LINA CAVALIERI :ITALIAN OPERA STAR : STAGE BEAUTY :PORTRAIT BY REUTLINGER : 1906

Lina Cavalieri was an Italian operatic soprano and renowned beauty who captivated audiences in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on Christmas day in1874, in Viterbo, Italy, as Natalina Cavalieri, she would go on to become one of the most celebrated and iconic sopranos of her time. Cavalieri’s journey into the world of opera began at a young age when her exceptional vocal talent was discovered. She received formal training in Milan, where she honed her skills and developed a remarkable voice. Her operatic debut occurred in 1892 at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Turin, and she quickly gained recognition for her powerful and expressive singing. In addition to her vocal prowess, Lina Cavalieri was known for her striking beauty, and she was often referred to as the “World’s Most Beautiful Woman.” Her enchanting looks and captivating stage presence helped elevate her status beyond the opera world. As her fame grew, she became a sought-after performer in major opera houses across Europe, including La Scala in Milan and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. Cavalieri’s repertoire included a wide range of operas, and she was particularly acclaimed for her performances in works by composers such as Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini. Her ability to convey emotion through her singing and her charismatic stage presence endeared her to audiences worldwide. Beyond her operatic career, Lina Cavalieri ventured into the world of acting and appeared in several silent films. Her beauty made her a natural fit for the burgeoning film industry, and she transitioned seamlessly between the stage and screen. Despite her success, Cavalieri faced personal challenges, including a tumultuous love life and financial difficulties. She had an affair with a Russian Prince and was married multiple times. Her marriages were often short-lived. Tragically, Lina Cavalieri’s life was cut short when she perished in an allied bombing run over Florence, Italy. She was killed running from her house to a bomb shelter. Her legacy lives on through recordings of her performances, photographs, and the enduring image of the “World’s Most Beautiful Woman” who left an indelible mark on the world of opera and entertainment. Cavalieri’s photograph seen on this hand tinted postcard was taken by Leopold Reutlinger. The postcard has a 1906 postmark from Mexico. The card was published by SIP as part of a series (No. 52/19). SOLD

Published in: on December 26, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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MARIA SOLVEG :(MARIA MATRAY) : PRETTY JEWISH ACTRESS, DANCER AND SCREENWRITER

This vintage real photo postcard features German film actress, dancer, and screenwriter Maria Solveg (1907-1993). She was also known as “Maria Matray”. Solveg was a star of the late Weimar film era. She married her mentor, director and choreographer, Ernst Matray. When Hitler rose to power, Solveg, who was Jewish, fled the country. She came to the United States in 1936 and launched a career as a choreographer and writer. She worked in Hollywood as a choreographer or assistant director during the 1940’s. Her well known movies included “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1939), “Pride and Prejudice” (1940), and “Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde” (1941). In the 1950’s she wrote scripts for television. She became a German citizen again in 1960. The IMDb gives Solveg 52 credits for writing and 22 acting credits. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (no.2078/1).  (SOLD)

Published in: on December 14, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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SUSANNE CRAMER : FILM AND TV ACTRESS : RISQUE : UFA FILM FOTO : RPPC

This risque vintage real photo postcard features German film and television actress, Susanne Cramer (1936-1969). She was born in Germany and died at the age of 32 in Hollywood. Her cause of death was pneumonia. During a six year career on American television (1963-1969) she appeared in popular shows, such as “The Man From Uncle”, “Perry Mason”, “Get Smart” and “Hogan’s Heroes”. The IMDb lists Cramer’s filmography as having 46 credits between 1956 and 1969. She began her career in Germany, working in theater and shifting into films. Cramer’s had an unstable private life. She was married five times. One of her husbands she married twice. Her first two marriages were to actors. The first marriage lasted a year and the second marriage ended after five months. During her first marriage, she had two suicide attempts. Her longest marriage was of two year duration. This vintage postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

Buy this Real Photo Vintage Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5165

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Published in: on December 5, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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NORA HAMILTON : PRETTY PERFORMER : DU CHATELET THEATRE : BROADWAY :UNCOMMON RPPC

This uncommon vintage real photo postcard features Nora Hamilton. She was a stage performer. Very little biographical information about Miss Hamilton could be found during my preliminary research. There was an actress by the same name who acted on Broadway during the era that this postcard was published. Nora Hamilton appeared in two plays; “The Merry Widow and the Devil” (1908) and “Miss Jack” (1911). The caption in the top left hand corner of the image provides the name of a French theatre named Theatre du Chatelet. Hamilton performed there. The theatre was built on the site of a small castle in about 1861. It was located in Paris, France. This postcard is color tinted. The card was published by S.I.P. and was part of a series (No.1264). This portrait postcard is in very good condition (see scans). 

