THE CABINET CARD GALLERY

Mary Pickford (1892-1979) was a Canadian-American actress and one of the most influential figures in early Hollywood. She was often referred to as “America’s Sweetheart”. She was a pioneer of silent film and a co-founder of the film industry as we know it today. Pickford’s career began in childhood when she performed in theater productions in Canada and the United States. By the early 1900s, she transitioned to film, working with director D.W. Griffith at Biograph Studios. Her delicate beauty and expressive acting quickly made her a fan favorite, setting her apart in an era when exaggerated stage-style performances dominated silent films. During the 1910s and 1920s, Pickford became one of the highest-paid and most beloved actresses in the world. Starring in films such as Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917), Daddy-Long-Legs (1919), and Pollyanna (1920), she was known for playing wholesome, spirited young women. Her curly hair and signature on-screen innocence became iconic, but she was also a savvy businesswoman who understood the power of her brand. Pickford was not only a star but also a trailblazer in the film industry. In 1919, she co-founded United Artists alongside Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks (her then-husband), and director D.W. Griffith. This revolutionary move allowed filmmakers to control their own productions rather than rely on major studios, changing the industry forever. As the film industry transitioned to “talkies,” Pickford retired from acting in the early 1930s, though she continued to produce films. Her contributions earned her an honorary Academy Award in 1976 for her lasting impact on cinema. Mary Pickford’s influence extends beyond her films. She helped shape the star system, paved the way for women in Hollywood, and co-founded the Motion Picture Relief Fund to support struggling actors. She remains an enduring symbol of early Hollywood glamour and innovation. Mary Pickford was born into a working-class family in Toronto, Canada. Her father, John Charles Smith, was an alcoholic who struggled to provide for the family and died from a workplace accident when Mary was just six years old. Her mother, Charlotte Hennessey Smith, was left to raise Mary and her two younger siblings, Lottie and Jack, on her own. To support the family, Charlotte encouraged her children to enter acting, and Mary began performing in theater at a young age. She soon became the family’s primary breadwinner, and her siblings, Lottie Pickford and Jack Pickford, also pursued film careers. Pickford transitioned from theater to film in the early 1900s, quickly rising to fame with her expressive acting and wholesome on-screen persona. By the 1910s and 1920s, she was one of the most recognizable stars in the world, earning the nickname “Queen of the Movies.” She also helped establish the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Mary Pickford was married three times. Pickford’s first marriage was to silent film actor Owen Moore (1911-1920). Her second and most famous marriage was to fellow silent film actor, Douglas Fairbanks (1920-1936). Her third marriage was to actor Charles “Buddy” Rogers (1937-1979). After retiring from acting in the early 1930s, Pickford focused on producing films and philanthropy. She became more reclusive in her later years, struggling with alcoholism and health issues. Today, she is remembered as a pioneering force in cinema history. This vintage early 20th-century real photograph postcard depicting Mary Pickford, was issued by Rotary Photo, E.C., and bears the serial number 11873A. Rotary Photo was a major British publisher of celebrity and theatrical postcards, known for producing high-quality real photograph cards from studio portraits of prominent stage and film performers. The image presents Pickford in a soft, intimate studio portrait, shown from the shoulders up, wearing a sheer, gauzy costume that frames her face and neckline. Her hair is styled in loose curls, arranged simply rather than theatrically, reinforcing the youthful quality of the image. Her expression is calm and introspective, with a direct, slightly wistful gaze that emphasizes her delicacy and screen presence. In this portrait, Pickford appears quite young, consistent with her image during the late 1910s, when she was already famous but still closely associated with youthful roles. This exact portrait is held by the National Portrait Gallery, London, which dates the photograph to circa 1918, providing a solid institutional reference point for dating. The card was printed in Britain and is clearly identified on the reverse as a real photograph. The postcard is in very good antique condition overall. The image retains strong tonal quality with good clarity and contrast. Corners only show light wear and there are no creases, tears, or losses. The reverse is clean. Overall, the card presents very well and remains highly displayable {See Scans).

This cabinet card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $18.00 at auction.

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236599444322