ACTRESS IVY CLOSE: IN 1908 SHE WAS RATED THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE WORLD

POSTCARD 1  (SOLD)

ACTRESS IVY CLOSE: RATED THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE WORLD IN 1908 : E NEAME - Picture 1 of 3POSTCARD 2  (SOLD)

These vintage real photo postcards feature British film actress Ivy Close (1890-1968). Miss Close acted in 44 films between 1912 and 1929.  Ivy Close was born in, and died in, England. Her first husband was a well known photographer and film maker. His name was Elwin Neame (1885-1923) and he and Close established “Ivy Close Films” in 1914. The couple had two sons and both went into the movie business. Close was married a second time in 1938. Her second husband was Curly Batson, an Australian stuntman and make-up artist. If you think that she is quite beautiful, join the club. In 1908, she was named the “World’s Most Beautiful Woman” by Britain’s Daily Mirror. She beat over 1500 competitors for the title of Britain’s beauty queen. In 1916, the actress came to the US and made twelve films for the Kalem Company in New York. Close had some interesting hobbies. She motorcycled, golfed, served as an advertising model, and sang in English music halls. Upon the arrival of “talkies”, Close’s acting career came to a screeching halt. It was decided by higher-ups that her English accent was unacceptable to American audiences.

Postcard 1 was printed in Britain and was part of the Lilywhite Photographic Series (no. C M 404D). 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.  (SOLD)

Postcard 2 was published by C. W. Faulkner & Co. The postcard publishing company was headquartered in London. (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

Published in: on March 13, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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CORINNE GRIFFITH : AMERICAN FILM ACTRESS, PRODUCER, AUTHOR, & BUSINESSWOMAN

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

This vintage real photo postcard features Corinne Griffith, an American film actress, producer, author, and businesswoman. Besides being talented, she was considered to be one of the most beautiful actresses of the silent film era.

Postcard 1 was published as part of the Picturegoer Series (No.97). This postcard has a crease in it’s top left corner and is in overall fair condition.  (see scans).

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5356

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$11.85

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 5356

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$20.99

Postcard 2 was published by Ross Verlag. Miss Griffith’s photo was taken by Defina. 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. Griffith was under contract with First National between 1923 and 1932.  (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

Published in: on March 9, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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VERENA : EARLY PERFORMER AT FOLIES BERGERE : BELLE EPOQUE : REUTLINGER : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features Verena, an enchanting and seductive performer captured by the lens of renowned photographer, Leopold Reutlinger. She has long dark cascading hair and she exudes an aura of mystery. Adorned with a feather boa, she reveals a bare shoulder, adding sensuality to this portrait. Verena was one of the early performers at the Folies Bergere. This postcard is part of a series (no.0450). SOLD

Published in: on March 7, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CECILIA LOFTUS : BROADWAY AND FILM ACTRESS : SHAKESPEARE : STAGE BEAUTY : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features a stage beauty named Cecilia Loftus (1876-1943). She was a Scottish actress, singer, mimic, vaudevillian, and music hall performer. Her career spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was a product of parents who were performers. Her father was a member of a successful variety group and her mother was an actress, music hall performer, and burlesque star. At age seventeen, Cecilia (Cissy) made her debut at the Oxford Music Hall in London. She began her career in Music Halls and then appered in musical comedy at the Gaiety Theatre. In 1894, she appeared in Vaudeville at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City. She joined the Ada Rehan Company, and then the Augustin Daly Company. In 1898, she began to appear in legitimate theatre. She toured with actor Sir Henry Irving. In 1905 she had success appearing in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”. Later that same year, she received much acclaim for her portrayal of Peter Pan. Loftus had a successful career in burlesque as well as on Broadway. The IBDb credits Loftus with appearing in 39 different Broadway productions between 1900 and 1941. Many of her roles were in Shakespeare plays. She also appeared in 14 films from the 1910’s to the 1940’s. Cecilia had a tumultous personal life. She eloped at 17 with an Irish writer, twice her age. The marriage failed. In 1908 she married an American doctor. Within six years, her marriage and health were in bad shape. She divorced her husband. Healthwise, she became dependent on alcohol and pain killers. In 1922, she was arrested for possession of morphine. She received probation from an English court and in 1923, she permanantly left Great Britain and returned to New York City to pursue her career on Broadway and in Hollywood.  The message on this postcard is very interesting. It is a note from a daughter to her mother. Although it is only a hypothesis, the daughter appears to be at the Good Shepherd Convent, in Cork, Ireland. This vintage postcard was published by the Rotary Photo Company as part of a series (no.235 E).  SOLD

