THE CABINET CARD GALLERY

This dramatic vintage real photo postcard shows Auguste van Biene, printed on the card as “Van Bienne — The Actor Musician.” The spelling on the postcard appears to add an extra “n,” but the performer is best known historically as Auguste van Biene, the Dutch-born cellist, composer, actor, and theatrical personality. Van Biene was both an accomplished musician and stage actor. Van Biene was born in Rotterdam in 1849, and died in Brighton, England in 1913. He studied cello, moved to London as a young man, and was discovered by conductor Sir Michael Costa, who engaged him for the Covent Garden orchestra. He later became principal cellist, worked with Richard D’Oyly Carte’s opera company, and became known as a theatrical manager, conductor, composer, actor, and touring stage attraction. His great success was The Broken Melody, a musical play for which he composed the famous cello melody and in which he starred as a musician. He toured widely with the work, and his reputation became so closely tied to the cello that he was sometimes described as the “Magician of the Cello.” His death was famously theatrical: van Biene died while performing on stage at the Brighton Hippodrome in 1913, reportedly while playing the cello in The Master Musician, with his son conducting the orchestra. He was buried at Golders Green Jewish Cemetery in London. This portrait itself is wonderfully intense. Van Biene is shown close-up, with his hand raised to his temple and a penetrating, thoughtful expression. The pose is almost psychological in its effect, presenting him not simply as a musician but as a brooding theatrical figure. The postcard was issued from a Nottingham photographic source/publisher. The postcard was likely published circa 1910. The postcard’s condition is good overall, with a powerful, high-contrast image. The borders show corner and edge wear. The reverse is unused, with general toning and corner wear including a darker worn area at the upper right corner. Overall, the card remains very displayable, with the dramatic portrait presenting strongly (see scans).

This vintage Postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $16.00 or best offer.

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336596356885

This postcard features a close-up portrait of British stage and film actress, Miss Ethel Oliver. She is wearing a costume from one of her performances. Little information is readily available about Miss Oliver. She is listed as being a chorus member in the play at the Gaiety Theater, “The Orchid” (1903), In 1917, Oliver starred in the musical comedy “Pomponette at the Newcastle upon Tyne Theatre Royal. The IMDb reports that she acted in two films; “The Return” (1921) and “A Soul’s Awakening” (1922). Oliver was also a dancer. She was a sitter for twelve portraits in Britain’s National Portrait Gallery. The card was issued by Rapid Photo Co. (no.3387) in its “New Process – Silverprint Series”, a glossy, high-quality photographic line printed in England during the Edwardian era (circa 1905-1910 for this view). This card has been posted and has a 1908 postmark. In regard to condition, the card is very nice for its age. The card has rich tonal range and sharp detail. There is only minor corner wear (see scans). 

This vintage Postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $16.00 or best offer.

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236833241846

This vintage real photo postcard features Belle Epoque French Opera Soprano, Marie Thierry (1875-1918). She is elegantly dressed and holding a pretty fan. She made her debut at the Monnaie Bruxelles in 1900. Her Paris debut was at the L’Opera-Comique. She is known for her roles in “Miss Pinson” (1910), “Le Cheval Pie” (1911), and “La Bonne Hotesse” (1917). Mlle Thierry’s postcard portrait is from the studio of Leopold Reutlinger (Paris). The card was published as part of a series. SOLD

This vintage real photo postcard features a very beautiful British stage actress named Olive Morrell. She was a successful enough actress to merit having six portraits of her included in the United Kingdom’s National Portrait Gallery. She performed in England and toured in Australia. She was  born as Olive Miller; Morrell was her stage name. In 1908, she married Willie Kelly (1877-1960), an Australian politician. The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (1905) highlights her career including her role in “The Spring Chicken” at the Gaiety Theatre. In researching the play, I was struck by the number of well known actresses appearing alongside her. The cast included Kitty Mason, Kate Cutler, Gaynor Rowlands, Ethel Oliver, and Gertie Millar. This was certainly an all star lineup and any collector of theatrical postcards will be familiar with these actresses. Collectors will also note that these women were  quite pretty and their postcard images were, and still are, very collectible. Miss Morrell is also the subject of an article in The Play Pictorial (1905) which mentions her appearance in a theatre production called “The Talk of the Town”. This postcard was produced by Rotary Photo as part of the Rotary Photographic Series (no. 1847 J). It is truly a special portrait of Miss Morrell. After viewing many postcard images of this actress; I believe this portrait is one of the finest portraits of Olive Morrell that a postcard collector can find. This photograph captures her beauty as well as provides a close look at fashion during the turn of the century. This postcard is in fair condition. There is some soiling and wear in the corners and edges. The image itself is sharp with excellent contrast and detail. The image itself is virtually unscathed. This postcard is priced in line with it’s condition. See Scans. 

This vintage Postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $12.00 or best offer.

