IRENE KING : PRETTY ACTRESS : FOLIES BERGERE : PHOTO BY WALERY : HAND TINTED

This vintage real photo postcard features performer, Irene King. The title on the card indicates that Miss King performed at the Folies Bergere, in Paris France. The portrait of Miss King was hand painted. She is wearing quite the interesting hat and elaborate and colorful dress. This photo portrait was taken by Walery at his Paris studio. He was a well known and talented celebrity photographer. The postcard was published by SIP as part of a series (no.5128). (SOLD)

Published in: on November 19, 2022 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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HELEN BANCROFT : PRETTY THEATER ACTRESS : CABINET CARD BY JOSE MORA

This cabinet card photograph features stage actress, Helen Bancroft. Her portrait was photographed by esteemed celebrity photographer, Jose Mora. She is quite pretty and appears to be dressed in costume from one of her theatrical performances. Bancroft made three Broadway appearances between 1904 and 1911. “Music and Drama” (1892) wrote about Bancroft’s debut in the “Hunchback”, It appears to have been her first major role. The reviewer quotes another reviewer who stated she had “an attractive presence, pretty face and mellow voice(that) did much to win her audience”. Theatre Magazine (1905) had a less complimentary comment about Miss Bancroft. Apparently, she had “resigned” from a play because one of her costumes was an “unbecoming color”.  (SOLD)

Published in: on November 17, 2022 at 2:19 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PROBABLE UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS : STAGE BEAUTY : BRADLEY & RULOFSON : SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

This cabinet card photograph features a pretty young actress. At least, this is likely a stage beauty rather than a “civilian”. This photo was taken by the San Francisco gallery belonging to well respected photographers “Bradley & Rulofson. Their studio took many photographs of stage actresses when they came to San Francisco. Henry William Bradley (1813-1891) and his partner William Rulofson (1826-1876) were partners in a photographic studio that photographed many notable Californians. Bradley was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, and grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He opened his San Francisco studio in 1850 and took in his partner in 1860. When he retired in 1878 his studio was considered the best on the west coast and won first prize at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876. Mr Rulofson had quite a controversial and interesting life and associated with many famous people including Ambrose Bierce.  Rulofson died in a fall from the roof of his studio and was heard to say during the descent, “I am killed”.  (SOLD)

Published in: on November 12, 2022 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PAULINE HALL (1860-1919): BEAUTIFUL MUSICAL THEATRE STAR

This cabinet card features Pauline Hall (1860-1919), one of the most popular turn of the century prima donnas. She began her career as a dancer in Cincinnati, Ohio at age 15. She joined the Alice Oats Opera Company but left to tour in plays with famed actress Mary Anderson. By 1880, she worked for well known producer Edward Everett Rice in musical productions. Early in their association, he gave her a role in “Evangeline”. Her shapely figure allowed her to take male roles as she did in “Ixion” (1885). Her greatest success came in the title role of the first American production of  “Erminie” (1886). She played in more than two dozen Broadway operettas. Her final role was in the “Gold Diggers” (1919). This photograph was taken by famed celebrity photographer, Elmer Chickering of Boston, Massachusetts. The cabinet card has wear in it’s lower right hand corner and has a very slight curl. It is in overall good condition *see scans. 

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MIA MAY : PRETTY AUSTRIAN SILENT FILM ACTRESS

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POSTCARD 3

These vintage real photo postcards feature pretty Austrian actress Mia May (1884-1980). She was born in Vienna, the daughter of a baker. Her older sister was Mitzi Telmont (1879-1958), also an actress. Mia’s stage debut was when she was five years old. She played child roles until reaching age fourteen. As a teenager she appeared as Herma Angelot and performed as an actress and singer. While a high school student, she took ballet lessons. At age 18, she married Austrian, Julius Otto Mandl. The couple’s baby (Eva Maria Mandl) was born seven weeks later. Mia’s husband changed his name to Joe May, upon his entry into the film business. He became a successful film producer and director. This is how Eva adopted her performer name. She appeared in 44 films between 1912 and 1924. Mia’s daughter, Eva May, also became an actress. In 1912, Joe, Mia, and Eva moved to Berlin, where Joe worked as a film director. In 1912 he directed Mia in a film that launched her acting career. By 1914, little Eva May made her screen debut. Joe began his own film company, May-Film Gmb, in 1915. Mia took the position of Managing Director. In 1918, Mia wrote a screen play for “Your Big Secret”. Her movie career flourished in the 1910’s and early 1920’s. From 1919 to 1920 she was the star of an eight part film series (serial) called “Mistress of the World”. Mia reached a level of popularity equivalant to Asta Nielsen, Pola Negri, and Henny Porten. In 1923, she appeared in a film with a young Marlene Dietrich. Mia stated that Marlene Dietrich was “funny and engaging, attractive and original.” She added, “no man could resist her”. Mia May’s last film appearance was in “The Love Letters of Baroness S” (1924). She retired that same year after her daughter Eva committed suicide. In 1933, after seeing the Nazis gaining power, Mia and Joe May fled to America. The couple opened a restaurant (Blue Danube) in Los Angeles but it failed.

