This vintage real photo postcard features Mrs. Lewis Waller, otherwise known as Florence West (1858-1912). She was an English actress known for creating roles in new plays written by Oscar Wilde and Bernard Shaw. She frequently appeared on London’s West End stages with her husband, actor Lewis Waller. She married Waller in 1882 and made her stage debut in 1883. She retired in 1905. Five portraits of Florence West can be found in Great Britain’s National Portrait Gallery. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.217C). Miss West’s photograph was taken by the studio of Louis Saul Langfier. He was the husband of actress Pearl Lyndon. This postcard has a slight crease in its bottom right corner and is in overall good condition (see scans).
This vintage Postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $8.95 .
This vintage real photo postcard features pretty American stage and silent film actress and film producer, Fanny Ward (1872-1952). She was also the star of light comedies on Broadway. She began her career in the early 1890s, and appeared in over 100 films between 1895 and 1920. She was known for her roles in silent comedies and melodramas, and was considered one of the most popular actresses of her time. She played starring roles in “Madam President”, “The Shop Girl” and many others. Her screen debut was in Cecil B DeMille’s sexually charged, “The Cheat” (1915). Ward also produced several films, including the 1913 film “The Chink in the Armour,” which was directed by her then-husband, Frank Keenan. She retired from acting in 1920, but continued to work in the film industry as a producer until her death in 1952. In addition, after her retirement from the screen, she opened a beauty salon in Paris called “The Fountain of Youth”. The name of the salon is a bit ironic. Ward was known for her youthful appearance. It was not ununsual for her to play the parts of women one of two decades her junior. Ward held feminist beliefs which she wasn’t shy to talk about. In 1909, she told a reporter that her husband hated her work and then pointed out the hypocrisy of society’s support of men pursuing their interests (ie. art, sports, travel) but not supporting women who did the same. In addition, Ward worked as a film producer, a role not usually populated by women. Philco published this postcard as part of a series (No.3061C). The firm was located in London. Miss Ward was photographed by the Lafayette studio. James Lafayetter was the pseudonym of photographer James Stack Lauder (18853-1923). His Dublin, Ireland studio specialized in photographing members of high society. His photographs are part of the collections of many British museums, including the National Portrait Gallery. SOLD
Meet Uncle Dick. His name is inscribed on the reverse of the cabinet card. He appears to be middle aged and possess a sunny disposition. He is well dressed and has a nicely groomed mustache. Note the width of his tie. I find it interesting that the width of neck ties tend to vary as the years go by. This photograph was produced by the Adams studio in Waterloo, Iowa. It is difficult to ascertain the full name of the photographer. W. G. Adams worked in Waterloo in the 1880’s but I could not find any information about him. Asa W. Adams (1842-1915) operated a studio in McGregor, Iowa (1863), Decorah, Iowa (1863-1884). In 1866 he married Emma J. Fuller and the couple had four children. Adams conducted his photography business in Waterloo (1884-after 1900). Adams died in 1915 and is buried in Decorah. This cabinet card is in very good condition (see scans).
This Cabinet Card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $25.99
Pearl White (1889-1938) was an American actress of film and stage. She started her career on the stage at just 6 years old in the play, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. At thirteen years of age she was a bareback rider for a circus. She dropped out of high school to join a touring stage company. Next she worked as a singer in Cuba and South America. She made her appearances in dance halls and casinos. In 1910, her voice began to fail and she began to appear in silent films, including many popular serials. Her nickname was “Queen of the Serials’. She did the majority of her own stunts in these film serials. She is known well for her role in “The Perils of Pauline”. She was often cast in the role of an athletic heroine, rather than the more typical, innocent young woman. As a result of her appearances in “The Perils of Pauline”, she was soon earning $1,750 per week. She increased her star power as she appeared in other serials. In these films she flew airplanes, raced cars, and did other action hero feats. By 1919 White moved on to more dramatic roles. She appeared in ten drama films for Fox Film Corporation. She finished her career by taking roles in European films, and finally, appearing on the European stage. While performing in London, she earned three thousand dollars a week. At the time of her retirement (1924), White had banked two million dollars. She then began investing. Her investments included a hotel, a night club, and a stable of race horses. White was married twice, each time, for short duration to actors. White died of liver failure, possibly due to her history of heavy drinking. Her drinking may have been attributable to her problems with pain stemming from a spinal injury occurring during her stunt days. The IMDb site credits white with 228 film appearances between 1910 and 1924.
Postcard 1 was published by Cinemagazine (Paris Edition). The card is part of the “Les Vedettes de Cinema” (Stars of the Cinema) series (No.,55). White’s postcard photo portrait was taken by the celebrated photographer, Alfred Noyer. (SOLD)
Postcard 2 features White’s beauty. She is wearing a fur. Note her pretty head band. Although this card is the size of a standard postcard, there is no printing on it’s reverse. (SOLD)
Three young children pose together for a cabinet card portrait by the Columbia View & Button Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This photograph precipitates a number of questions. Was this photograph taken outdoors, or is this an in-studio portrait? Finally, why is the photographic studio called a “View & Button Company”? Lets attempt to answer the previous questions. First, it is not clear if this is an indoor, or outdoor photograph. The next 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. One wonders if the three children in this photograph are siblings. Their facial appearance is similar so it is likely the case that they are siblings. This cabinet card has corner wear and is in overall good condition (see scans).