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Buy this Real Photo Vintage Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5153

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Published in: on November 27, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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GINA PALERME : FRENCH ACTRESS AND DANCER : PHOTOS BY RITA MARTIN : RPPC

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

These vintage real photo postcards feature a portrait of French actress and dancer, Gina Palerme (1885-1977). She was an active performer between 1909 and 1929. She began her theater career in 1909 in France. An English impresario brought her to London in 1910. Her debut was in “The Quaker Girl” at the Adelphi Theater. This performance was followed by many more stage roles in West-end productions. Photographer, Cecil Beaton, wrote that she was glamorous and that “her off-stage appearances were as sensational as her stage escapades”. She returned to France in 1919 and starred in silent films. Her final screen appearance was in 1925. Her post film career was comprised of working in French cabarets, including Moulin Rouge. She also did revue work in the United States. The New York Times (1929) announced that French revue actress, Gina Palerme, from the Moulin Rouge in Paris, “arrived in America to appear in a new revue under the Shubert management. It was reported that Palerme spoke English well and this was her first trip to America. J. J. Shubert “discovered” her after hearing her sing at the Moulin Rouge. He offered her a six month contract to come to New York. There was also an option that offered her a three year contract upon finishing her Revue performances, to appear in “talkies”. Palerme was very pretty, as is apparent in these postcard photographs.

In Postcard 1, Palerme looks glamourous and her portrait can be seen as risque. Her ornate dress is low cut. This postcard was published by J. Beagles & Co. as part of a series (No.240A). Palerme’s photograph was taken by celebrity photographer, Rita Martin. Female photographers were uncommon during this era.  (SOLD)

Postcard 2 was published by J. Beagles & Co. as part of a series (No.240H). This card is part of the same series as Postcard 1. Rita Martin is the photographer who took both this portrait and the photo in Postcard 1. Note the golden color of Palerme’s hat. The color tinter clearly was a artist. Unlike many color tinters, this one believed in subtlety. (SOLD)

Postcard 1

Postcard 2

Published in: on November 24, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PAULA EDWARDS : MUSICAL COMEDY ACTRESS : “THE SHOW GIRL” : RPPC : 1910

This vintage real photo postcard features musical comedy actress, Paula Edwards. The performer’s name appeared in several theatrical publications. A 1902 article in “The Theatre” magazine presents a review of a show in which Edwards appeared. She performed in “The Showgirl” at Wallack’s theater in New York. The show was a musical comedy and the reviewer hated it. Here are some examples of the reviewer’s comments. He stated that the humor was as heavy as a church sermon. He added “the alleged comedians are not funny”, “the singers can’t sing”, and the director should put on his spectacles and look at the ballet. Finally, the ascerbic reviewer stated the the plot is “as thin as boardinghouse soup”. In regard to Paula Edwards, the writer declares that she helped “reconcile the audience to a very stupid evening”. This vintage postcard was published by Owens Bros. – Hilson Company (Boston, Massachusetts). The card was part of a series (No.015). The postcard was postmarked in Lansing, Michigan in 1910. This vintage photo postcard is in fair condition (see scans). (SOLD)

Published in: on November 22, 2023 at 2:23 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ALEXANDRA DAGMAR : MUSIC HALL PERFORMER & PANTOMIMIST : RPPC 1904

This vintage real photo postcard features music hall vocalist and pantomime performer, Alexandra Dagmar (1868-1940). Dagmar appears to be making a toast in the postcard’s photo. She was born in Polar, England to Danish born parents. Her father was a ship chandler (seller of ship supplies and equipment), and later a wholesale provision merchant. Dagmar came to the public’s attention at the Grand National Amphitheatre in London. where she appeared in “Richard III”. She subsequently toured the United States where she met Edmond DeCelle (1854-1920), a tenor, who she married in New York (1888).The pair appeared together in both the United States and Great Britain for a few years until Dagmar resumed her solo career. She retired upon the onset of the First World War and she and her family made the US her home. She died in Mobile, Alabama at about 72 years of age. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.1682). The photo on this card was taken by the Langfer studio which was located in Glasgow, Scotland. This postcard was postmarked in Derby in 1904.  (SOLD)

Published in: on November 18, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MISS ELIZABETH FIRTH : SINGER, ACTRESS, AND PHILANTHROPIST (1908)

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

These vintage real photo postcards feature soprano, actress, and philanthropist, ElizabethFirth (1880-1960). Although she was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, she became an accomplished singer and actress on the English stage. When she lived in Phillipsburg, she was known as “Jimmy” Firth. The nickname, Jimmy, came courtesy of her beloved father. She went by this moniker with her most intimate friends as well as among those in her theatre world. “Jimmy” graduated from high school in New Jersey and sang as a soprano soloist in the choir of her church. She then entered the New York Conservatory of Music. At a concert at New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria, she came to the attention of a leading London musical directress. Miss Firth then appeared in a few theatrical productions, including a small part in a play starring Viola Allen. In 1903 she accepted an offer to do an English concert tour. Before she could return to the United States, she was signed to a three year contract to act and sing on the English stage. She experienced a great deal of success in Gaiety theatre productions. Among her major roles was her appearance as Natalie, in the “Merry Widow”. The production was in 1907 at the Daly Theatre. Other actors in the play included Lily Elsie and Gabrielle Ray. Five portraits of the actress can be found in England’s National Portrait Gallery. She was known as a beautiful woman. One writer described her as “tall and slender” and that she had a “clear blond complexion along with blue eyes”. She was also considered one of the best dressed women in London. While in England, the actress visited her parents in the US annually and also engaged in theatrical tours there. “Jimmy” was a charitable woman and she established the “Elizabeth Firth Wade Foundation Endowment Fund”. Among the groups work was the building a a Youth Center in Phillipsburg. The foundation is still operating. Firth was married to a widower from Cleveland, Ohio. They wed in New York City in 1931.

