This is an original early-20th-century French theatrical portrait postcard depicting the actress (1871-1941) , shown in an elegant studio portrait wearing a wide-brimmed hat adorned with feathers and a strapless, beaded stage costume. The image has been tastefully hand-colored, with delicate pink tones applied to the cheeks, bodice, and floral elements—an enhancement commonly used on Parisian actress postcards of the Belle Époque. The caption beneath the image reads “DIETERLE (Bouffes-Parisiens)”. The name in parentheses refers to the theatre with which the actress was professionally associated at the time the postcard was issued. The Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens, founded by Jacques Offenbach, was one of Paris’s most important venues for operetta and light musical theatre. Dieterle was a French stage actress and singer active during the Belle Époque, a period marked by the flourishing of operetta, musical comedy, and boulevard theatre in Paris. She is best documented through her appearances in theatrical portrait photography and commercial postcard series, a primary means by which actresses of this era achieved public visibility. Born in Strasbourg, France, Amélie Diéterle rose to prominence as an actress and singer, becoming a central figure in Parisian theater. Her performances at the Théâtre des Variétés and collaborations with notable composers and playwrights solidified her reputation. Beyond the stage, she inspired renowned artists such as Auguste Renoir and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who immortalized her in their works. Diéterle’s influence extended into the realm of early cinema, with appearances in several silent films during the 1900s and 1910s. The photograph seen on this postcard was taken by Manuel, a prominent Parisian studio photographer active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Manuel specialized in theatrical portraiture, producing formal studio images of actresses, singers, and stage performers for publicity and commercial use. His portraits are noted for their careful studio lighting, soft tonal modeling, and emphasis on costume and theatrical presentation. The imprint “ND Photo” in the lower right corner identifies the publisher as Neurdein Frères, one of the most important French photographic publishing firms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This postcard is part of Neurdein’s numbered actress series (No. 32). The postcard is a divided-back French card, postmarked in 1907. This postcard is in good antique condition. The card has a crease in it’s top right corner and mild corner wear. The hand-coloring remains attractive and stable (see scans).
This cabinet card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $12.00 or best offer..
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/336416290999
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
Leave a comment