CARMEL MYERS : JEWISH AMERICAN FILM ACTRESS : BEN HUR : RPPC

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These images feature American silent and sound film actress, Carmel Myers (1899-1980). Carmel Myers was an extraordinary actress who captivated audiences during the early years of Hollywood. She had striking beauty, magnetic screen presence, and versatile talent. Myers was born in San Francisco to Jewish immigrants. Her father was a Rabbi from Russian and her mother was from Austria-Hungary. She grew up in a theatrical household and was exposed to the performing arts from a young age. She participated in both school plays and local theater productions. At the age of 16, Carmel Myers made her professional debut on stage, impressing both critics and audiences with her natural talent. It wasn’t long before she gained the attention of film producers. In 1916 she made her screen debut in the silent film “The House of Mystery”. This was the start of a more than twenty year career in the film business. During the silent film era, Carmel Myers became one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. Known for her expressive eyes, graceful movements, and remarkable versatility, she effortlessly transitioned between comedic and dramatic roles. Her notable films during this period include “Ben-Hur” (1925), where she portrayed the seductive courtesan Iras. Many of her early roles were playing a “vamp”. Carmel Myers was also an early advocate for actors’ rights and was instrumental in establishing the Motion Picture Artists Association. She fought for fair wages, better working conditions, and creative control for performers, contributing to the formation of movie industry unions. With the advent of sound in films, Carmel Myers smoothly made the transition from silent movies to “talkies.” Her resonant voice and impeccable timing added another dimension to her performances. She starred in a range of films throughout the 1930s, including comedies, dramas, and musicals, collaborating with renowned directors and actors of the time. her most popular sound films were “Svengali” (1931) and “The Mad Genius” (1931). Her final film appearance was in the 1945 production of “Blonde Ransom,” marking the end of her illustrious acting career. However, Myers remained involved with both radio and television. Carmel Myers lived a private life outside of the spotlight, rarely divulging details about her personal affairs. She was married three times, first to an attorney and song writer in 1919, in 1929, she married a second attorney, and thirdly, she married a Paramount Pictures executive in 1951. Her first two marriages ended in divorce, and her third marriage ended with her husband’s death. After her husband’s death, she wrote a book about handling grief effectively. After retiring from acting, Carmel Myers devoted herself to philanthropy and community work. She supported various charitable organizations and advocated for social causes.

Image 1 was published by A. Noyer and is of French origin. The card has the MGM logo on it’s front. (SOLD)

Image 2 is a vintage ink blotter that advertises the Frog Switch & Manufacturing Company, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The blotter has a calendar for January, 1923. The blotter also features a photograph (litho) of Carmel Myers. (SOLD)

Image 3 This press photo shows Myers in a classic glamour pose, her head turned slightly with a dramatic upward gaze that conveys both elegance and intensity. Her dark hair is softly styled with curls around her face, and she is draped in a fur wrap that slips over her shoulder, adding to the sense of sophistication and allure. In the lower left corner appears the photo’s numbering “V111-1”, while the lower right bears the imprint AFEDA, N.Y., the New York studio known for high-quality publicity portraits of stage and film stars of the era. Apeda was a photography studio in New York City. It was founded in 1906 by Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Sr. (1876–1951) and Henry Obstfield.  The studio was known for pursuing two business strategies: shooting original portraiture and reproducing uncopyrighted images by other photographers of newsworthy scenes or celebrities under its own trade name. The second strategy resulted in them being brought to court for copyright infringement. They won the case. Dreyfoos was the head photographer and his focus was on sports, theatre and celebrity portraiture.  (SOLD)

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Published in: on September 2, 2026 at 12:30 pm  Leave a Comment  
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FANNIE WARD : PRETTY STAGE & SILENT FILM STAR : PHOTO BY LIZZIE CASWALL SMITH : RPPC 1905