The photo portrait of Eva May seen Postcard 1 was taken by Alexander Binder.  The photographer of this terrific image was Alexander Binder (1888-1929). He had the largest photo studio in Europe during the late 1920’s and the 1930’s. Many of his entertainment star portraits appear on Ross Verlag postards. It is thought that Binder was of Swiss origin. He was of the Jewish faith. He studied engineering but did not complete his studies. From 1908 to 1910 he studied photography at a school in Munich, Germany. After the completion of his photography studies, he went to Berlin and in 1913 opened his first photography studio. Before long, he became one of the premier photographers in Berlin.  He primarily focused on fashion and celebrity photography. Since Berlin was the capital of the European film industry, Binder photographed all the stars of the European film industry including, Lilian Harvey, Conrad Veidt, and Lya De Putti. Many of his images were used in popular film portrait postcards. His photographs could be seen in postcards published by Ross Verlag and Photochemie. Binder died in 1929 but new photo cards bearing his signature continued to be published until 1937. It is thought that the real photographer of these new postcards was Hubs Floeter (1910-1974) who was employed at the studio as an operator. The studio continued to be owned by Binder’s widow, Mrs. Binder Alleman and their two daughters. The studio was managed by the Jewish Elisabeth Baroness Vonhedlis Stengel who was later deported to the Theresienstadt concentration camp. In 1938 the Nazi’s closed Binder’s studio and it was later taken over by an Aryan photographer, Karl Ludwig Haenchen . The postcard was published by Ross Verlag (Berlin) as part of a series (no533/3). Note the “May” logo in the lower right corner of the image. Miss May was working for May-Film at the time this photograph was taken. The stamp box seen on the reverse of this postcard has an interesting story attached to it. “NBC” (Neue Bromsilber Convention) was a price cartel established in 1909 that continued until the 1930’s. The purpose of the cartel was to ensure that the minimum price charged for postcards was kept at a sufficiently profitable level. A number of postcard publishing companies joined the cartel in an effort to stave off the effect of competition on the pricing of postcards. This vintage real photo portrait postcard has excellent clarity and is in very good condition (see scans).

Postcard 2 was also published by Ross Verlag. Once again, the photographer is Alex Binder. The postcard is part of the same series (533/2) as Postcard 1. The “May” logo can be seen on the bottom left corner of the image. This unposted postcard is in good condition (see scans).

Postcard 3 was published by Ross Verlag (Berlin) as part of a series (no230/3). Note the “May” logo in the lower right corner of the image. Miss May was working for May-Film at the time this photograph was taken. This vintage real photo portrait postcard has excellent clarity.  The postcard has small stains in it’s top right corner. Overall, the postcard is in Good Condition  (see scans)

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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3715

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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5113

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POSTCARD 3

SYBIL WISE : BEAUTY CONTEST WINNER AND FILM ACTRESS

This vintage real photo postcard features British beauty contest winner and film actress, Sybil Wise (1901-1971). The “hand painted” card honors her third place finish in the Daily Mirror’s beauty competition. Miss Wise had a film career between 1928 and 1955. Her filmography includes five films. She was best known for her appearance in ” Adventurous Youth” (1928) and “Scarlet Pimpernel” (1955). The postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.M46-3). This portrait postcard is in very good condition (see scans). 

