This very uncommon vintage real photo postcard features the pretty young actress and singer, Miss Daphne Hope. She is dressed and posed provocatively for this postcard portrait. Her legs are exposed and she is wearing a short top. Even though Daphne’s legs are covered with flesh colored stockings, this is a risque postcard for it’s era.. Daphne Hope postcards are rare. It is also difficult to find information about her. The website “Footlight Notes” reprinted a 1912 article about Daphne Hope and her performing partner, William Burr. The pair were English music hall entertainers that took their show on the road to New York’s Fifth Avenue Theater. The article states that their talking act and “double singing” was simply “delightful” and “unique”. Hope is described as a “comely blonde, of the robust type, with a very pleasant voice”. The reviewer enjoyed the humorous banter between Hope and Burr. The article described their act as a “sunbeam” compared to the “shadows” vaudeville has imported in the past. SOLD
This cabinet card (Photo 1) features early British theatre actress, Hilda Hanbury (1875-1961). She is dressed for winter in this portrait. Note her warm looking coat and her hand-warming muff. Her hat is quite elaborate. Hilda’s sister, Lily Hanbury (1874-1908), was also an actress. Lily’s cabinet card photo portrait can be found elsewhere in the Cabinet Card Gallery. Hilda and Lily were cousins to actress Julia Neilson. Hilda began her acting career in the late 19th century and went on to have a successful stage and film career that spanned several decades. Hanbury made her professional stage debut in 1897 and went on to perform in a variety of plays throughout her career, including Shakespearean productions and contemporary dramas. She was particularly known for her performances in the plays of Noël Coward, and appeared in several of his works, including “The Vortex” and “Hay Fever.” Hanbury also appeared in a number of films during the 1930s and 1940s, including “The Ghoul” (1933) and “The Saint in London” (1939). Unlike her sister Lily, her film appearances were often in supportive roles. However, Hilda was considered a “stage beauty” and her image was popular on cabinet cards, cigarette cards, and postcards. Hanbury continued to act into her seventies, and her final stage appearance was in a production of Coward’s “Waiting in the Wings” in 1960. Hanbury was a close friend of playwright Noël Coward, and she appeared in several of his plays over the course of her career. Hanbury was known to be an avid bicyclist and a passionate gardener and was a member of the Royal Horticultural Society. She was a judge at flower shows and often exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show. Hilda married Arthur William Fox (1870-1956) in 1905. After the marriage, she retired from the stage and lived in a sixteen-room house. The couple had nine servants. Hilda and her husband divorced in 1923. The divorce was precipitated by her husband’s adultery. The photograph seen on this cabinet card was taken by the London Stereoscopic Company, located in Cheapside, England. The photo was taken sometime in the 1880’s or 1890’s. Interestingly, there is warning notice on the reverse of the photograph concerning it’s copyright. In addition, there is an advertisement offering photography lessons, on the card’s reverse. There is also an advertisement from H. G. Pearce & Co., a stationer and printer. SOLD
Photo 2 is a vintage real photo postcard featuring Hanbury holding her cute black dog over her shoulder. Note her flat hat. This postcard was published by Stewart & Woolf (London, England). SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard features stage actress Annie Hughes (1869-1954). The actress poses in this photograph with her child and her Jack Russell Terrier. Miss Hughes was born in England. As a child actress she was associated with the role of “Little Lord Fauntleroy”. The actress was married three times. She was in the title role of “Miss Tommy”, first produced at the Gaiety Theatre in 1907. In 1912 she took the production on a tour of the United States. This postcard was published by Philco and was part of a series (No. 3075 B). Philco was located in London. The postcard has a postmark indicating that it was mailed in1905. The photographer of this image was the Lafayette studio. The firm was founded in Dublin in 1880 by James Stack Lauder. His father, Edmund Lauder was a pioneering and successful photographer. The elder Lauder used the name “Lafayette’ to give the company a touch of Paris, which was a a city considered the center of the art and photography world. James was joined in business by his three photographer brothers. By the 1900, the company had studios in Glasgow, Manchester, London and Belfast. The studio also was invited to photograph Queen Victoria. The company still exists today. SOLD
