SUSY VINING : BEAUTIFUL ACTRESS AND FASHIONISTA (EXTRAORDINARY CABINET CARD BY BENJAMIN FALK); AND TWO RPPC’S :

PHOTO 1 (SOLD)

PHOTO 2 (SOLD)

PHOTO 3 (SOLD)

I am not prone to hyperbole. Without exaggeration, I find this cabinet card portrait (photo 1) quite extraordinary. The pretty woman in this photograph is beautifully dressed. She deserves the moniker of “fashionista”. If she walked into a noisy crowded room, I’m quite sure all activity would cease, and she would become the center of attention. I wish I knew the identity of this fabulous lady. She is probably an actress, which I assume by her appearance, and by the fact that she was photographed by celebrity photographer, Benjamin Falk. An inscription on the reverse of this photograph identifies her as “E Vinning”. I could not find any information about any performer with that name. However, my research did discover an actress named “Susy Vining”. Photographs of Susy Vining show a person who looks similar to the woman in this cabinet card photo. Note the real photo postcard image of Susy Vining below. Do you think “E Vinning” and “Susy Vining” are one and the same person? Just a few more words about this cabinet card. The subject is holding a fur stole and umbrella in one hand, and a top hat in the other. Considering that she is already wearing a head covering, I would love to know the story behind the top hat. This cabinet card image is not on regular cabinet card stock paper. This photograph is printed on thinner than usual stock paper. The card is gold beveled. There is a bar code sticker on the reverse of the photograph. It is very possible that this image is a REPRODUCTION, rather than an original photograph. (SOLD)

Photograph 2 is a vintage real photo postcard of actress Susie Vining. Her bare shoulder dress makes this photograph a bit risque. The actress is holding a cute small dog. The dog looks like a Yorkshire Terrier. This photograph was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio as part of a series (no.1946 A). 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. (SOLD)

Photograph 3 was published by C. W. Faulkner & Co. as part of a series (no.483A). The postcard’s message was written in 1905. The writer tells the addressee that “our Meg has got a place at Fisherrow School”. The postmark is also from 1905. The card was postmarked in Kirkcaldy, Scotland and addressed to Musselburgh, Scotland. (SOLD)

PHOTO 1
PHOTO 2
POSTCARD 3

MISS AUDREY FORD : BRITISH STAGE ACTRESS : PIQUANT AND HUMOROUS : RPPC : (1910)

This vintage real photo postcard features pretty British theater actress, Audrey Ford. “The Sketch” (1896) includes her in their review of the stage play, “Josiah’s Dream”. The reviewer states that “Miss Audrey Ford is very piquant, and has a charming turn of humour”.  A visit to the dictionary revealed that “piquant” is defined as intriguing or stimulating. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.4416 C). Miss Ford’s portrait is by the Foulsham & Banfield studio. The card was postmarked in 1910. This postcard is in fair condition. Note the stain in the upper left hand corner of the card (see scans).

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3876

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$10.22

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 3876

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$13.97

DRINA VERCHESI : BRITISH BEAUTY & ACTRESS : ROTARY PHOTO : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features British beauty and actress, Drina Verchesi. This postcard captures Miss Verchesi in, what was meant to be, a “provocative” pose.  Information about Verchesi is not readily available. A deeper dive into theater sources, will uncover some details of her life. It is a safe  bet that she was not a major player on the British stage, but established enough to be featured on this postcard. This card was published by Rotary Photo as part of the “British Beauty” series (no.A1106-2). The firm operated in London, England. This postcard is in good condition (see scans). 

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3864

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$12.43

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 3864

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$21.68

LEILA HYAMS : PRETTY FILM ACTRESS : FAMOUS MODEL : LISTERINE : “FREAKS” : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features American film and stage actress, model and vaudeville player, Lila Hyams (1905-1977). Her parents were vaudeville comedy performers and her mother was also a well thought of actress. Her parents also appeared together in a number of films. Leila began acting on stage as a child. In her teenage years, she worked as a model and became nationally known. She modelled for the first ad for Listerine. Leila’s film career was during the silent film and early talkie era and spanned from 1924 through 1936. Often playing leading lady roles, she appeared in more than fifty films. “Freaks” (1932)  was one of best known movies. Leila married her talent agent in 1927 and they stayed together for 50 years. The New York Times wrote in her obituary that she was “an attractive blonde actress who was eminently successful at playing ingenues.  This vintage postcard portrait is in very good condition (see scans). SOLD

