TWO WOMEN IN AN INTIMATE POSE : ONE WOMAN STRUMS HER GUITAR : BOTH WOMEN MAKE A FASCINATING FASHION STATEMENT

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This vintage real photo postcard has a number of interesting features. The women are posed on a fabric covered bench. They are dressed in noteworthy attire. One is wearing a nautical type outfit while the other is dressed in a kimono styled pant suit, or possibly pajamas. I wish I knew the story of these two women. What was the nature of their relationship? Sisters? Lovers? Due to the passage of time, the story has to be whatever we imagine it to be. This photograph was taken by the Foto Rembrandt studio in Bucharest, Romania. Viewing the photographers ink stamp on the reverse of the postcard, leads me to believe that the photographer was A. Maza. The stamp box indicates that the postcard was published by K Ltd sometime between 1918 and 1936. At least one postcard collector has posited that K Ltd may actually be the maker of the paper that the postcard is printed on.   SOLD

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Published in: on May 31, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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COLBY MOTOR COMPANY : ANTIQUE SPORTS CAR : MASON CITY, IOWA : RARE AUTO RPPC

This rare vintage real photo postcard features two men sitting in an antique convertible car manufactured by the Colby Motor Company. The firm was located in Mason City, Iowa. The company attempted to introduce the concept of sport cars to the American public. They designed an interesting automobile but failed in their attempt to reach American buyers. The company produced their first car in 1911. Their cars sold between 1400 and 1800 dollars. They offered seven different body designs. The car had a powerful 40 horsepower engine on a lightweight chassis. The “semi racing model” was built for sport, speed, and even racing. Not surprisingly, the company quickly got involved with automobile racing, known then as road racing. They hired Indianapolis driver Billy Pierce and Colby cars won several races in his Colby “Red Devil” racing car. It wasn’t long before Pierce was killed in a racing accident while driving that car. Due to financial shenanigans, the company went out of business after just three years. It is speculated that they made about one thousand cars. Today, there is only one known Colby in existence. It can be found at the Kinney Pioneer Museum in Mason City. Note what looks like prize ribbons on the left side of the image in front of the passenger. These ribbons may represent awards won by the Colby car in regard to racing or design. SOLD

Published in: on May 30, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRINCE JOACHIM VON PREUBEN : STORY OF A SAD SHORT LIFE

The young man looking sharp in his crisp military uniform is Prince Joachim Franz Humbert of Prussia (1890-1920). He was the sixth child of Wilhelm II, the German Emperor. His mother was Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein. In 1916, officials in Ireland gave thought to giving the throne to Prince Joachim with the idea that Ireland would be safer a German King if Germany were to win World War I. Prince Joachim was also considered as a possible candidate to the Georgian throne after its independence following the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Prince held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards. He held over thirty honors awarded by several nations. His awards included the Iron Cross from Germany. In 1916, Joachim married Princess Marie-Auguste of Anhalt (1898-1983). The couple had one son, Prince Karl Franz Josef Wilhelm Friedrich Eduard Paul (1916-1975). They may have had only one child, but they used enough first names to cover six more sons. I suppose that is a liberty reserved for royalty. Joachim became a commoner when his father abdicated the thrown. He became very depressed and committed suicide by gunshot in 1920. He was only 29 years old at the time of is death. It is believed that he had significant financial woes that added to his depression. Prior to his death, he divorced his wife, which likely led to further mood problems. This real photo postcard was published by “NPG” (Neue Photographische Gesellschaft) as part of a series (no.4954). The company was a leading bromide photo printing company for many years.  The photographer was Ernst Sandau (1880-1918). He was born in Sweden and died in Germany. Some believe that he may have been killed in World War I. Sandau operated a studio in Berlin, Germany and was active between 1912 and 1918. His son, Ernst Jr., was also a photographer. SOLD

Published in: on May 29, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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YOUNG MOTHER FEEDS HER BABY : BEAUTIFUL PORTRAIT : A GERBER MOMENT : SNAPSHOT

This vintage snapshot photograph features a young woman feeding her adorable baby. This image looks like an advertisement for Gerber Baby food. It certainly could be a “Gerber Moment”. In the photograph, mom looks intently at her baby as the baby eagerly awaits the next spoonful. The photo is printed on German photo paper (GHG-Technik Berlin). This photograph measures about 4 x 3 inches and is in very good condition (see scans).

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Buy this Vintage Snapshot (includes shipping within the US) #5204

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$20.00

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Buy this Vintage Snapshot (includes international shipping outside the US) #5204

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$30.00

Published in: on May 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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WELL DRESSED GENTLEMAN : S. S. HASWELL : SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS : CABINET CARD

This cabinet card portrait features a serious looking middle aged gentleman. He is well dressed. Notice the width of his tie. He has a well groomed mustache. The gentleman’s portrait was taken by photographer S. S. Haswell. He operated a studio in Salem, Massachusetts. Stephen Shaw Haswell (1851-1928). He was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. In 1895, he married Fannie Isabelle Pierce (1862-1947) This cabinet card photograph is in excellent condition (see scans). 