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These vintage real photo postcards feature pretty American stage and silent film actress and film producer, Fannie Ward (1872-1952). She was also the star of light comedies on Broadway. She began her career in the early 1890s, and appeared in over 100 films between 1895 and 1920. She was known for her roles in silent comedies and melodramas, and was considered one of the most popular actresses of her time. She played starring roles in “Madam President”, “The Shop Girl” and many others. Her screen debut was in Cecil B DeMille’s sexually charged, “The Cheat” (1915). Ward also produced several films, including the 1913 film “The Chink in the Armour,” which was directed by her then-husband, Frank Keenan. She retired from acting in 1920, but continued to work in the film industry as a producer until her death in 1952. In addition, after her retirement from the screen, she opened a beauty salon in Paris called “The Fountain of Youth”. The name of the salon is a bit ironic. Ward was known for her youthful appearance. It was not ununsual for her to play the parts of women one of two decades her junior. Ward held feminist beliefs which she wasn’t shy to talk about. In 1909, she told a reporter that her husband hated her work and then pointed out the hypocrisy of society’s support of men pursuing their interests (ie. art, sports, travel) but not supporting women who did the same. In addition, Ward worked as a film producer, a role not usually populated by women.

Postcard 1 was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.1661A). The firm was located in London. Miss Ward was photographed by celebrated female photographer, Lizzie Caswall Smith. This posted postcard has a 1905 postmark.  SOLD

Postcard 2 was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.1661C). Miss Ward looks lovely in her fur hat and fur stole. The firm was located in London. Miss Ward was photographed by the popular female photographer, Lizzie Caswall Smith. SOLD

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Published in: on August 23, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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YVONNE ARNAUD: BEAUTIFUL FRENCH PIANIST, SINGER, AND ACTRESS

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The pretty woman seen in these vintage real photo postcards is Germaine Yvonne Arnaud (1890-1958). She had a noteworthy career as a pianist, singer, and actress. She was most popular in her native France, as well as Britain. Arnaud was brought up in Paris and at the age of nine, she entered the Paris Conservatory where she studied piano. In 1905 she won a major competition for her skills in playing the piano. For the next six years, she performed with many of the leading orchestras in Europe and America. In 1911, at age 21, she began acting on the stage. Her first lead role was in the musical “The Girl in the Taxi”. After an operation damaged her vocal cords, she switched to acting in plays. She began her transition in the hit farce “Tons of Money” (1922). She played a role in the hit, “A Cuckoo in the Nest” (1925). She played in two Broadway productions; “And So To Bed” (1927) and “Canaries Sometimes Sing” (1930). In the 1930’s and 1940’s, she played dramatic roles in films. The IMDb credits her with 21 film roles between 1920 and 1958, Later in her career, she still performed as a pianist. Britain’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre was named in her memory. Arnaud was married to actor Hugh McLellan in 1920. She was president of the “League Against Cruel Sports” from 1948 to 1951. Founded in 1924, the league is Britain’s leading charity that aims to stop the persecution, abuse, and killing of animals for sport. For example, the organization campaigns against Bull Fighting and Fox Hunting. Yvonne Arnaud was very popular; she was a sitter in 80 portraits in the collection of Britain’s National Portrait Gallery. The YouTube video below captures Arnaud playing piano with an orchestra conducted by John Barbirolli. The music was recorded in 1932. She is playing “Valse Caprice Op.76” which was composed by Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921). The French composer was unique compared to his contemporaries in that he wrote music in many genres including chamber music, opera, symphonies, sacred choral music, concertos, and solo piano. He had many musical talents. evidenced by the fact that he was a composer, conductor, organist, and pianist.

Postcard 1 highlights the beauty of Miss Arnaud. Note her romantic headdress. Her photograph was taken by Lucien Walery, a celebrated photographer who operated a studio in Paris. He was known for his portraits of actresses and cabaret dancers from the city’s music halls. He was well known for his portraits of Mata Hari and Josephine Baker. Much of his work was done in the genre of nude/erotic photography. He photographed the beautiful women of Paris between the early 1900’s and the 1920’s. This hand color tinted postcard is part of a series (no. 5111). It has a postmark of 1907.   SOLD                                                                                                              