Published in: on March 1, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CAROL OHMART : FILM AND TELEVISION ACTRESS : THE NEXT MARILYN MONROE : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features American actress and model, Carol Ohmart (1927-2002). She appeared in many films and television shows from the early 1950’s until the 1970’s.  She appeared in a number of well known horror films. She was born to a Mormon family in Utah. In 1946 she competed for and won the title of Miss Utah. She placed fourth in the Miss America contest. She then launched a modelling career. Paramount Pictures signed her in 1955 and promoted her as “the next Marilyn Monroe”. This postcard portrait, produced for Paramount in 1956, clearly is an example of Paramount’s attempt to market Ohmart’s resemblance to Marilyn Monroe. She made her film debut in “The Scarlet Hour” (1956). She then began appearing in television shows and in several horror films including “House on Haunted Hill” (1959). Her last film appearance was in 1974. In 1973, while filming for “Barnaby Jones”, she was attacked on the street by three men. She sustained significant injuries for which she was prescribed painkillers. This led to a several year struggle with addiction to prescription drugs. After acting, she studied New Age philosophy and spiritualism, and wrote poetry and short stories. Ohmart was married three times. She was married for only two years in both her first and second marriages. Her third marriage had a duration of 22 years and ended upon her death. This postcard was published by Kores, a French company. The card is part of a series (#786). The series is comprised of 100 postcard portraits. (SOLD)

Published in: on February 24, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CHRYSIS IN THE OPERA “APHRODITE” : PHOTO BY REUTLINGER : UNION POSTAL UNIVERSELLE

This vintage real photo postcard features an actress playing the role of “Chrysis” in the opera “Aphrodite”. The opera is based on the French novel, “Aphrodite : Ancient Morals”, by Pierre Louys. The story is set in Alexandria and tells the story of Chrysis, a courtesan, and the sculptor Demetrios. Chrysis is beautiful and she knows it. She uses her beauty and skill to win the devotion and subservience of men. All the women in town worship Demetrios. He actually preferred his statue of the goddess Aphrodite, over his lover and the other women in town. There is only one woman in town who is not interested in Demetrios. The story goes on from there. The photograph of Chrysis seen on this postcard, was taken by the celebrated photographer, Leopold Reutlinger. He photographed many actresses and beautiful models. The Reutlinger studio was located in Paris, and was highly esteemed. Printed near the top of the postcard are the words “Union Postale Universelle”. The Universal Postal Union was established by the Treaty of Bern (1874) and it’s mission was to coordinates postal policies between member nations. The Union still exists today and is a specialized agency of the United Nations. This postcard is color tinted and is part of a series (no.2239). SOLD

Published in: on February 21, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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GABRIELLE REJANE : FRENCH THEATER & FILM ACTRESS : RPPC

