THE CABINET CARD GALLERY

Offered here is a striking and historically rich late-19th-century lithographic postcard featuring the American opera singer Adrienne Osborne, a well-known soprano who enjoyed considerable popularity in Europe—particularly in German-speaking countries—during the 1890s. The image presents Osborne in profile, her hair swept back into a neat, classical bun, with soft lighting emphasizing her refined features and bare shoulders. The pose and photographic treatment are characteristic of continental studio portraiture of the 1890s, designed to convey elegance, poise, and artistic seriousness rather than theatrical flamboyance. It is an intimate and dignified likeness, very much in keeping with the way serious opera singers were marketed to educated European audiences at the time. Beneath the singer’s name appears the printed credit: “Nach Orig.-Aufn. v. Georg Brokesch.” This translates to “After the original photograph by Georg Brokesch.” In other words, this postcard image is not an original sitting, but a reproduction based on an earlier studio photograph taken by Georg Brokesch (1849-1896), a talented professional photographer whose work was frequently used by European publishers for celebrity portrait postcards. This was a common and accepted practice in the 1890s and does not diminish the card’s authenticity or period significance.The card was issued by Postkarten-Verlag Vogel, Leipzig, as indicated along the margin. Leipzig was one of the major European centers for postcard publishing at the turn of the century, especially for musical, theatrical, and operatic subjects. The printed number “118” identifies this image within the publisher’s series of celebrity postcards. In the upper right corner of the image appears the handwritten notation “6.11.97”. This date aligns closely with the German postmark on the reverse, strongly suggesting that the postcard was written and mailed in November 1897, during the height of Osborne’s European career. The handwritten message on the reverse is especially noteworthy for its insight into contemporary opera fandom. Transcribed below (original spelling and punctuation preserved as closely as possible): “Here is your promised card, I do not want it again as it will probably get so dirty going through the post. A.O. is my favourite opera singer, she is an American but speaks perfect German. She is much prettier than the others & far more graceful. With love in haste.” This is a remarkably personal and enthusiastic fan endorsement, praising Osborne not only for her voice, but for her appearance, grace, nationality, and linguistic ability—all qualities that mattered greatly to European opera audiences of the time. The comment that she “speaks perfect German” is particularly telling, underscoring how successfully Osborne integrated into the German operatic world, something relatively rare for American singers in the 1890s. The postcard was mailed from Germany, bearing a German Reich postage stamp, and addressed to London, England, highlighting the international circulation of opera culture and celebrity imagery at the end of the century. In regard to Miss Osborne. she was an American operatic soprano active in the 1890s, known especially for her performances in Germany and Central Europe. She was frequently described in period press accounts as both vocally accomplished and physically attractive, a combination that clearly resonated with audiences and collectors alike. While not a household name today, she was well known enough in her time to merit commercial postcard publication and devoted fan correspondence, as this example vividly demonstrates. This postcard is in very good antique condition for a postcard of this age. Expected age toning, light surface spotting, and mild edge wear are present. The image remains clear and well-defined, and the handwritten message is fully legible.  Overall, this is a well-preserved and visually appealing example of a circa-1897 European opera postcard (see scans).

This real photo postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $75.00 at auction.

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336406068273