FRANCES WETHERALL : FILM AND STAGE ACTRESS : AS CYNISCA IN PYGMALION & GALATIA

This vintage real photo postcard features English actress, Frances Wetherall (1868-1923). She appeared in films and on stage. Her filmography includes three films; “A Place in the Sun” (1916), “Nobody’s Child” (1919), and “Cinderella” (1921). She was married to film actor, H. R. Hignett. Wetherall acted in the play, “Gamblers All”, with Lewis Waller. Between 1894 and 1895, Wetherall was a member of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. She continued to perform in musical and legitimate theater the rest of her life. This postcard portrait was taken at the Guttenberg Studio, in Manchester, England. The phtograher captured Miss Wetherall in her role as Cynisca in”Pygmalion and Galatia”. The photographer of this photograph is Percy Guttenberg of Manchester, England. The photo was taken in about 1905. Alexander Percy Guttenberg (1870-?) came from a family that produced a number of photographers. His father, Marcus Guttenberg (1828-1891) began as a daguerreotypist in Hungary, Prussia, Poland and Germany before starting a photography business in England (1851). One source reports that he established 24 studios in England but settled in the Manchester area. Percy, like his father, was also very successful. In fact, there are fourteen of his photographs in England’s National Portrait Gallery. Percy was famous for his work photographing actors and actresses.  (SOLD)

MRS FISKE : THEATER STAR : ROTOGRAPH : BY MORRISON CHICAGO : RPPC

CABINET CARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

This vintage real photo postcard and this cabinet card features acclaimed theater actress, Minnie Maddern Fiske (1865-1932). When performing, she was often billed as “Mrs. Fiske”. She was one of America’s leading actresses during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She performed in several Henrik Ibsen plays and is recognized as introducing American audiences to the Norwegian playwright. She was born in New Orleans, Lousiana, to parents that worked in the theater world. Her first professional acting gig was playing a role in a Shakespeare play. She was only three years old. By the age of four, she made her New York debut. Much of her childhood was spent touring with theater companies. At age sixteen, she played leading lady roles. She was recognized for her acting, but also for her beauty and singing voice. In 1890, she married Harrison Grey Fiske, successful playwright and Broadway producer. After takin three years off from acting, she returned to the theater in 1893 as an actor, playwright and director. The IBDb reports that she had 55 Broadway credits, combining her acting, writing, and directing. Among her successes on Broadway were “Tess of the d’Urbervilles (1897), “A Dolls House” (1902), “The Rose” (1905), and “The High Road” (1912). Her Broadway credits spanned from 1871 through 1930. In the mid 1910’s, Mrs Fiske starred in film adaptations of two of her stage successes. Although the films were well received, she believed she was more suited for theater than film. Despite her success in the theater, the talented actress died poverty stricken. Her financial downfall was realted to her battling against a group of producers that organized the Theatrical Trust (or Syndicate). The Syndicate controlled the nation’s best theaters and dictated what plays would appear and which actors would be in the cast. They relegated Mrs Fiske to appear in third rate theaters, churches, and skating rinks. Mrs. Fiske was not to be intimidated. She also was an advocate for animal welfare. She was involved in the activities of the ASPCA and other human leagues. She fought against the fashion craze of decorating hats with bird feathers. Many bird lives were sacrificed, and entire species were nearly wiped out as a result of this fad. She also educated the public about the cruelty involved in trapping animals. Because she was well known, respected and popular, she was able to influence animal reform. Mrs Fiske won a number of humanitarian awards. She was a strict vegetarian and was anti vivisection. During World War II, there was a liberty ship named  the “SS Minnie M Fiske”. Minnie Maddern Fiske was a woman born before her time. She was a feisty activist.

