THE CABINET CARD GALLERY

This unusual antique cabinet card presents an unidentified Victorian gentleman standing in a photographer’s studio, probably during the late 1880s to early 1890s. He wears a three-piece suit consisting of a buttoned sack-style coat, vest and dark trousers, together with a high-collared shirt and patterned necktie. His carefully groomed hair and prominent sweeping mustache give him a distinguished appearance. This cabinet card’s most fascinating feature is the partially visible painted studio backdrop. Rather than filling the entire background in the conventional manner, the scenic canvas occupies only the left side of the composition, where it depicts a dramatic rocky landscape with water, vegetation and a cloud-filled sky. The straight vertical edge of the painted backdrop remains plainly visible, while the gentleman stands against a comparatively plain dark background. This is an uncommon and visually intriguing studio arrangement. The photographer may have failed to draw the scenic canvas completely across the studio, or the image may show the point where two different backdrop panels met. Whether intentional or accidental, the exposed edge gives the photograph an unexpectedly modern, almost theatrical composition and offers an interesting glimpse into the practical workings of a 19th-century photographic studio. The gentleman rests one hand upon a rustic studio prop resembling artificial boulders or a rock formation, partly covered with draped fabric or fur and decorated with a bouquet of flowers. The man’s sack-style coat, vest, narrow silhouette and neckwear are consistent with men’s fashions of approximately 1885–1895. No sitter’s name, photographer’s imprint or geographic location is present. (SOLD)

This vintage real photo postcard features two young children riding a donkey. Pardon my lack of equine knowledge; perhaps the donkey is actually a mule or burro. The kid’s mother stands behind the children playing a supportive role. Both mom and the oldest child are smiling and apparently having a good time. The younger child appears unsure of what to feel. It is likely that the pair are siblings. I believe the donkey is actually a live donkey rather than the typical studio taxidermied donkey. Not only is this donkey alive, it is also an urban donkey. Note the city building and the sidewalk in this photograph. Note the open window behind mom and the burglar bars on the ground level windows. The AZO stamp box on the reverse of this postcard indicates that the card was published sometime between 1904 and 1918. SOLD

This original real photo postcard (RPPC) features a terrific early football team portrait, dated 1914. The image shows twelve young men, arranged in three rows, posing proudly in their early gridiron uniforms. The players wear heavy woolen sweaters, lace-up padded pants, and high leather boots—an iconic look for American football teams of the 1910s, just before the introduction of standardized protective gear. The young men stand and sit with arms folded, presenting a confident and cohesive team. The player seated front and center holds an early leather football, and written on the ball in bold white lettering is: “ST. ANNS 1914.” St. Anne’s, was likely a school or parish football squad. The style of uniforms, the composition, and the studio backdrop all reflect athletics in small-town America just prior to World War I. Each player displays serious, determined expressions—a wonderful historical snapshot of early football culture. The postcard itself is an AZO real photo card with a divided back (four triangles pointing upward), dating it securely to the 1904–1918 period and matching the 1914 date on the football. (SOLD)

This attractive vintage color-tinted postcard, titled “Ifugao Belle – Philippines,” depicts a young Ifugao woman wearing a traditional striped wraparound skirt and colorful necklace, standing beside a wooden ladder with what appears to be a cigar in her mouth. The Ifugao are an Indigenous people of the mountainous Cordillera region of northern Luzon, internationally recognized for their remarkable rice terraces and distinctive cultural traditions. Dating approximately to the early 20th century, during the American colonial period in the Philippines, the postcard was published by I. Beck of Manila, P.I. (Philippine Islands), and bears the identification number U 51106 on the reverse. This is an interesting example of early Philippine ethnographic and cultural imagery. SOLD

