This striking Edwardian theatrical postcard features Miss Lina Verdi, a British music-hall performer, posed in a playful and slightly risqué studio portrait. She reclines in a folding chair with her arms raised behind her head, wearing a light, frilled theatrical dress, striped stockings, and pointed stage shoes. Her long loose hair, dreamy expression, and relaxed pose give the card a strong Belle Époque / Edwardian stage-glamour quality. This is exactly the sort of image that made early actress and music-hall postcards so popular with collectors. The lower margin identifies the publisher as Rotary Photo (no.1891A).The National Portrait Gallery identifies the company as active from 1897 to 1916 and the firm was associated with many theatrical and celebrity portraits. Lina Verdi is not as fully documented today as the major Edwardian stars, but she was a real music-hall and variety performer. Contemporary newspaper references describe Miss Lina Verdi as a “dainty singer and graceful dancer” and note her success as Dandini in Cinderella at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle. Another theatrical postcard dealer identifies her more simply as a “mimic and dancer.” Another reference describes “Little Lina Verdi” delighting audiences with her imitations, suggesting that she may have begun as a youthful mimic or child performer before becoming a music-hall artist. The back of the card is postally used. The card bears a green Great Britain King Edward VII halfpenny stamp, the standard domestic postcard rate stamp of the period. The postmark appears to be Maidenhead. The date is obscured, but the card appears to be from about 1905, which is also supported by the postcard format. The writer of of the postcard states in his/her message that they are bringing a book to the postcard’s recipient. The book is “Rupert of Hentzau”. Research reveals that the book, published in 1898, is an adventure novel by Anthony Hope and is a sequel to “The Prisoner of Zenda”. This postcard is in good antique condition overall, with a strong and attractive image. The front shows corner wear and a crease in it’s lower left corner. The reverse shows an inked message and a postmark (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/336595255875
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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