920’s.  This postcard captures her doing a happy dance. The photo is risque. She is showing her bare legs and lifting her dress. Her film career took off and she ultimately appeared in 48 films between 1916 and 1955. She was in a number of well known German movies. Berliner was forced to flee Germany when the Nazis took power in 1933. She first went to France but emigrated to the United States in 1939. Unfortunately, Hollywood did not offer the kind of opportunities she experienced in Europe. She was only able to obtain bit parts in four movies. Interestingly, her first role in an American film was in “Casablanca” (1942). She left acting after 1945 and managed a date farm. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.7390/1). The photograph on this postcard was taken by H. Jeidels at his Berlin studio.  (SOLD)

Published in: on April 30, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  

CUTE BABY WITH A PORCELAIN DOLL : ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI : CABINET CARD 1905

This charming 19th-century cabinet card photograph features a baby posed beside a beautifully dressed porcelain doll. The infant leans forward over a wooden prop, gazing directly at the camera with a curious and slightly mischievous expression. The child is dressed in a light gown with delicate lace trim, while the doll beside her is ornately dressed, wearing a finely pleated gown accented with lace and an elaborate feathered bonnet. The pairing of the child and doll creates a whimsical and endearing composition. The photograph was taken at the studio of Saettele, located in St. Louis, Missouri (imprinted on the mount). Research reveals that the Saettele studio was at the address on the mount only one year (1905). This studio portrait has crisp clarity, strong contrast, and uses fur rugs and furniture props to stage the image. The mount is a standard cabinet card size, with the photographer’s name “Saettele” in ornate script at the bottom.  (SOLD)

Published in: on April 29, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  

UNUSUAL RUSSIAN CABINET CARD PORTRAIT : MAN IN UNIFORM : LEATHER JACKET c1900

This is a striking and somewhat unusual cabinet card portrait featuring a young man posed in studio, dressed in what appears to be a distinctive uniform or occupational attire. The photograph has a strong presence, with the sitter facing forward and engaging the viewer directly, his expression calm, alert, and slightly intense. He wears a neatly groomed thin mustache, and his wide, steady gaze adds a sense of personality and individuality to the image. What immediately stands out is his clothing. He is dressed in a buttoned leather or leather-like jacket, which has a slightly reflective surface, suggesting either treated leather or a heavy protective garment. Beneath it, he wears a high-collared shirt or tunic. On his head is a rounded cap with a structured band, reminiscent of military or early industrial uniforms. The overall look strongly suggests an occupational or service-related portrait—possibly railway, early aviation, mechanical trades, or even a paramilitary or military-adjacent role. While it is difficult to definitively identify the exact profession, the uniform is clearly not ordinary civilian dress. The mount is attractively printed with decorative elements. The reverse is particularly informative and places the photograph geographically. It is printed in both Russian and French. The presence of Cyrillic text, combined with the bilingual French wording (common in higher-end studios of the Russian Empire), strongly indicates that this cabinet card originates from Imperial Russia, likely dating to the late 19th or early 20th century (circa 1895–1910). The photograph presents well overall with a pleasing, slightly warm sepia tone and good clarity of detail. There is moderate, honest age-related wear to the mount, including some edge and corner wear, light soiling, and minor surface marks. Notably, there is a visible diagonal crease at the top right corner of the mount, which can be felt when handled but does not break through or significantly distract from the image area. See Scans

This vintage postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $80.00 at auction

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236779044557

Published in: on April 28, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  

OSSI OSWALDA: BEAUTIFUL GERMAN SILENT FILM STAR

POSTCARD 1

                                                    ossi                           POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

                                                                  This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 5502_0001.jpgPOSTCARD 3   (SOLD)

Picture 1 of 3POSTCARD 4  (SOLD)

OSSI OSWALDA : BEAUTIFUL GERMAN SILENT FILM STAR : RISQUE RPPC - Picture 2 of 3 POSTCARD 5  (SOLD)

The beautiful actress seen in the top vintage real photo postcard is named Ossi Oswalda (1897-1947). She was born in Germany and appeared predominately in silent films. She was a leading lady, popular comedienne,  dancer, and singer. Due to her popularity, she  was known as “the German Mary Pickford”. Ossi began her career as a ballerina and she danced in a chorus line for a theater in Berlin. She made her film debute in “Night of Horrors” (1916) and was noticed by actor/screenwriter Hanns Kraly, who introduced her to director Ernst Lubitsch. Oswalda’s early career began with appearances in several Lubitsch films. In 1921, she and her husband started a film production company that produced four films over four years, all starring Miss Oswalda. After 1925, she was under contract to UFA, a German film company. After the transition to “talkies”, Oswalda joined the ranks of actresses and actors, who’s career took a nose dive. She only acted in two sound films. Her final screen appearance was in “The Star of Valencia”. She then began acting on the stage. She appeared in operettas in Germany and Vienna. When the National Socialists took power in Germany, she emigrated to Prague with her “Jewish life partner”, Julius Aubenberg. In 1943, she wrote a story for a Czechoslovakian film. In summarizing Ossi’s career, the IMDb credits her with 51 film appearances,  producing 5 films, and 1 screen writing credit. It is reported that she frequently played child-like spoiled women. She appeared in drag in at least one film. Oswalda’s first marriage (1919-1925) was to a Hungarian baron. After her divorce, the actress began a highly publicized romantic relationship with Crown Prince Willhelm (1882-1951). Simultaneously, the actress Lily Damita, was having an affair with the Prince’s son. The royal family put a kibosh to both “inappropriate” relationships. In 1947, she died in Prague at age 48, bankrupt and suffering from multiple health problems. This German real photo postcard is published by Ross Verlag soemetime between 1919 and 1924. The photograph of Miss Oswalda was taken by Becker & Maass of Berlin. Note her pretty hat and fan. Hopefully, she wasn’t allergic to feathers. Oswalda was young when this photograph was taken. She was beautiful and no older than 27 years of age.            

Postcard 2 features Miss Oswalda in a very skimpy costume. Her feathered hat is quite showy . She has a wonderful smile and pretty eyes. This risque postcard was part of  a series (no. 1050/2) and published by Ross Verlag of Berlin, Germany. The logo of UFA, a German film company, appears on the lower right hand corner of the postcard. The reverse of the postcard reveals that that the photographer is Strobl J. Nandor of Budapest, Hungary. (SOLD)

  Postcard 3 is a German real photo postcard that was published by Ross Verlag. Miss Oswalda’s photo was taken by celebrity photographer Alex Binder.   (SOLD)

Postcard 4 captures Miss Oswalda looking amused. She is flashing a wonderful smile. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag of Berlin, Germany (no.474/2).   (SOLD)

Postcard 5 captures Miss Oswalda in a provocative pose. She is wearing a short skirt resulting in quite a leggy photo. Posing her with her hands on her hips was aimed at being suggestive. This risque postcard was published by Ross Verlag of Berlin, Germany (no.483/1). The photographer of this portrait of Oswalda was celebrity photographer Alex Binder.  (SOLD)

POSTCARD 3

POSTCARD 4

POSTCARD 5

Published in: on April 28, 2026 at 11:30 am  Comments (2)  
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