Cabinet Card 1 features acclaimed theater actress, Minnie Maddern Fiske (1865-1932). The photograph captures her in her role in “Tess of the d’Urbervilles (1897). Mrs. Fiske’s photograph for this cabinet card was taken by eccentric celebrity photographer, Napoleon Sarony. (SOLD)

Mrs. Fiske’s photograph on Postcard 1 was taken by William Morrison of Chicago, Illinois. The card was published by Rotograph as part of a series (no.B 627). (SOLD)

MARIE LOUISE DERVAL : PERFORMER : PICASSO MODEL : PHOTO BY PAUL BOYER

This vintage real photo postcard features performer, M Louise Derval. Miss Derval looks pretty and fashionable. Note her elegant green gown, large fancy hat, long necklace, and small coin purse. Pablo Picasso drew a pen and brush portrait of Derval. It was one of four illustrations of Paris Entertainers drawn from sketches made in Paris theaters and cabarets. The portrait drawn in 1901, is now in the collection of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City. This postcard was published by S.I.P. as part of a series (no.1305). Miss Derval’s photo portrait was taken by the well known celebrity photographer, Paul Boyer. His studio was located in Paris, France. This postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

Buy this original Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3846

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$23.64

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 3846

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$32.89

SALI LOBEL : ACTRESS, DANCER, SINGER, MUSICIAN, ATHLETE, AUTHOR & LECTURER

D’Shoara Sali Lobel is the subject of this vintage real photo postcard. She is often cited as “Sali Lobel”. Preliminary research yielded only a small amount of information about this very well rounded woman. She was Romanian born and became known as an actress and dancer. She was also the leader of the Everywoman’s Health Movement. She taught dancing at the movement’s headquarters in London. She was the author of “Glamour and How to Achieve It” (1939). This postcard features a photo of Ms Lobel and on it’s reverse, provides an advertisement for the Sali Lobel School. The school was located in Manchester and offered classes to day, night, and residential students. The curriculum included dancing, elocution, singing, piano, violin, fencing, swimming, and gymnasium. This postcard was postmarked in 1944. This is a rare postcard. In fact, I was unable to locate any other postcard portraits of Sali Lobel. (SOLD)

IDA LYTTON : ACTRESS : MUSICAL THEATER : DAUGHTER OF HENRY LYTTON : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features actress Ida Lytton. Sketch Magazine (1902) printed her photograph and the caption states that she was about to make her theatrical debut. She performed in musical theater and I was able to locate very little of her biographical information. She was the daughter of actor, Sir Henry Lytton (1865-1936). He was a very prominent English actor and singer. He was associated with Gilbert and Sullivan roles. The photo for this card was taken by the Rembrandt Studio. The postcard was published by the German firm, Rotophot.  This portrait postcard has been trimmed and due to that, should be rated as in overall fair condition. However, the image itself has excellent clarity and is in good condition (see scans).

ida-lytton_0003-1

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3827

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$19.69

ida-lytton_0003-2

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #3827

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$28.89

PEARL LYNDON : ACTRESS : CRIME :WIFE OF PHOTOGRAPHER L. S. LANGFIER :RARE RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features actress, Pearl Lyndon. She used a variety of other names including Madame Rosario. It is interesting to note that she was the wife of the photographer who took the photograph for this postcard. The photographer was Louis Saul Langfier.The pair married in 1903. This postcard is rare and information about Miss Lyndon is sparse. She grew up in Scotland. She ran a theater school for young children. She taught music and dance and claimed to be a professor. In 1920, a police news magazine reported that the and a live in man, were assaulted by their housekeeper and her son. The housekeeper denied the charge and said that Pearl was trying to engage her employment at a nightclub and criminal activity. There was another report of Pearl being attacked. She suffered broken teeth and was threatened by a man with a revolver. The assault took place in a dance club.By 1920, she and her live-in partner were running a London dance club that drew much attention from the local police. She was fined for selling alcohol without a license. Someone at the hearing referred to her establishment as a “disreputable place”. Pearl added more clubs to her portfolio and at least three of her clubs were raided by the police. There were reports that opium was being sold at her clubs.  In 1924, at age 36, Pearl was arrested by the police in Fife, Scotland. She and her partner had split up, and he accused her of harrassment, and assault. He claimed she hit him on the head with a hammer, knocking him out. He stated she then turned on the gas in an attempt to kill him. She was also accused of hiring two men to threaten her ex with a razor. It was a “he said. she said” trial but at the end, Pearl was sentenced to two months in jail. When she was released from her imprisonment, she disappeared from the newspapers. It is interesting that research revealed much of Pearl’s nefarious behavior, and none of her history on stage. I find that quite sad. This vintage photo portrait postcard is in fair condition (see scans). 

pearl-lyndon-1-1

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3828

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$19.69

pearl-lyndon-1-2

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #3828

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$28.89

Published in: on January 18, 2022 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , ,