This rare vintage lithographic postcard captures vaudeville history as well as the restaurant and entertainment history of New York City. The postcard is an advertisement for the appearance of the Gardiner Trio at the venue of Churchill’s restaurant. The Gardiner trio was composed of Arline, Helen, and Edgar Gardiner. The three performers acted, danced and sang on the vaudeville stage. The trio even appeared on Broadway in the production of “Take it from Me” (1919). The New York Tribune reviewed the show. Here are a few excerpts from the review. The show was described as “mildly entertaining” and “a curious jumble of Burlesque, Vaudeville and Musical Comedy”. The production ran from 3/31/19 to 6/21/19 at the Central Theater. Now, a short description of Churchill’s Restaurant. The establishment blended restaurant service with live entertainment. It was located in Manhattan’s theater district. The restaurant was in Times Square and was founded by James “Big Jim” Churchill, a colorfull New York figure who had previously served about twenty years in the New York Police Department. He established Churchill’s in around 1909 or 1910. The restaurant/cabaret closed in around 1921. Prohibition was a large contributor to the restaurant’s demise. This postcard is in fair condition. The card has corner and edge wear and about four light creases can be seen on close examination. The fair condition does not detract from either the image of the trio or from the advertising copy on the front of the card (see scans). My research was unable to find any other examples of postcards advertising either Churchill’s or the Gardiner Trio. This postcard is an excellent illustration of both New York City and Vaudeville history.
This cabinet card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $24.85
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/336496805527
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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