Mady Christians (1892-1951) was an Austrian-American actress. She appeared in many films and stage productions, both in Europe and the United States. This photograph captures Christians and two dogs in a scene from the silent film “Zoph und Schwert (Braid and Sword)” (1926). Some of her most notable performances include roles in the films “The Great Dictator” (1940) and “The Shop Around the Corner” (1940). She was also a successful stage actress and appeared in several Broadway productions. Christians was forced to flee Nazi Germany in the 1930s and emigrated to the United States where she continued her acting career. She was an active performer between 1916 and 1951. She was born in Vienna. Her father was a well known German actor. The family moved to Berlin and in 1912 they moved to New York City where her father became the general manager of the Irving Place Theater. In 1917, she returned to Europe to study acting under Max Reinhardt. Before the early 1930’s she appeared in several European films. In 1929, she starred in the first full sound film made in Germany. After touring the United States in a play, she was offered a Broadway contract. While appearing in Broadway she became part of a small and influential group of lesbian theater producers, directors, and actors. Christians became involved in political issues. She worked to help refugees, to gain rights for workers, supported Russian War relief, and was involved in other political issues. Her political work brought her to the attention of the FBI and other anti Communist groups, notably the House Committee on Un-American Activities. The FBI investigated Christians when an informant identified her as a “concealed communist”. The investigation virtually ended her performing career. She passed away in 1951 This card was published by Ross Verlag. The firm operated in Berlin, Germany. Note the mention of the German film company Aafa Film-Regie and the film’s director, Victor Janson in the lower right corner of the image. SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard features Spanish actress, singer, and dancer, Carmen Sevilla (1930-2023). She started her career in the 1940’s and succeeded in becoming one of the most popular stars of the Spanish cinema until the 1970’s. Among her film roles were appearances in “Imperial Violets” (1952), “Vengeance” (1958), and “Antony and Cleopatra” (1972). She was also a successful singer who’s discography includes fifteen studio albums. Carmen was born in Seville, Spain. Her father was a composer. After the Spanish Civil War, she and her family moved to Madred and her father and grandfather worked as lyricists for major films. As a child, Sevilla enjoyed singing and dancing and made her stage debut at the age of twelve. In the 1940’s she studied at the Conservatory of Music and took dance lessons. She made her film debut in 1946. In 1947, she competed in the Miss Spain contest. Her first leading film role occurred in 1948 and her career quickly blossomed. Her popularity led to her being sought for advertising purposed. She was in Spain’s first Coca Cola commercial. She made her last film in 1978. In 1991 she began a new career as a television presenter. Sevilla was married twice. Her first marriage was to a well known composer / conductor. In 2012, she was diagnosed with Alzheimers. The disease led to her death just seven days before this posting. Sevilla’s photo portrait, seen on this postcard, was taken by the Harcourt studio. The card was published by the Globe (Paris) and is part of a series (No.203). SOLD
This uncommon vintage real photo postcard (Postcard 1) features silent film icon, Clara Bow (1905-1965 ). She successfully made the transition to talkies in 1929. Bow appeared in 46 silent movies and 11 talkies. She was known as the “It Girl” during the golden age of Hollywood. She was known for her vivacious energy, mesmerizing on-screen presence, and her impressive talent. She was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in the borough’s tenements. Both of her parents had mental health issues and she grew up in an unstable and chaotic environment. She was a resilient and determined child and she took on a caretaker role for her younger siblings. She was responsible and mature beyond her years. Despite her humble background, she became a very influential figure in cinema history. Her rise from poverty to stardom, and her groundbreaking portrayals of independent and liberated women, helped her gain an enduring legend of the silver screen. Clara Bow was discovered in 1922 when she participated in a magazine contest searching for new talent. Her photographs were seen by film producer B. P. Schulberg who saw her potential and offered her a screen test. Her screen presence was impressive and she signed a contract with Paramount Pictures. In her earliest films, her versatility was was obvious as she transitioned effortlessly between dramatic and comedic roles. It was the 1927 film, “It” that made Clara Bow a superstar and earned her the nickname of “The It Girl”. She was viewed as modern, charismatic, and sexually liberated. Bow was also successful in “talkie” films, despite her Brooklyn accent. While Bow was successful professionally, her personal life was a “hot mess”. She had a long term troubled marriage to actor Rex Bell (m.1931) and she battled her own mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. In 1933, Bow retired from acting and became a rancher. This vintage real photo postcard was published by Ross Verlag (Germany) as part of a series (No.3394/1). Bow is wearing a grass skirt, a Hawaiian Lei, and holding a ukulele. She is showing her bare legs. The card is risque for it’s era. The logo for Paramount Pictures can be found in the images bottom right hand corner. SOLD
Postcard 2 was published by Ross Verlag (Germany) as part of a series (No.4480/1). Bow is wearing a short skirt. She is showing her bare legs. The card is risque for it’s era. The logo for Paramount Pictures can be found in the images bottom right hand corner. SOLD
