This beautiful antique postcard features French opera singer Jane Boïé, shown in a soft-focus studio portrait typical of early 20th century theatrical photography. Her name appears printed at the bottom of the card, and the word “Opéra” appears in the upper right corner, indicating that she was an opera performer rather than a stage actress or music hall performer. This designation was commonly used on European theatrical postcards to identify performers associated with opera companies or operatic roles. The postcard was published by Künzli Frères, Paris, a well-known French postcard publisher active in the early 1900s and particularly noted for producing high-quality theatrical and celebrity postcards of opera singers, actresses, and performers. The company was one of the largest pioneer postcard publishing houses. The company was established in 1874. It had offices in Zurich and Paris. Beginning 1898, it became known for publishing postcard maps throughout Europe. Miss Boie’s photograph was taken by the esteemed Reutlinger studio in Paris. Jane Boïé was a French opera singer (soprano) active in the early 20th century, particularly in the period around 1900–1915. She performed in opera and operetta and appeared in a number of productions in France and possibly Belgium. Singers like Boïé were frequently photographed and issued as postcards because opera singers were major celebrities of the era, much like film stars a few decades later. The translated handwritten message on the front of the postcard is in French and reads: “In every lover there is a poet. Love is pure poetry.” — Alfred de Vigny. Alfred de Vigny was a famous 19th-century French poet and writer, and this romantic quotation was likely chosen to accompany the portrait image. The postcard bears two 5 centimes French stamps and a postmark, indicating it was mailed. The postcard is in good antique condition. The front shows some minor corner wear consistent with age. There is writing and postal markings on the front along with two attached stamps. The image remains clear and attractive with good contrast. The reverse shows writing and normal age toning. Overall, a very presentable example of an early theatrical opera postcard. See Scans.
This vintage postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $14.00 or best offer.
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236722638050
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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