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Buy this Vintage Cabinet Card (includes shipping within the US) #5997

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$20.00

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Buy this Vintage Original Cabinet Card (includes shipping within the US) #5997

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$30.00

Published in: on May 27, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN : UNCLE JACK’S SISTER : VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH (1922)

This vintage photograph features a pretty woman wearing a simple dress. She is identified in the inscription on the photo’s reverse. She is Uncle Jack’s sister. This photograph was “found” in Hawley, Pennsylvania. A date stamped on the reverse, reveals that the photograph was taken in 1922. The image is mounted on a thick cardboard paper stock. The mounting is thicker than a typical cabinet card. The photograph measures 3 x 5 inches. This one hundred year-old photograph is in good condition (see scans). SOLD

Published in: on May 25, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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SHOSHONA SHAMIR : WIFE OF FORMER ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER : PRESS PHOTO (1984)

This vintage press photo features Shoshona Shamir, wife of the former Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Shamir (1915-2012). Yitzhak Shamir served two terms as Prime Minister (1983-1984, 1986-1992).This press photo was taken by photographer, Paul Conklin for Camera Press (London, England). The photo was taken in 1984. The photograph measures abour 4 3/4 x 6 3/8 inches. On the reverse of the photo is an ink stamp from Camera Press. SOLD

Published in: on May 24, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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SANDPOINT, IDAHO :STREET SCENE : MOBIL GAS SIGN : PEGASUS : OLD POSTCARD (1956)

This vintage lithographic postcard features a street scene (First Avenue) in Sandpoint, Idaho. Note the old cars, parking meters, and mountains in the background. The street scene includes a number of signs advertising a grocery, a camera store/studio, hotel, cafe, and a big man store. The most “cool sign” is the Mobil Gas sign with the Pegasus logo. The caption on the reverse of the card states that the street is situated near the beach and marina on Lake Pend Oreille. The town was associated with forest products, agriculture and the tourist trade. At the time of the publication of this postcard, Sandpoint had a population of about five thousand. This postcard was published by The Ross Hall Studio, located in Sandpoint. The card was postmarked in 1956. SOLD

Published in: on May 23, 2024 at 8:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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LILY LANGTRY: BEAUTIFUL, SCANDALOUS, FASCINATING AND HIGH SOCIETY THEATRE ACTRESS

This cabinet card features British actress, Lillie Langtry (1853-1929). She was born on the island of Jersey, was known as the “Jersey Lily”,  and was known for her beauty. She had many prominent lovers including the future King of England, Edward VII. At 20 years of age she married a wealthy Irish landowner, Edward Langtry and quickly became part of London’s high society. Due to her great beauty, she became a sought after model for a number of well known portrait painters. Beginning 1877, she had a three year affair with the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward. At the suggestion of close friend, Oscar Wilde, she began a stage career. She made her debut in “She Stoops to Conquer” (1881) at the Haymarket Theatre in London. She then embarked on the first of many United States theatre tours where she was a resounding success. She continued to have a number of affairs including a relationship with New York City millionaire, Frederic Gebhard with whom she became very involved in the sport of thoroughbred horse racing. In 1897 she became an American citizen. She is known as one of the early celebrities to make money endorsing commercial products. Among the products she advertised were cosmetics and soap.   The photographer of this cabinet card is famed celebrity photographer, Mora, of New York City. The image was copyrighted in 1884. To see other images by Mora, click on this site’s category of “Photographer: Mora”.  SOLD

Published in: on May 21, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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TRADE CARD ADVERTISING : J & P COATS THREADS : BLACK CHILD : CROWS : WE NEVER FADE

This vintage trade card advertises a major fine-thread company. Their product was effective in holding their color in the wash. In the advertising copy seen on the reverse of the card, the company insults users of their competitor’s product. The copy states “Intelligent people do not wash their clothes in acid baths”. This originally Scottish firm was established by a weaver named James Coats (1774-1857) and his brother, Patrick. The company specialized in making cotton yarns. Later, he added silk yarn to the company’s products. James Coats retired in 1830 and was succeeded by his four sons. The company began to expand their market by selling internationally. In 1866, the firm opened a mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island where they produced a variety of threads. In the 1880’s J & P Coats opened more mills in the United States and their trade cards became popular. During the twentieth century, the company continued to expand around the world via acquisitions and mergers. Interestingly, embroidery threads are still being produced under the trade name of J & P Coats. It is important to note that this trade card’s advertising copy is unacceptably racist. The heading in front of the card states “We Never Fade”. Below this caption are pictures of a couple of black birds (crows?) as well as a picture of a black child. Obviously, the message is that the company’s black thread holds it’s color just as much as a black bird or a black child hold their own color. Understandably, such racist advertising would not pass muster today.  SOLD

Published in: on May 20, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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