Postcard 1 features Julia James (1890-19F64), a beautiful stage actress. She appears in costume from the show “The Joy Ride Lady”. The play appeared in a London’ West End theater in about 1914. She sat in 76 portraits that are part of England’s National Portrait Gallery. She is considered by one theatrical writer to be among the top fifteen most beautiful actresses of the 1900’s Edwardian era. She was born in London, England and began her career as a chorus girl at the Aldwych Theatre under Seymour Hicks. She played in “Blue Belle” in 1905. She appeared in productions at the Gaiety Theatre. These plays included “The Girls of Gottenburg”, “Havana”, and “Our Miss Gibbs”. She performed in Paris in “The Arcadians” (1913). This Rotary Photo postcard was printed in Great Britain. The postcard is part of a series (no.6928F). The photographers of this image are from the Foulsham and Barfield studio. (SOLD)
Postcard 2 was published by Beagles and was printed in Great Britain. The postcard is part of a series (no.340N). The photographer of this image is esteemed celebrity photographer, Rita Martin. (SOLD)
Postcard 3 was published by Beagles and printed in Great Britain. The card has a 1917 postmark. The postcard is part of a series (no.340S). The photographer of this image is esteemed celebrity photographer, Rita Martin. (SOLD)
Postcard 4 was printed in Great Britain by Rotary Photo. The card has a 1909 postmark, revealing that Miss James was about 19 years of age when this photo was taken. The postcard is part of a series (no.1984C). The photographer of this image is the Foulsham & Banfield studio. (SOLD)
Postcard 5 This vintage real photo postcard features Julia James wearing a long strand of pearls and a pretty dress. Her dress is low cut for her era, making this postcard risque. She was likely a teenager, or in her twenties, when this photograph was taken. This postcard was published by J. Beagles & Co. and printed in Great Britain. The postcard is part of a series (no.340P). The card was distributed by K. V. M. Sultan & Co. which was located in Singapore. The photographer of this image was female. Women photographers were not very common at the time this postcard was published. The photographer of this postcard photo was Rita Martin. She was a talented and well known celebrity photographer. (SOLD)
Postcard 6 features Miss James in a scene from “Sleeping Beauty”. This “Philco” postcard was printed in London, England. The postcard is part of a series (no. 3298C). The photographer of this image is the fabulous celebrity photographer, Rita Martin. She is considered one of the best British photographers of her time. Her studio was in an exclusive neighborhood She was born Margareta Weir Martin in Ireland. Margareta “Rita” Martin started her career in photography in 1897 by assisting her elder sister Lallie Charles in running her studio. In 1906 Rita opened her own studio. Rita had a specialty in photographing actresses including Lily Elsie and Lily Brayton. She was also well known for her child studies which often involved children of well known actresses. Rita’s sister, Lallie Charles was more known as an excellent society photographer. (SOLD)
Postcard 7 is beautifully color tinted image of Julia James. Note her long strand of pearls and her pretty dress. Her dress is low cut for her era, making this postcard risque. She was likely a teenager, or in her twenties, when this photograph was taken. This postcard was published by Philco and printed in Great Britain. The postcard is part of a series (no.3124A). (SOLD)
Postcard 8 has a message that provides the recipient with birthday greetings. This Rotary Photo postcard was printed in Great Britain. The card has a 1907 postmark, revealing that Miss James was about 17 years of age when this photo was taken. The postcard is part of a series (no.1984A). The photographer of this image is Alexander Bassano. Bassano (1829 –1913) was a leading royal and high society photographer in Victorian London. (SOLD)
Postcard 9 captures James eating an apple. She is flashing a fine smile. This postcard was was published by the Rival Photographic Series and was printed in Great Britain. The postcard is part of a series (no.R P 1073). The photographer of this image was the talented and famous, Rita Martin. She was considered one of the best British photographers of her time. She opened her studio in 1906. (SOLD)
These vintage real photo postcards feature French actress and dancer, Anne Regina Badet (1876-1949). She was a major star of the Opera-Comique in Paris. She made her debut at the Grand Theatre de Bordeaux where she became a principal dancer She received much acclaim for her portrayal of Conchita Perez in “The Woman and the Puppet (1910)”. Postcard 1 shows her in this role. Her stage acting led her to a brief film career (eleven movies between 1908 and 1922). The Los Angeles Herald (1906) described Badet as the “new Paris pet” and that her dances in the Opera “Aphrodite” had “caused a furor among theater goers. A critic wrote that he went to see the performance because the opera was a “masterpiece” and because he wanted to see the star soprano, Mary Garden, interpretation of her role. Instead, he reports he was most drawn to the performance by Regina Badet. Miss Badet retired from stage and screen in the early 1920’s.
