This is a striking and elegant Belle Époque hand tinted portrait postcard featuring the actress Brandes, photographed by the renowned Paris studio of Léopold-Émile Reutlinger. This beautifully composed image, issued as part of the S.I.P. (Société Industrielle de Photographie) series, bears the serial number 1187. The subject is presented in a classic Reutlinger studio style—softly lit, refined, and idealized—wearing an ornate lace bodice with delicate hand-applied tinting in pale blue and cream tones. A string of pearls and her carefully styled coiffure reinforce the fashionable aesthetic of the early 1900s. Reutlinger’s studio was widely known for producing high-quality portrait photographs of leading actresses, opera singers, and stage personalities, many of which were issued as collectible postcards during the height of the Belle Époque. The sitter is identified as Brandes, very likely Marthe Brandes (1862–1930), a French stage actress and comedienne active in Parisian theatre during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was a member of the Comedie-Francaise in 1896. She also played at the Theatre de la Renaissance. She often played the femme fatale. She appeared in works by notable playwrights such as Alexandre Dumas and Maurice Donnay. She was associated with the vibrant theatrical scene of Paris, frequently appearing in productions that blended drama and light comedy. As with many performers of the period, surviving biographical detail is somewhat limited, but her presence in Reutlinger’s catalog confirms that she had achieved a level of recognition sufficient to warrant commercial postcard distribution.The card is addressed to a gentleman in Carpentras, France. The postcard was postmarked in 1906. In regard to condition, the postcard is in overall good condition with strong visual appeal. The image retains excellent contrast and detail, and the hand-tinting remains attractive and well-preserved. There is light, even age toning to the card stock. The upper right corner shows the original stamp and postmark, with minor associated wear. Corners show mild wear consistent with age (see scans).
This vintage postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $14.00 at auction
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236787768354
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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