 Postcard 2 is also a vintage real photo card portrait of Yvonne Arnaud. She looks beautiful in this color tinted postcard. This postcard was printed in Britain and was part of the Lilywhite Photographic Series (no. L 4, 501F). The publisher, Lilywhite Ltd, Halifax (L.L.H.), was founded by Arthur Frederick Sergeant. He also was the founder of Halifax Photographic Company which was based in Halifax, England. Lilywhite began publishing postcards in 1910; and in the 1920’s, the company took over Arrow Series Postcards. The company then published postcards under both the Arrow and Lilywhite names.  This postcard has a postmark of 1925. SOLD

Postcard 3 is a good illustration of the beauty of Miss Arnaud. Note her large loop earrings. The photograph is a bit risque due to her low neckline. Her photograph was taken by Sam Levin (1904-1992). He was born in the Ukraine but emigrated to France when he was two years of age. He is famous for his stage photographs and his portraits of movie stars. His studio was in Paris. Levin was a film photographer for 75 films. He was arrested by the Nazis during World War II and was sent to a camp. His crime was, being Jewish. The fact that he was sent to a detention camp rather than a death camp, indicates there was a high ranking Nazi official acting as his guardian angel. He photographed nearly all the major French and European movie stars of the 1950’s and 1960’s. He is particularly celebrated for his photos of Brigitte Bardot. Levin did over 180 magazine covers in the United States.  This postcard was published by Editons du Globe (Paris). SOLD

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Published in: on August 17, 2026 at 12:30 pm  Comments (1)  
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BILLIE DOVE: BEAUTIFUL FILM ACTRESS, GIRLFRIEND OF FLORENZ ZIEGFELD : RPPC

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These vintage real photo postcards feature actress Billie Dove. Billie Dove (1903-1997) was an American actress. Her parents were Swiss immigrants. During her teenage years, she worked as a model to support her family. Florenz Ziegfeld hired her as a teenager to appear in the Ziegfeld Follies Revue. She was not a particularly talented dancer or singer, her beauty and acting ability were her major assets. In the early 1920’s she moved to Hollywood and began appearing in silent films. It has been written that Ziegfeld’s wife, actress Billie Burke, helped facilitate Dove’s transition to films. Apparently, Burke was trying to separate Dove from her husband because the pair were having an affair. It did not take long for her to become one of the more popular actresses of the 1920’s. Among her better known films was “The Black Pirate” (1926) with Douglas Fairbanks, and “The American Beauty” (1927). Dove was a ravishing beauty and was very photogenic. She married director, Irvin Willat, in 1923. The marriage had a six year duration. She then had a three year romance with Howard Hughes. Dove’s other interests included being a pilot, painter, and poet. After her last film, “Blondie of the Follies” (1932), Dove retired from films. It is thought that she retired because she was distraught about her role in her last film being “trimmed” by her co-star’s (Marion Davies) influential boyfriend (William Randloph Hearst). Hearst was upset because Miss Davise’s acting was overshadowed by Dove’s acting. Mr Hearst owned Cosmopolitan Productions which produced the movie. After retirement, Dove married oil executive Robert Kenaston in 1933 and the couple remained together until Kenaston’s death in 1970. She had a brief third marriage to an architect. It is interesting to note that jazz singer, Billie Holiday, borrowed Billie Dove’s first name when picking out her own stage name. Miss Holiday was an admirer of Miss Dove. The IMDb lists 50 movie credits for Billie Dove between 1921 and 1962.

Postcard 1 is a profile portrait was published by Cinemagazine – Paris Edition (no.313). (SOLD)

Postcard 2 was published as by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.3687/1).  Billie Dove looks beautiful in this portrait taken by Defina. The logo for First National Pictures can be seen in the image’s lower right corner.  (SOLD)

Postcard 3 features Billie Dove looking beautiful in this provocative portrait. The card is risque, considering Dove’s pose and revealing tight dress. Billie Doves portrait seen on this postcard was taken by Defina. This card was published by Ross Verlag’s Italian Edition (Bellerini & Fratini, Florence, Italy). Casa Editrice Bellerini & Fratini was one of the most renowned Italian publishers. The firm began publishing film postcards in the early 1920’s and later became a distributor for Ross Verlag. As of 1918, the firm was still in existence.  (SOLD)