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336598453154

This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty young woman. This bright eyed woman appears to be in her teenage years. A message on the reverse of the postcard is roughly edited and translated as 
“Dear Maria! Why didn’t you come to the fair? Didn’t you think it was worth the effort? You were really missed at the fair. How is it with you? Everything is still the same. Hopefully, you will be as healthy and happy as you are. With many warm greetings to you, I remain until we see each other again, yours, Christine.” The letter is addressed to Maria Jochemich Lüdensdorf. This postcard was published by rotophot. The card has a 1912 postmark. SOLD 

This striking Edwardian theatrical postcard features Miss Lina Verdi, a British music-hall performer, posed in a playful and slightly risqué studio portrait. She reclines in a folding chair with her arms raised behind her head, wearing a light, frilled theatrical dress, striped stockings, and pointed stage shoes. Her long loose hair, dreamy expression, and relaxed pose give the card a strong Belle Époque / Edwardian stage-glamour quality. This is exactly the sort of image that made early actress and music-hall postcards so popular with collectors. The lower margin identifies the publisher as Rotary Photo (no.1891A).The National Portrait Gallery identifies the company as active from 1897 to 1916 and the firm was associated with many theatrical and celebrity portraits. Lina Verdi is not as fully documented today as the major Edwardian stars, but she was a real music-hall and variety performer. Contemporary newspaper references describe Miss Lina Verdi as a “dainty singer and graceful dancer” and note her success as Dandini in Cinderella at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle. Another theatrical postcard dealer identifies her more simply as a “mimic and dancer.” Another reference describes “Little Lina Verdi” delighting audiences with her imitations, suggesting that she may have begun as a youthful mimic or child performer before becoming a music-hall artist. The back of the card is postally used. The card bears a green Great Britain King Edward VII halfpenny stamp, the standard domestic postcard rate stamp of the period. The postmark appears to be Maidenhead. The date is obscured, but the card appears to be from about 1905, which is also supported by the postcard format. The writer of of the postcard states in his/her message that they are bringing a book to the postcard’s recipient. The book is “Rupert of Hentzau”. Research reveals that the book, published in 1898, is an adventure novel by Anthony Hope and is a sequel to “The Prisoner of Zenda”.  SOLD

This striking Edwardian real photo postcard captures the celebrated Dare sisters, 
Phyllis Dare and Zena Dare, posed in an elegant and carefully composed studio portrait. The sisters are dressed in beautiful winter clothing. Both are wearing furs. Note their fur hats. Both women gaze directly toward the camera with happy smiles and both convey the composed self-assurance expected of leading theatrical personalities of their era. The Dare sisters were among the best-known stage performers of the Edwardian musical comedy era in England. Born into a theatrical family, the sisters rose to fame while still quite young and became closely associated with the glittering world of London’s West End theatre during the early 1900s. Zena, the elder sister, achieved considerable success first and was admired for her beauty, elegance, and accomplished performances in musical comedies produced by impresarios such as George Edwardes. Phyllis followed in her sister’s footsteps and quickly became an even greater sensation, charming audiences with her youthful energy, lively personality, and fashionable stage presence. Both women frequently appeared in lavish productions that blended comedy, music, and elaborate costumes, helping define the theatrical style of the Edwardian period. Their fame extended well beyond the stage, and their portraits appeared widely on postcards, in magazines, and in theatrical advertising, making them recognizable celebrities of their day. Offstage, the sisters were often written about in the popular press, where their glamour and social lives attracted public fascination. Although tastes in entertainment changed after the First World War, both Zena and Phyllis Dare remain remembered as iconic figures of Britain’s golden age of musical theatre. This postcard was published by Rapid Photo (no.2903). The sisters photo was taken by the Bassano studio (UK). This postcard was postmarked in 1906.  SOLD

This original sepia-toned photograph captures the Hart Mirror Plate Company basketball team of Grand Rapids, Michigan, during the 1922–1923 season. The image shows six proud players posing in a studio setting, each wearing sleeveless jerseys bearing the bold heart-shaped “HMP Co” insignia — the distinctive logo of the company that sponsored their team. The player at center holds a basketball inscribed “1922–3,” documenting the season. Founded in 1899 by Joseph S. Hart, the Hart Mirror Plate Company (HMPC) became one of Grand Rapids’ leading manufacturers of mirrors and display glass. The firm contributed to the city’s reputation as “Furniture City,” producing the glass used in fine furniture and architectural interiors throughout the Midwest. The company remained a local mainstay until it was sold in 1962, closing a chapter in Michigan’s proud industrial history. Company-sponsored athletic teams such as this one reflected the social fabric of early 20th-century American life, when factory floors and basketball courts often shared the same workforce. Sports leagues helped foster company pride, teamwork, and morale in an era before large professional leagues dominated the national scene. This photograph also connects to the broader story of Michigan basketball heritage. Seven decades after this image was taken, the state would celebrate the rise of the “Fab Five” at Michigan State University — the celebrated  team remembered for its unity, talent, and pioneering style. The Hart Mirror Plate Company team stands as an early example of that same competitive Midwestern spirit that helped shape the state’s basketball identity.  (SOLD)