This hand tinted vintage real photo postcard features a famous German opera singer who met a tragic end. In 1906, hours before she was to go on stage as Carmen, at the Opera Comique, Walter was murdered in her own home. She was killed by her ex boyfriend, Karl August Hesse, who suspected that Walter was planning on becoming engaged to Juan Raventos, a Spanish Tenor. Hesse committed suicide after killing the 21 year-old Miss Walter. Hesse was a frustrated opera singer who could not find success. He had a history of being jealous of other men. He also had a history of physically abusing Walter in his jealous tantrums. Walter had tried to end the relationship with Hesse but he would not comply. The police found letters from Raventos in Hesse’s apartment. Raventos had written to Hesse telling him that he would not end his relationship with Walter.
This postcard was published by Rotophot and is part of a series (S734-6713). Rotophot was a German company that eventually morphed into Ross Verlag. SOLD

This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty young French woman posing for a studio photographer. She is beautifully dressed; quite the fashionista. She has large hat that appears to be made of straw. She is holding flowers behind her back in an unusual pose. The photographer was creative with his use of lighting and there is an interesting backdrop. The photographer was Abel Morfoisse and his studio was in Toulon, France. Writing on the reverse of the card indicates that it was written in 1912. SOLD

This striking original-looking WWII-era photograph, dating from approximately 1939–1945, depicts a German Wehrmacht (Heer) soldier seated in a grassy field alongside a magnificent German shepherd, identified on the reverse as a military dog handler (maître-chien). The soldier wears a German Army field-gray tunic bearing the national eagle, collar insignia, shoulder boards and a peaked military cap, although his precise rank and regiment cannot be established from the photograph. The wonderfully composed outdoor portrait captures an unusually relaxed moment, with the soldier looking directly at the camera while his large German shepherd lies comfortably beside him against a rural background of trees and open countryside. Particularly interesting are the markings on the reverse, including a faded oval Cyrillic stamp and the Russian word ПОГАШЕНО, meaning “cancelled,” which indicates previous Soviet administrative possession. SOLD

This uncommon vintage real photo postcard features Miss Barbara Babington, an Edwardian-era actress, singer, and comedienne, shown in a glamorous theatrical portrait by Rotary Photo (no. 4033A). Babington is posed with a bright, engaging smile, dark curly hair, an elaborate feathered stage hat, and a richly decorated off-the-shoulder costume with beadwork and lace. The message on this card identifies her as “the lady who took the part of Principal Boy in ‘Cinderella,’” which is a wonderful period detail. In British pantomime, the “principal boy” was the young male hero of the story and was traditionally played by a young woman, especially in the Victorian and Edwardian stage tradition. Barbara Babington was a working British music-hall and musical-comedy performer and not a major star. Professionally, however, she is traceable across several decades: she was active by 1907, when she was noted as singing on the variety circuit at the Tivoli, London, and Hippodrome, Wakefield; in 1916 she was touring with Horace Goldin’s illusion show and was billed as a comedienne; and later she appeared in London productions including “Worm’s Eye View” and the original West End production of “Annie Get Your Gun”. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo, part of the Rotary Photographic Series. The company was a prolific London publisher of photographic postcards, especially theatrical and beauty subjects. The firm began publishing postcards as early as 1901; one postcard-reference directory notes that Rotary was producing platino-bromide postcards as early as 1901. This particular postcard is especially appealing because the reverse is completely filled with a lively handwritten message mentioning snow, tobogganing, shop/business life, records, and even a request for more gin to sell. SOLD

This vintage advertising fashion postcard promotes BeBe Sport, a brand known for its stylish and functional athletic wear. Measuring approximately 4.25 x 6 inches, the postcard features a striking image of a female model showcasing BB Sport’s apparel, embodying the brand’s commitment to combining fashion with athletic performance. On the reverse side, the postcard highlights BeBe Sport’s latest collection, emphasizing its innovative designs and high-quality materials tailored for active lifestyles. The promotional text underscores the brand’s dedication to empowering individuals through fashionable sportswear that doesn’t compromise on comfort or functionality. While the model’s identity isn’t specified on the postcard, her confident pose and athletic physique exemplify the brand’s target audience—modern, active individuals who value both style and performance in their sportswear. This specific postcard was to be used to celebrate the opening of the BeBe sport store in Barton Creek (Austin), Texas. (SOLD)