Postcard collectors sometimes encounter photo postcards that heighten curiosity but defy explanation. This vintage real photo postcard is a perfect example of such a card. The image is comprised of five pretty young women wearing unusual hats. Perhaps I should say “bizarre” rather than “unusual”. I believe their hats are made of paper, although they are designed to look like feathers. Two of the hats have a design that includes a crescent moon. If I was asked to judge this photo, I would give the “Creativity Award” to the woman wearing paper earrings. Why are the women wearing these hats. Perhaps they are performers in a show? Another theory is that they may be dressed for a party or for a carnival. What’s your guess? The studio that took this photograph was named “La Photo Mecanique” (The Mechanical Photo). I believe, with great uncertainty, that the studio was located in St. Martin, France. It is also my belief that this postcard was published between 1913 and 1929, given that it has a Crown Studio stamp box. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
How interesting
The studio La Photo Mécanique was located in Paris and had few addresses.
Description of “La Photo Mécanique”, published in
[ref.: ’André Breton, la beauté convulsive’, Ed. Centre Pompidou, 1991]
We can read in Denis Demonpion, ’Arletty’ (Flammarion, 1996):
Une de leurs joies consiste à aller se faire tirer le portrait à La Photo Mécanique, 43, boulevard Saint-Martin ou 81, faubourg du Temple, dans des décors en trompe l’œil champêtres et romantiques.
“One of their joys is to go get their portraits at La Photo Mécanique, 43, boulevard Saint-Martin or 81, Faubourg du Temple, in trompe l’oeil country and romantic settings.”
Thank you so much for the reference. I am certain “La Photo Mecanique” has a very interesting history.
This is correct. “La Photo Mécanique” was located in Paris. The five addresses printed on the the back of the photo are all in Paris.