Postcard 1 features a portrait taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio. Foulsham & Banfield were well known celebrity photographers. Frank Foulsham and A. C. Banfield operated a studio from the 1900’s through the 1920’s.. The postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.4829 B). This postcard was postmarked in 1908 and is in very good condition (see scans). (SOLD)

Postcard 2 features Miss Firth in her role as “Olga” in “The Dollar Princess”. Her photograph was taken by Rita Martin. Miss Martin was well known for her expertise in taking portraits of theater stars and other celebrities. The postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.4486 F). The writer of the message on this postcard dated it “1911”. The correspondent also provided an illustration of a barking dog along with their message. The sender of this postcard used sealing wax on the card. I have not seen sealing wax used on a postcard before.  Sealing was is usually used to confirm one’s identity or to secure privacy of the contents of an envelope.  (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

Published in: on October 31, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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MISS GAYNOR ROWLANDS : ENGLISH STAGE ACTRESS; SINGER, AND DANCER

POSTCARD 1
POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)
POSTCARD 3

POSTCARD 4 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 5

POSTCARD 6 (SOLD)

These vintage real photo postcards feature English actress, singer, and dancer, Gaynor Rowlands (1883-1906). She carried the nickname of “The Nightingale of Wales”. She started her career in Empire Theatres’s Ballet. Upon graduation, she joined the company chorus line of George Edwarde’s Gaiety Theatre. She toured India in 1901/02. She quickly became a star and she became the most photographed of the “Gaiety Girls”. She was a popular subject of photo postcards and theatre magazine articles. Rowland’s life was cut short when she died of heart failure at the age of twenty-three after surgery for appendicitis. Eight portraits of Gaynor are in England’s National Portrait Gallery. The IMDb reports that she has one film in her filmography. lt was released in 1905.

Postcard 1 is a pretty portrait of Miss Rowlands that was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons as part of the Glosso Postcard Series (No. 5709) and the “Celebrities of the Stage Series”. The writer of this postcard used only one word to describe Gaynor. That word is “Lovely”. There is no doubt about the date that this postcard was written and sent. Not only does the postmark reveal that this card was mailed in 1905, but the writer wrote the same date on the front of the postcard. The card was mailed from Hounslow, a borough of London. This postcard is in good condition (see scans).

Postcard 2 is a portrait postcard that was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No. 1615U). Note Miss Rowland’s necklace and earrings. The message on this card offers Christmas greetings. The postcard was postmarked on Christmas day in 1908. This postcard is in very good condition (see scans). (SOLD)

Postcard 3 was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.1887 T). Embedded in the image is the logo for “Play Pictorial”. The postcard was posted with a British stamp and a postmark from 1906. The card is in very good condition (see scans).

Postcard 4 was published by Davidson Bros. as part of the “Glossyphoto” series (No.1417). The card was postmarked in 1907. (SOLD) 

Postcard 5 was published by Ralph Dunn & Company which operated out of London, England. The card is part of a series (no.418). The postcard was manufactured in Berlin, Germany and is in very good condition (see scans).                                                                                                        

Postcard 6 was published by Rapid Photo as part of the Silverprint series (No.3923). The postcard is of British origin.   (SOLD)                   .

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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3924

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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5146

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$12.00

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$22.00

POSTCARD 1
POSTCARD 2
POSTCARD 3

POSTCARD 5

POSTCARD 6

Published in: on October 30, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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FLORENCE VIDOR : SILENT FILM ACTRESS : WIFE OF FILM DIRECTOR KING VIDOR 

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

Postcard 1 is a vintage real photo postcard featuring silent film actress Florence Vidor (1895-1977). Florence was born in Houston, Texas. She began working in silent films due to the influence of her husband, King Vidor. He was a film director, film producer, and screenwriter. The pair married in 1915. Her first film contract was with Vitagraph Studios in 1916. She became a well known actress after her appearance in “Hail the Woman” (1921). Florence was noted to be one of early Hollywood’s great beauties. During the 1920’s, she was a major star for Paramount Pictures. She was the leading lady to actors Sessue Hayakawa and “drag star”, Julian Eltinge. She also acted for director Cecil B. DeMille. Sound films brought about the end of her performing career. In fact, she had so much difficulty with sound films, that she retired from acting before finishing the movie in which she was appearing. Florence divorced her husband in 1924. She married the talented and popular classical violinist, Jascha Heifetz in 1928. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1945. This photo portrait postcard can be found in the collection of the National Museum of American History (Smithsonian Institute). This vintage postcard is uncommon. SOLD

Postcard 2 was published by Alfred Noyer as part of a series (No.351). Note the logo for Paramount Films in the bottom right hand corner of the image. SOLD 

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

Published in: on October 28, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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