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ISABEL JAY : PRETTY ENGLISH OPERA SINGER AND ACTRESS

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POSTCARD 3 (SOLD)

These vintage real photo postcards feature English opera singer and actress, Isabel Jay (1879-1927). She was well known for her performances in soprano roles of the Savoy Operas with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and in Edwardian musical comedies. Isabel was a very active performer during the time picture postcard collecting was at it’s peak. She was photographed for more than 400 different postcards. There was great demand for cards with her image. Isabel studied piano and voice at the Royal Academy of Music prior to joining the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1897. She immediately was given principal singing roles and by 1899, she became the company’s leading soprano.  Some of her comic opera leading roles included “The Rose of Persia”, “The Pirates of Penzance”, and the “Emerald Isle”. In 1902 she left the company after getting married. Her groom was African explorer and soldier, Henry Shepherd Cavendish and the pair were divorced by 1906. I guess Cavendish really was an explorer. Isabel was the first of his five wives. Settling down was apparently not in Mr Cavendish’s repetoire. The West End stage beckoned Jay in 1903. She starred in eleven musicals until retiring in 1911 at 31 years of age. She sang before King Edward Vll and Queen Alexandra in 1905. The Queen gave her a brooch. Isabel was born in London. Her father was an insurance officer. Her great-grandfather was a musician and composer associated with the Royal Academy of Music. She gave musical recitals by the time she was twelve years old. Isabel made a number of recordings between 1900 and 1906. Most of the songs were from her early musical comedies. Her vocal ability was considered top notch. It was thought that she could have sung Grand Opera, if that was her desire. In 1927, she died at age 47 in Monte Carlo in while on a cruise with her second husband, Frank Curzon. He was a successful actor and theatre manager. Curzon served as a mentor to Isabel. 

Postcard 1 was published by Rotary Photo. The card is a part of the Rotary Photographic Series (no. 4832 A). The photo was 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. This vintage postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

Postcard 2 was published by Rotary Photo. This image captures Jay in her role in “Miss Hook of Holland”. The card is a part of the Rotary Photographic Series (no.4417C). The photo was 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. This vintage postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

Postcard 3 was published by Rotary Photo. The card is a part of the Rotary Photographic Series (no.4417O). The photo was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio. SOLD

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MAUD AMY : BEAUTIFUL FRENCH ACTRESS (EARLY 1900’S)

This vintage real photo postcard features a beautiful French actress named Maud Amy. Her name appears in theater magazines around the year 1904. Miss Amy is adorned with a number of necklaces and hair pieces as well as Cameo earrings. The photo seen on this postcard, was taken by Leopold Reutlinger. He was a famous celebrity photographer of his era. He operated a studio in Paris, France. This postcard was published by SIP as part of a series (no 1340).  (SOLD)

LOIS LEE : AMERICAN FILM ACTRESS : PRISONER OF ZENDA : (1921)

This uncommon vintage real photo postcard features beautiful American film actress, Lois Lee (1892-1967). She is most well known for “The Lincoln Highwayman” (1919), “The Phantom Melody” (1920), and “The Prisoner of Zenda” (1922). Her IMDb filmography includes 4 credits between 1919 and 1922. This portrait of Miss Lee was taken to promote her appearance in “The Prisoner of Zenda”. The photo was taken in 1921. Lee was married to comedian and actor, Harvey Stone. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.826/1). Note the British-American-Film logo in the lower right hand corner of the image. Lee was under contract with the company at the time the photo was taken.  (SOLD)

MARINA VON DITMAR GERMAN FILM ACTRESS

This real photo postcards feature German film actress Marina von Ditmar (1914-2014), a leading lady of the 1930’s and 40’s. . She was born in the Russia Empire and was of Baltic German descent. When she moved to Germany she studied acting. Her first roles were appearances at Schauspielhaus, Bremen, and the Altes Theater (Leipzig). In 1937 she joined the ensemble at the Volksbuhne in Berlin and by 1940, she was a permanent actress at this venue. Her first major movie success was in “The Csardas Princess” (1934). In 1943, she starred in “Muchhausen”, a film that had great commercial success. Von Ditmar was also well known for her role in “The Big Shadow” (1942). She appeared in several Nazi propaganda film including Stukas (1941). She married D. Hans-Georg Dehnhardt (1913-2001), a leading physician and owner of a sanitarium,  Soon after her marriage, she retired from acting. The IMDB credits Miss von Ditmar with thirty film roles. This postcard was published by Film-Forto-Verlag and was part of a series (A 3622/1). The photographer was Baumann and there is an advertising logo for the German film company UFA. Film-Foto-Verlag published this postcard. The company became known for it’s postcard portraits of film stars of the German and Italian cinema. The company was formerly known as Ross Verlag but changed it’s name in 1941.This postcard is in excellent condition (see scans). 

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5017

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