Postcard 4 accentuates Billie Dove’s beauty and elegance. She is reclining gracefully on an ornate, upholstered sofa. Her expression is soft and alluring, with a slightly playful or flirtatious gaze directed toward the camera. She is wearing a light, likely beaded or embellished, sleeveless gown that exudes 1920s sophistication and glamour. A long, delicate strand of pearls adorns her neck, adding to the vintage style and suggesting wealth or high social status. Her accessories include dangling earrings, a bracelet, and what looks like a feather boa or decorative fur near her arm. Her hair is styled in the characteristic short, wavy fashion of the 1920s. Her makeup is subtle yet elegant, with attention to her eyes and lips to accentuate her facial features. The atmosphere is glamorous and romantic. The soft pose and luxurious backdrop suggest themes of wealth, fame, and vintage Hollywood allure. The sofa has an intricate pattern that matches the era’s lavish interior design aesthetic. The background fabric and curtains complement the overall tone of refinement. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag (Berlin, Germany) as part of a series (no.4305/1).  SOLD

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Published in: on August 17, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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DOLORES DEL RIO : BEAUTIFUL ACTRESS : STAR OF AMERICAN AND MEXICAN CINEMA : RPPC

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This vintage real photo postcard features pretty Mexican actress, dancer, and singer; Dolores del Rio (1904-1983). Del Rio’s performing career spanned more than half of a century. She was the first major Latin American actress to become an American film star (1920’s & 1930’s). Del Rio was also a major star in Mexican films. Dolores was known for her beauty as well as for her talent. She was discovered in Mexico and her Hollywood film career started in 1925. She began her career with a number of successful films, including “Ramona” (1928) and “Evangeline (1929). During the silent film era, she was considered the female version of “latin lover”, Rudolph Valentino. Del Rio was one of the fortunate actresses whose career was not destroyed by the advent of sound films. She acted in a wide range of film genres. “Bird of Paradise” (1932) and “Madame Du Barry” (1934) were among her successful films of the 1930’s. In the early 1940’s, her Hollywood career began to flounder sparking Del Rio to return to Mexico to become a major star of Mexican cinema. She continued acting in Mexican films through the 1950’s. Beginning 1960 she acted in both Mexican and Hollywood films. During the late 1950’s through the early 1970’s, Del Rio acted in theater and television. Dolores was born in Durango City, Mexico. Her parents were part of Mexican aristocracy whose lineage could be traced to Spain. Dolores was the cousin of actor Ramon Novarro (another silent film”latin lover”), and of Mexican cinema actress, Andrea Palma. During the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), Dolores’s family lost its fortune. Her family felt threatened by Pancho Villa’s insurgence. It was time to “get out of town”. Her father fled to the United States while she and her mother escaped to Mexico City. Acting was an integral part of Dolores’s getaway. She and her mother felt compelled to dress as peasants to insure safe passage on the train to Mexico City. Her parents reunited there in 1912. Dolores attended a college in Mexico City operated by French nuns. After seeing Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova perform; Dolores decided to become a dancer and took lessons from a well respected teacher. At age 17, Dolores married Jaime Martinez del Rio. He was from a wealthy family and was educated in England. The couple honeymooned in Europe for two years and Dolores formed close relationships with a number of members of European aristocracy. When the couple returned to Mexico, they settled in Mexico City. In 1925, Dolores met American filmmaker Edwin Carewe, and he was spellbound. He convinced Dolores and her husband to move to Hollywood where he promised to make Dolores a star. Her husband hoped to write screenplays there. When they arrived in Tinseltown, Carewe launched a public relations campaign to raise excitement about his beautiful find. He built up her aristocratic background by saying such gems as Dolores was “the first lady of high Mexican Society” and that she had come to Hollywood with a collection of shawls and combs valued at fifty thousand dollars. Dolores made her film debut in “Joanna” (1925), where she played a vamp of Spanish-Brazilian origin. Her first starring role was in the comedy “Pals First” (1926), directed by Carewe. That same year, Dolores appeared in the war film “What Price Glory?”. The movie was a huge financial success and helped Dolores become one of the “WAMPAS Baby Stars” of 1926. Other members of her “class” were Mary Astor, Joan Crawford, Janet Gaynor, and Fay Wray. By then, her film career was rocketing. Her role in Resurrection” (1927), a popular film based on a Tolstoy novel, further propelled her career. While her career was succeeding, her personal life was a “hot mess”. Her marriage to Del Rio ended in 1928. He had much difficulty being in the shadow of his famous and successful wife. Six months after Dolores filed for divorce, Del Rio died in Germany. While dealing with her grief, she had to deal with constant harassment from her discoverer, Edwin Carewe. He wanted to be more than her agent and her director since he had first launched her career. In 1929, Dolores announced to the press, that despite Carewe’s claims, the pair were just friends and business companions. She added that they had no plans for marriage. Soon thereafter, she cancelled her contract with him. The end result was a legal dispute that was settled out of court. Carewe’s anger did not end there. He disparaged her the press and refilmed “Resurrection” starring Lupe Velez, another popular Mexican film star. In 1930, Del Rio married MGM art director, Cedric Gibbons. They became one of Hollywood’s most followed couples of the early 1930’s. In 1932, the film, “Birds of Paradise”, was released to rave reviews. The film starred Del Rio and actor, Joel McCrea. The movie was a South Seas love story. A scandal arose from the film because of a scene featuring the pair swimming naked. Controversy continued in Del Rio’s appearance in “Flying Down to Rio” (1933). In this film, Del Rio was the first actress to wear a two piece bathing suit on screen. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers danced together for the first time on film, in this movie. Del Rio and Astaire also did an “intricate” dance number in the film. Del Rio found herself in political hot water when she and Ramona Novarro and Lupe Velez attended a special screening of a Mexican film which was accused of promoting Communism in California. Del Rio was accused of being a Communist for her attendance at the screening. In 1940, Del Rio began an affair with actor/filmmaker, Orson Welles. The dalliance resulted in Del Rio and Gibbons divorce. In 1954, Dolores was scheduled to co-star in a Spencer Tracy film, but the US government would not give her permission to work in the United States. The government believed she was sympathetic toward communism for attending the aforementioned film screening and for signing a petition supporting a world peace conference. After some time, she was able to remedy the problem by writing a persuasive letter to the US authorities. Later in life Del Rio did express some “political” beliefs. She stated that she wished she could play Mexican roles to show what life in Mexico was really like. She felt such an opportunity could help diminish the ugly stereotypes that existed about Mexicans in American society. She stated that it was her great wish to make fans realize the beauty, wonder, and greatness of Mexicans as a people. She asserted that the great majority of Americans view Mexicans as a “race of bandits, or laborers, dirty, unkempt, and uneducated”. Why do these false negative stereotypes sound so familiar? Del Rio wanted to show “the best that’s in my nation”. It has been pointed out by more than a few writers that Dolores del Rio was no “Latin bombshell”. Instead, she was noted for her elegance. The IMDb reports that Del Rio has 63 film credits ranging from 1925 through 1978.

Postcard 1 was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (no.656). The reverse of the card has a gold seal stating “Ross Splendid”. This postcard has a Netherlands stamp and was postmarked in Rotterdam in 1932. SOLD

Postcard 2 was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (no.3378/2). SOLD

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Published in: on August 8, 2026 at 12:30 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MARCELLE LOUYS : MOULIN ROUGE PERFORMER : PARIS, FRANCE : RPPC : (1909)

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This vintage real photo postcard features Marcelle Louys, a pretty stage performer at the Moulin Rouge. The venue is located in Paris, France. The cabaret opened in 1889 and is best known as the birth place of the can-can dance. The Moulin Rouge remains in business and is a popular tourist destination. This postcard was published by EPR as part of a series (no.144). The postage stamp on this card is from France and the postmark is from 1909. This postcard is in very good condition (see scans)

This Vintage Real Photo Postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $16.89 or best offer

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336252248981

Published in: on July 28, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ELLEN BAXONE :OPERA SINGER & ACTRESS : MOULIN-ROUGE : REAL PHOTO POSTCARDS

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Postcard 1 features French opera singer and actress, Ellen Baxone (1881-1964). She began her theatrical career as an operetta and comic opera singer in 1901. She began performing at the Moulin-Rouge in 1903. She performed in many stage productions and also in one short film in 1917. She married Ivo Radonich in 1918, although she had a son by him in 1908.. He was an officer in the cavalry of the Montenegrin army and cousin to both the king of Montenegro and the king of Italy. Upon her marriage, she ended her theatrical career. Their marriage lasted about two years. This postcard close-up portrait of Miss Baxone shows her beauty. The photograph was taken by Leopold Reutlinger. He was a well known and talented celebrity photographer who operated out of Paris, France. The postcard is hand colored. The card was published by Misch & Co. as part of a series (no.35). The postcard has a postmark from 1908.  SOLD

In Postcard 2 , Ellen Baxone is adorned in a luxurious silk gown, exuding the opulence characteristic of the era. Her attire is complemented by delicate accessories, and her hair is styled in the fashionable manner of the early 1900s. Baxone’s expression is poised and serene, reflecting the grace and sophistication that made her a celebrated figure on the stage. This postcard was mailed to a young woman in Ostend, Belgium. Roughly translated, the message states “Dear Rosina, On the occasion of the new year, I wish you a thousand best wishes and good health. Good fortune to you and your dear parents. I warmly greet you and your dear parents. Your classmate who remembers you. Rosa di Barletta. This postcard is part of a series published by Reutlinger, with this particular piece being number 4 in the collection. Reutlinger’s postcards were widely distributed during the Belle Époque period, serving both as collectibles and as a means for fans to connect with their favorite performers. This postcard is a real photo postcard (RPPC), a popular format in the early 20th century that involved developing a photographic image directly onto postcard stock. This image was created by a photographic process called “Emaillographie”. It is interesting that the first five letters of the technique is “Email”. SOLD

Postcard 3 offers a close-up portrait of Miss Baxone that showcases her beauty. The photograph was taken by Leopold Reutlinger. He was a well known and talented celebrity photographer who operated out of Paris, France. The postcard is hand colored. The card was published by SIP as part of a series (no.1585). The postcard is from circa 1907. SOLD

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Published in: on July 2, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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LYA MARA : GERMAN SILENT FILM STAR : PRODUCER FREDERIC ZELNICK’S WIFE : RPPC

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These vintage real photo postcards feature German silent film star, Lya Mara (1897-1960). She was born in Latvia. Mara was trained as a ballerina. She was a stage performer before World War I. Her rise to fame was rapid and her career spanned a number of continents. Her first film in Germany was in 1918. It was produced by renowned producer, Frederic Zelnick, whom she married in 1918. Zelnick promoted her into major stardom. Her popularity in film was illustrated by the hundreds of photographs of her produced into postcards, cigarette cards, and trade cards. She had exotic looks, expressive eyes, and ability to convey complex emotions non verbally. These attributes made her perfect for appearing in silent films. In film she displayed a combination of sex appeal and naivety. A serious car accident in the 1920’s interrupted her career. At the end of the 1920’s she appeared in a number of Austrian films. She was unsuccessful in making the transition into sound films. In 1933, with Hitler in power, Zelnick and Mara hightailed it to London. She spent the last years of her life in Switzerland. Her long filmography spans from 1916 to 1931.

Postcard 1 was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.1218/3). Mara’s photograph was taken by Ernst Schneider. He was considered to be one of the most celebrated studio photographers in Berlin during three decades (1900’s, 1910’s, 1920’s. He photographed many celebrities from the world of theater, opera, circuses, and film. He was also one of the most prominent fashion photographers in Berlin. In addition, he was well known for his nude photography and he published books showcasing his work in this domain. Sometime around 1908 Schneider began working with postcard publishers “Rotophot” and “Neue Photographische Gesellschaft” (NPG). In 1919 he began working with Ross Verlag. (SOLD)

Postcard 2 features Mara posed in a risque dynamic and theatrical stance, holding a tambourine aloft with both hands. She is dressed in a flowing layered skirt with pointed fabric panels, a midriff-baring top adorned with strands of beads, and numerous bangles and jewelry. Her footwear consists of strapped dance shoes, complementing her lively pose. Her playful smile and expressive gaze capture both glamour and motion, giving the portrait a sense of performance frozen in time. The photograph was taken by Atelier Balázs, Berlin, and published by Ross Verlag (No. 1740/4), one of the most prominent publishers of cinema postcards in Germany. The image is associated with a Zelnik Film production, as noted in the lower right corner. (SOLD) 

Postcard 3 features smiling German silent film star, Lya Mara (1897-1960) and her two adorable dogs. One of these pups is a dachshund. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.764/3). Lya Mara’s portrait was taken by the Becker and Maass studio (Berlin). (SOLD)

Published in: on June 27, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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STACIA NAPIERKOWSKA : FRENCH STAGE AND SILENT FILM ACTRESS : RISQUE : RPPC

This risque vintage real photo postcard features Stacia Napierkowska (1891-1945). was a French actress and dancer during the silent film era. She also directed films. She was born in Paris and began her theatrical career with the Folies-Bergeres. She was “discovered” by the director of the Opera Comique who signed her to theatrical work. Next, she acted in silent films and reached stardom after playing opposite Max Linder, an actor often considered the first international star. In 1913 she left Europe for the United States to begin her own international career. The painter, Francis Picabia, met her on the ocean trip and he produced a series of paintings for which she was the inspiration. During a dance performance in New York City, Napierkowska found herself under arrest for indecency. Upon returning to France, according to Wikipedia, she said “I have not brought away a single pleasant memory from the United States”. She also declared that Americans were “narrow-minded people” and that they were “utterly impervious to any beautiful impression”. IMDb reports that Napierkowska appeared in 91 films between 1908 and 1926. This postcard is quite risque for it’s era. SOLD

Published in: on June 24, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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CONSTANCE TALMADGE : PRETTY BUT TROUBLED SILENT FILM STAR

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This vintage real photo postcard features pretty film actress, Constance Talmadge (1898-1973). She was a silent film star and the sister of actresses Norma and Natalie Talmadge. Constance was born in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents were poor and her father was an alcoholic who abandoned the family in Constance’s early childhood. Her mother worked as a laundress. Mom’s friend suggested that she should try to get Norma a modelling job in flickers, which were shown in nickelodeons. Mom followed the suggestion and that led all three sisters into acting careers. It also led to mom becoming a stereotypical “stage mother”. Constance made her film debut in a Vitagraph comedy short entitled “In Bridal Attire” (1914). Her first substantive role was in D. W. Griffith’s “Intolerance” (1916). Talmadge became a popular star and appeared in more than 80 films during her career. Many of the films were romantic comedies. She also formed her own film production company. She was friends with Anita Loos, a very successful early screenwriter. Loos said she appreciated Talmadge’s “humor and her irresponsible way of life”. Constance left the film business with the introduction of “talkies”. In fact, all three sisters retired around the same time. Apparently, their squeaky Brooklyn accent was not compatible with sound films. Constance became a successful real estate and business investor. Unfortunately, only a few of her films survive. In some ways, Constance lived a tragic life. She became a reclusive alcohol and drug abuser. She also had many affairs and relationships end badly. She was married four times but never had any children. Her first marriage, to a Greek tobacco importer, lasted two years. Marriage number two was to a Scottish soldier and the couple’s union lasted one year. Her third marriage was only two years duration. The fourth time must have been the charm, as she and her stock broker husband were married about 25 years. The marriage only ended upon his death. In 1973, Constance Talmadge died from pneumonia. This vintage real photo postcard was published by Ross Verlag. It was part of a series (no.2033/1). The postcard has the logo of “Fanamet” in the lower right hand corner of the image. “Fanamet Films” was an Austrian film distribution company. The logo for “First National Pictures” is located on the bottom left hand corner of the image. First National Pictures was an American motion picture production and distribution company. The company was founded in 1917 as a theater chain. It then began distributing movies and in 1924 it began producing films. In 1929 the company was absorbed by Warner Brothers.   (SOLD)

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Published in: on June 22, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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