The photographer of the image on Postcard 1 is listed as “Bert”. I believe that this is a photographer who partnered with celebrated photographer Paul Boyer, renowned for his celebrity and theater images. This postcard was published by F. C. & C.
Postcard 2 offers a second portrait of Miss Badet. The pretty actress is wide eyed and wearing a lot of jewelry. The photograph was taken by Henri Manuel (1874-1947). In 1900, Manuel opened a portrait studio in Paris with his brother Gaston. He quickly became well known for his portraits of politicians, artists, and athletes. His images were used by news agencies . His studio became the largest studio in Paris and it attracted many young photographers who sharpened their skills there. In 1925 the brothers expended their business to include fashion photography. They worked for such designers as Chanel, Patou, and Lanvin. The studio shut down during World War II and many of their photographic plates were destroyed. Manuel was the official photographer for the French government from 1914 through 1944. SOLD
Postcard 3 features a photograph of Miss Badet that was taken by celebrated photographer, Paul Boyer. SOLD
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In writing about Mrs James Brown Potter, an author stated “She was singularly beautiful with her pale delicate chiseled face, long dark eyes, and hair like burnished bronze with copper lights”. Mrs Brown Potter (1859-1936) was born Mary Cora Urquhart, the daughter of a wealthy New Orleans Colonel. She was one of the first American society women to join the stage. In 1877 she married a very wealth New York socialite, James Brown Potter. That same year she made her stage debut at Theatre Royal in Brighton, England. Soon thereafter, she partnered with actor Kyrle Bellew and they frequently performed together over a ten year period. She performed in the United States and in Europe. She retired from the stage in 1912. She was active in raising money for war charities during the Second Boer War. Mrs Brown Potter was considered a competent actress, but not an outstanding performer.
In the Cabinet Card 1 photograph, Mrs. Potter looks very beautiful as she peers through a curtained doorway. Her gown was likely made by the best dress makers of the time and was assuredly very expensive. Falk, the photographer of this cabinet card, was a famous celebrity photographer in New York City. To see other photographs by Falk, click on the category “Photographer: Falk”. (SOLD)
The Cabinet Card 2 photograph of Cora Potter was photographed by Kuebler of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She appears to be in costume and is clearly a beautiful woman with fetching eyes. To view other photographs by and to learn more about Kuebler, click on the category “Photographer: Kuebler”.
The Cabinet Card 3 photograph of Mrs Potter was produced by Jose Maria Mora, a celebrity photographer based in New York City. The image was part of a series (#7). To view other photographs by this photographer, click on the category “Photographer: Mora”. Mrs Potter looks quite elegant in this cabinet card portrait. Her hat can best be described as “floral”. The photograph is stamped on the reverse with the name of the gallery that originally sold it (“John Hoch Art Store, 118 Court Street, Boston”). Hoch’s obituary appears in the Bulletin of Photography and the article reports that he was the first among Boston’s photographers to sell photographs of celebrities. He had been engaged in the photography and picture frame business in Boston for more than fifty years. The obituary mentions that he was of German heritage and was 84 years old at the time of his death. His cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage.
This vintage real photo postcard features French opera singer, Suzanne Balguerie (1888-1973). She is considered one of the best sopranos performing between the two World Wars. She studied singing at the Conservatoire de Paris. Her debut was at the Opera-Comique in 1921. She received rave reviews. She made a career at the Opera-Comique. When the Nazis occupied France during World War II, there was little opportunity for her to work and she became impoverished. She retired in 1950 and in 1953 she became a professor at the Conservatories in Grenoble and Geneva. For an unknown reason, she did not pursue an international opera career. Mlle Balquerie’s photo portrait seen on this postcard was taken by esteemed photographer, Henri Manuel. The card was published by Alfred Noyer (Paris, France). (SOLD)
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CABINET CARD 1 (SOLD)
CABINET CARD CARD 2
CABINET CARD 3
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 