THE CABINET CARD GALLERY

This striking real photo postcard captures a French soldier posing stoically beside a dramatic array of unexploded German aerial bombs, likely during or shortly after World War I. The photograph is a study in both scale and tension: the uniformed man, arms folded, cigarette nonchalantly tucked between his lips, stands shoulder to fin with three massive bombs—each labeled in white script with its weight: 100 kg, 50 kg, and 12 kg. I don’t think it was advisable to be smoking a cigarette near the explosive bombs, but what do I know?The caption below reads:”Bombes légères lancées par avions Allemands” (“Light bombs dropped by German airplanes”). The soldier wears the kepi and uniform of a French infantryman, marked with a unit number “62” on his hat and collar, and a military medal is pinned proudly to his chest. One source identifies the medals as being “The Croix de Guerre, the Bronze Star, the Bronze Laurel Branch. This soldier is highly decorated. His body language suggests a mixture of defiance and grim pride—likely meant to communicate France’s resilience in the face of aerial terror. The oversized bombs dominate the frame and serve as a powerful visual testament to the scale and threat of early 20th-century aerial warfare. One can imagine this postcard being distributed either as propaganda or as a souvenir.  (SOLD)

This is a crisp, bustling real photo postcard of downtown Hood River, Oregon, looking straight down the main business district with the hills of the Columbia River Gorge rising at the far end. The street is a parade of mid-century neon and projecting shop signs, angled parking, and late-’40s automobiles. Two men cross in front of a rounded sedan while other cars cruise past—great everyday life detail. This postcard has great signage. Visible signs include: SUPER CREAMED ICE CREAM; Bakery; FOSTER’S MEN’S WEAR;  REXALL DRUGS; HOTEL. Signs on the right side include: KEIR’S DRUGS – Toiletries; Eby’s FOOD STORE; GROCERY • MEATS (Hood River Market/Locker noted beneath); Apple Blossom CAFE; BOOKS • GIFTS; and farther down a projecting HOOD RIVER HOTEL sign. There’s also a US Route 30 highway shield mounted on the lamppost at right. The date that this postcard was published can be determined by the models of the automobiles seen in the image. the automobiles (rounded post-war bodies and bumpers) point to a publication date. Hood River was founded in the late 19th century on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. Hood River developed as an orchard and shipping hub (famous for apples, pears, and cherries) and later as the county seat of Hood River County. Its setting in the Columbia River Gorge made it a stop on US-30 / Historic Columbia River Highway. The publisher of this postard is Smith’s Scenic Views (Tacoma, Washington). Smith’s Scenic Views was a prolific Pacific Northwest maker/distributor of RPPC street scenes in the 1930s–1950s. (SOLD)

This charming real photo postcard captures a young woman proudly posing with her horse in a pastoral countryside setting, likely dating from the 1910s to early 1920s. The rider kneels beside her horse, affectionately holding the bridle while the mare (or gelding) stands squared and alert, one foreleg slightly lifted as if in motion. The scene conveys a wonderful spirit of rural leisure and early 20th-century equestrian enthusiasm. The woman wears a stylish wide-brimmed riding hat along with a crisp white blouse featuring subtle lace trim and puffed sleeves—a fashionable and feminine look of the Edwardian / early-post-Edwardian era. Her long skirt and riding boots suggest she was preparing for, or just returning from, a relaxed countryside ride. The horse is saddled and bridled, equipped with what appears to be an English riding saddle, hinting at the popularity of pleasure riding and genteel outdoor pursuits of the period. The photograph has an artistic cut-edge border, adding to its vintage charm and giving the image the feel of a personal keepsake rather than a mass-market postcard. The reverse features a VELOX stamp box, helping date the card to the 1907–1917 period, consistent with the fashion and photographic style. (SOLD)

This is a finely preserved cabinet card portrait of the burlesque / stage actress Lizzie Harold (Comley) in full theatrical costume, shot by The Sparks Photo-Publishing Co., Philadelphia. The card bears a clear inscription of her name on the back and the stamp of Russell Brothers, Boston. Russell Bros. was likely a theatrical photo retailer or distributor. In this portrait she wears an elaborately embroidered jacket, fringed bloomers, fitted tights, and a tasseled cap, posed against a dreamy studio backdrop evoking a misty rural scene. The costume is striking, with excellent detail in the braid, fringe, buttons, and fabric textures. The card is in very good condition, with strong contrast and little wear (see scans). Lizzie Harold was a late 19th-century singer/dancer / burlesque performer whose portraiture was circulated in theatrical photography formats and trading cards. While her documented biography is limited, her promotional portraits are known among collectors of theatrical ephemera. It is important to note that research reveals that she is sometimes referred to as Lizzie Harold Comley or Elizabeth Harrold-Comley. SOLD

This vintage real postcard features a fascinating portrait of “An Orthodox Jew Of Jerusalem”. The photographer of this portrait is Shlomo Narinsky and the card was published in 1921 by the Jamal Brothers (located in Jerusalem, Palestine).  The name “Palestine” is used because Israel was not established until 1948, long after this postcard was printed. There is both Hebrew and Arabic printed on the reverse of this card. This postcard portrait is included in the collection of the US Library of Congress. The card is from the “American Colony in Jerusalem Collection”. The photographer, Shlomo Narinsky (1885-1960), was born in Southern Russia (Ukraine). In 1904/1905, he studied photography in Paris and Berlin. He returned to Russia only briefly before immigrating to Palestine. He opened a photography studio in Jerusalem. He produced many postcards focusing on Palestine. He was known for his use of light and shadow in order to give his images a soft and romantic air. Shlomo’s wife, Sonja, was also a very talented and highly esteemed photographer. SOLD

The actress featured in this postcard is Barnhieri, a likely French performer from the early 20th century. While little documentation exists about her, she appears to be part of the Belle Époque entertainment scene, possibly a cabaret or stage actress. Many performers of this era were celebrated through postcards such as this one, which served as promotional materials and souvenirs for admirers. In this hand-colored real photo postcard, Barnhieri is elegantly dressed in a delicate, sequined gown with intricate detailing, likely a stage costume. Her gown has sheer, embroidered fabric adorned with sequins and beads, and it is enhanced with a subtle pink tint. She wears a large, decorative fabric flower in her dark, elaborately styled hair, which frames her face beautifully. Her expression is warm and inviting, with a soft smile that conveys charm and confidence. The photographer of this portrait is Leopold Reutlinger, a famous Parisian photography studio known for capturing actresses, dancers, and celebrities of the Belle Époque. The back of this postcard carries a short handwritten message in French: “Doux baisers, Anna et Piery” (“Sweet kisses, Anna and Piery”). The card is addressed to Mademoiselle Anna in the town of Migennes in the Yonne department of France. A French green 5-centime stamp is affixed in the top right corner, featuring an allegorical figure. The postmark is dated 1907, confirming that this postcard was sent during the height of the Belle Époque period. SOLD

This cabinet card features a pretty young costumed actress playing the role of a crusader. Notice her sheathed sword, plumed helmet, and high boots. An ebayer has written me to say that the actress in this photograph is French operetta singer and actress, Laurence Grivot (1843-1890). However, I have not been able to confirm that identification. This lovely photograph comes from a well respected studio in Boston, Massachusetts. The studio is Warren’s Portraits and it was located at 465 Washington Street. The photographer was George K. Warren. Warren’s Studios photographed many celebrities and notable people in Boston. SOLD

This rare color tinted vintage real photo postcard features French artiste and courtesan, Manon Loty. Her photograph is by Leopold Reutlinger and the postcard was published by SIP as part of a series (No.987). The undivided card was published circa 1902. Loty was quite the beauty. Although there is no shortage photo postcards featuring Manon Loty, this particular card is rare. Loty was a popular entertainer. She was often seen at Maxime’s, a Paris gathering spot for wealthy royals and industrialists. Men made arrangements with the Belle Epoque courtesans who gathered there. A 1910 article in Pearson’s magazine, mentions her as an example of a “mercenary woman” SOLD