This Cabinet Card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $48.00 at auction
This beautifully preserved cabinet card features a young girl with delicate facial features, gazing thoughtfully off to the side. Her soft, wavy curls frame her face, adding to her angelic and innocent appearance. Her expression is one of quiet contemplation, with wide eyes that suggest curiosity and perhaps a hint of shyness. She is dressed in a stylish Victorian outfit, consisting of a dark, long-sleeved dress adorned with a lace-trimmed collar that cascades over her shoulders. A ribbon is neatly tied at the front, adding a refined touch to her ensemble. On her head, she wears a plush velvet hat, slightly tilted, giving her a fashionable and well-dressed look indicative of the late 19th century. Her hands rest gently atop one another in a relaxed yet poised manner, further enhancing the timeless elegance of this portrait. The lighting and soft focus around the edges draw attention to the girl’s delicate features, making this a striking example of high-quality Victorian-era portrait photography. This cabinet card was produced by T.E. Daniels Jr., a photographer based in Provo, Utah. The back of the cabinet card contains an elegantly written inscription: “May Holliday”—likely the name of the young girl in the portrait. Additionally, there is a faint purple studio stamp from T.E. Daniels Jr., Photographer, Provo, Utah, along with a catalog number 3095. This image has excellent clarity. The contrast and fine details remain crisp, capturing the textures of the girl’s lace, her velvet hat, and even the soft waves of her hair.(SOLD)
This charming and visually captivating piece of vintage sheet music, “I’m Forever Thinking of You,” (1920) is a fine example of early 20th-century popular music publishing, brought to life through both its romantic theme and its striking cover art. The lyrics were written by Lillian Fitzgerald, a lyricist active during the era when sentimental ballads and parlor songs were at the height of their popularity. Fitzgerald’s work reflects the period’s fondness for tender, emotionally direct expressions of love and longing. The music was composed by Clarence Senna, a prolific composer associated with Tin Pan Alley traditions. Senna contributed to a wide range of popular songs during the early decades of the 20th century, often collaborating with lyricists like Fitzgerald to produce accessible, melodic pieces designed for mass appeal. His compositions are typically marked by smooth, lyrical phrasing and a strong sense of melody. What truly elevates this sheet music, however, is the extraordinary cover illustration by Rolf Armstrong, one of the most celebrated American illustrators of the early 20th century. Armstrong was renowned for his idealized portrayals of feminine beauty—often referred to as “American Beauties”—which appeared on magazine covers, advertisements, and sheet music. His work is characterized by luminous skin tones, expressive eyes, and a soft yet vibrant use of color, all of which are beautifully evident here. The smiling young woman, rendered with warmth and vitality, reflects Armstrong’s exceptional ability to combine glamour with approachability. His contributions helped define the visual culture of the Jazz Age and remain iconic in the field of illustration. This piece was published by the A.J. Stasny Music Company of New York, a significant player in the popular music industry during the early 1900s. Stasny was known for producing a wide array of songs that catered to mainstream tastes, and their publications often featured eye-catching covers like this one to attract buyers. An additional point of interest is found on the reverse, which features an advertisement titled “Songs That Reach Every Heart.” This promotional page offers insight into the publisher’s catalog and marketing approach, highlighting other sentimental favorites of the period. This sheet music measures about 9 1/4 x 12 1/8 inches and is in very good condition. I scanned every page so you can judge the condition for yourself (see scans).
This Sheet Music is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $9.95 or best offer.
This rare vintage real photo postcard features pretty performer, A. De Roy. She looks stunning in her beautiful dress. The card is risque due to her low cut dress. She is identified on the front of the card. De Roy was likely a music hall or cabaret performer. This postcard was published by S. Bluh (SBW) as part of a series (No.437). The firm was located in Vienna, Austria and was the only agent in Austria for postcard publisher Rotophot. The card has a Belgian stamp and was postmarked in 1902. SOLD
This press photo features Maria Rosaria Omaggio (1954–2024). She was an Italian actress, writer, and cultural figure whose career spanned film, television, and theater. Born in Rome, she gained recognition in the 1970s and went on to appear in a wide range of Italian and international productions, often noted for her elegance, intelligence, and strong screen presence. Beyond acting, Omaggio was also an accomplished author and a passionate advocate for cultural and humanitarian causes. She is perhaps best remembered for her portrayal of journalist Oriana Fallaci, a role that reflected both her dramatic depth and intellectual engagement. Over the course of her career, she remained a distinctive and respected presence in European cinema and the arts. The beauty of Omaggio is evident in this press photo. This image is from the television mini-series “La nouvelle malle des Indes” (1981). The black and white portrait-style image measures about 7 x 9 3/8 inches. The image is in excellent condition (see scans).
This Press Photo is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $24.00 or best offer.
This vintage real photo postcard features an attractive romantic couple riding a sled. The pair are dressed for winter. There is fake snow on the ground. This card was published by B.N.K. (Berlin-Neuroder Kunstanstalten) as part of a series (No.33272/6). The firm was located in Berlin, Germany. B.N.K. did it’s own printing and had four factories. During World War II, the company manufactured cardboard ammunition boxes. This postcard has a stamp from Denmark. In addition, there is also a 1910 Christmas Seal stamp on the card. Research reveals that the seal was issued for a charity dedicated to helping tuberculosis patients. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 