THE CABINET CARD GALLERY

This rare vintage French postcard features A. R. Spittler, the director of the Grand Cirque Helvetia (The Great Swiss Circus(, in a formal portrait with two of his performing dogs. Seated in a studio chair, Spittler wears a dark three-piece suit and gazes directly at the camera with a composed, confident expression. At his side sits a large, muscular dog—likely a mastiff-type—while another dog, with a wiry coat and long muzzle, reclines at his feet. The image exudes a quiet dignity, reflecting both the man’s role as circus director and the close bond between trainer and animals. The upper right of the card is printed with: “Grand Cirque Helvetia – A. R. Spittler, Directeur”. The reverse side is a standard French divided back. The card is unused and unposted. Historical records indicate that A. R. Spittler was an early 20th-century circus impresario, active around 1910. He operated under the banner “Nouveau Cirque Helvetia”, touring parts of eastern France with a two-mast big top tent of approximately 40 meters in diameter. Known for his animal acts and refined presentation style, Spittler’s productions combined traditional circus spectacle with a focus on quality performance and visual appeal. Postcards like this one served as promotional souvenirs for attendees.  (SOLD)

This cabinet card features a formal portrait of three individuals—two women and a boy—accompanied by a dog. The setting appears to be a professional photography studio, with a painted backdrop and a patterned floor covering. The young boy is dressed in a Western-style outfit, wearing a light-colored jacket, knee-length pants, tall socks, and a newsboy-style cap. His expression is neutral, and he holds his hands in front of him in a composed stance. The standing woman in the center wears a dark kimono with a traditional obi sash. Her hair is styled in an elegant updo, characteristic of the late Meiji or early Taisho period. She maintains a composed yet confident expression, resting one hand gently on the seated woman’s shoulder. The seated woman on the right wears a lighter-colored kimono with a darker obi. She has a calm expression and a poised posture, with her hands delicately resting in her lap. The dog, sitting in front of the group, is a medium-sized breed with a short coat. Its head is slightly tilted, giving it an endearing expression. The reverse side has handwritten Japanese inscriptions, adding to its historical interest. This cabinet card likely dates to the late Meiji period (circa 1895–1912) or early Taisho period (1912–1926), based on clothing style and photograph format. (SOLD)

This item is a charming and visually striking cabinet card photograph of a young boy dressed in a sailor suit, posed at the helm of a ship’s wheel against a painted maritime backdrop. The child stands confidently as if steering a vessel, a popular and highly collectible studio theme of the late 19th century that reflected America’s fascination with naval power and seafaring life. This image was produced by Charles McMillan (Solano Art Studio). McMillan was one of the leading photographers in Vallejo, California, during the cabinet card era. Born in Canada in 1853, he began his career in Chicago before relocating to California in 1879. He eventually settled in Vallejo, where he established a successful studio. Vallejo itself holds a significant place in California history. Located in Solano County in Northern California, just northeast of San Francisco, Vallejo was an important naval and transportation hub during the late 19th century. It had earlier served briefly as the state capital in the 1850s and later became closely tied to maritime activity. The nautical theme of this photograph is therefore particularly fitting for Vallejo, reinforcing the connection between the studio setting and the maritime culture of the area. The boy’s sailor outfit—complete with cap, lanyard, and dark uniform—combined with the ship’s wheel prop and painted ocean backdrop, creates a wonderfully evocative and timeless image. The inclusion of a fur rug beneath his feet, a common studio prop of the period, adds an interesting and incongruous contrast to the otherwise maritime illusion. The cabinet card is in very good antique condition. The photograph remains strong with good contrast and pleasing sepia tones. There is minor corner wear. The mount is clean and the reverse is blank. See Scans.

This vintage cabinet card photograph is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $75.00 at auction.

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336530724371

This vintage real photo postcard features German film actress and singer, Marion Michael (11940-2007). She is best known for her role in the film “Liane, Jungle Goddess” (1956). In that film, Marion became the second German actress to appear nude in a movie. It is reported that there were 12,000 actresses that competed for that role. Sadly, she was just 15 when the movie was filmed. She appeared topless in the film. Her nudity was not meant to be erotic. She was touted as Germany’s Brigitte Bardot. The movie, shot in Africa, was very popular at the box office. During the next 6 years, none of her 10 films were successful. Michael was injured in a car accident during her acting career. She returned to acting but stopped in 1965. From there on, she infrequently acted in television and film. The last film (television) she appeared in was a musical about her life. It was entitled “Liane” (1996). After retiring from acting, she worked as a sales woman. Her filmography reported by IMDb, credits her with 19 film and television appearances. Although she was not extremely successful as an actress, she was still considered a film icon in Germany. This vintage postcard was published circa 1956-1959. Michael’s photograph is attributed to Stempka/Arca Film. The card was published by UFA, a German film and television production company. This vintage real photo postcard has minor corner wear and is in overall very good condition. 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/236751130681

This rare and visually rich real photo postcard (RPPC) offers a crisp and detailed streetscape view of Cheboygan, Michigan, likely photographed in the late 1920s to early 1930s, based on the style of the automobiles parked along the brick-paved main street. The photo captures a classic American downtown, with storefronts, signage, and vintage vehicles creating a vivid snapshot of small-town life between the World Wars. Electric streetlight wires crisscross above the street, adding charm and historical character. On the left side of the street, visible businesses include: Levine & Co. – offering “Ladies & Gents Furnishings” and Furniture, Briscott & Johnson Shoes – M.L. Elvey,  Pontiac Auto Sales – under a hanging Oakland Pontiac sign, J. Post Hardware, and a Used Parts for Cars and Auto Wrecking garage. On the right side one can see signs for: Michelin Auto Sales, Hudson and Essex Sales & Service, and a prominent brick building, likely the U.S. Post Office, flying an American flag.  Also visible farther back are: J. Post Hardware Co., Rapin-Hirsh Clothing Company, and a Drug Store, barely visible beneath an awning. This view features a bustling commercial corridor, showcasing American small-town commerce in a transitional era when automobiles were beginning to dominate main streets across the country.  Cheboygan is a small city in northern Michigan, located at the mouth of the Cheboygan River where it empties into Lake Huron. It sits just southeast of Mackinaw City, making it part of the gateway region to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Historically, Cheboygan was a center of the lumber trade and later developed a strong tourism and boating culture due to its proximity to the Great Lakes.  This postcard measures about 5 x 3 inches, The bottom-right corner appears slightly trimmed, possibly by a prior owner—either to fit an album slot, remove damage, or for display. While it’s unclear why, it does not significantly detract from the image or display value (see scans). This postcard qualifies as rare. I could not find an identical one using any of my multiple resources.

This vintage postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $35.00 or best offer

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236235640801