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

rejane

POSTCARD 2

Nadar,_Félix_-_Gabrielle_Réjane_(1856-1920)CABINET CARD 1

Postcard 1 features French theater and film actress, Gabrielle Rejane. This was the stage name employed by Gabrielle-Charlotte Reju (1856-1920). She was born in Paris and had theatre in her blood as her father was an actor. She studied under Regnier at the Conservatoire and excelled in comedy. She made her debut in 1875 playing a number of “soubrette parts. Her first major success was in Meilhac’s “Ma Camarade (1883) and she quickly became known as a talented emotional actress. She played roles in “Decor”, “Ma Cousine”, and “Lysistrata”. In 1892 she married M. Paul Porel, the director of the Theatre du Vaudeville. The marriage lasted twelve years. In 1893 she appeared in Paris and soon thereafter she appeared in her most famous role as Catherine in Sardou’s “Madame Sans-Gene” in London and New York. In 1906 she opened the Theatre Rejane in Paris. She and Sarah Bernhardt served as the models for the character of the actress Berma in Marcel Proust’s novel “In Search of Lost Time”. Gabrielle Rejane’s acting is thought to represent what wikipedia describes as “the essence of French vivacity and animated expression”. Rejane appeared in a number of short films during the pioneering days of early cinema. Réjane died in Paris and is buried in the Cimetiere de Passy. Her obituary appeared in the New York Times (1920) and it was chock full of praise including; “She was the supreme comedienne of her time.” The image of Me. Rejane seen on this postcard was taken by celebrated and talented Paul Nadar (1856-1939).He was a French photographer. He learned photography by his father, Felix Nadar, also a talented portraitist. Paul eventually ran his father’s studio. The establishment catered to a affluent clientele and was very successful. The word “Eclair” appears in the bottom right hand corner of the photo. The Eclair Company was a movie production company established in 1907 and headquartered in Paris.  (SOLD)

Postcard 2 features French theatre actress Gabrielle Rejane standing on the sideboard of her chauffeur driven limousine. A little boy (most likely her son) peaks over her shoulder at the camera. The car in this photograph is beautiful, as was Rejane. The image of Me. Rejane seen on this postcard was photographed by Paul Boyer (1861-1908) of Paris. He invented the use of magnesium for the flash in photography. He also was a very talented and award winning photographer. His studio was located at 35 Boulevard des Capucines in Paris. He produced many portraits of theater actors and actresses as well as other celebrities of his time. This postcard was published by Societe Industrielle de Photograpie (SIP) of Rueil, France and was part of a series (no. 2000).The postcard is addressed to Lyons, France and the writer of the message written on the card dated it 1908. This postcard is particularly special because it is a rare image of Gabrielle Rejane.

The photograph seen on Cabinet Card 1 was taken by celebrated photographer Felix Nadar. Rejane is quite pretty and very fashionable in this portrait. Judging by the address on the bottom of the cabinet card, it appears that Nadar’s studio was inside a hotel. 

 

Postcard 1 (SOLD)

rejane 1

Postcard 2

Published in: on February 13, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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PORTRAITS OF EVELYN MILLARD: SHAKESPEARIAN STAGE ACTRESS (VINTAGE RPPC)

CABINET CARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1  (SOLD)

millard 2

POSTCARD 2  (SOLD)

millard

POSTCARD 3  (SOLD)

MILLARD 4                                                                                                                                                                                                                               POSTCARD 4  (SOLD)

 Cabinet Card 1 was photographed by W & D Downy, located in London, England. This studio was well known and highly respected in England. They advertised themselves as photographers specially appointed to photograph the imperial and royal families of Europe.   SOLD

 Postcard 1 features  a portrait of English stage actress Evelyn Millard (1869-1941). She was well known for her acting in Shakespearian theater as well as for her beauty. She is also noted for creating the role of Cecily Cardewin in the premier of Oscar Wildes play “The Importance of Being Earnest” (1895). This postcard was produced by the Rotary Photo Company of London, England.  (SOLD)

    Postcard 2 is a portrait of Miss Millard taken by the Davidson Brothers studio in London, England. The postcard is part of a series (“Real Photographic Series” no. 2195). Davidson Brothers was located in both London and New York City. The firm operated between 1901 and 1911. Some of their theatrical postcard portraits have the same format as many of the Rotograph photo cards.  This postcard was postmarked in South Lambeth in 1907. Lambeth is a district in Central London. The writer of the message on this postcard starts the communication with “Dear Lizzie, I think this is one of your favorites”. Most likely the writer was stating that Evelyn Millard was one of the favorite actresses of the recipient of the postcard. Collecting postcard images of theatrical stars was certainly quite popular at the time this postcard was written. (SOLD)

The third postcard is color tinted and was produced by the Rotary Postcard Co. as part of the Rotary Photographic Series ( no. 191G). The photographer was T. C. Turner who operated studios in London and Hull, England. Thomas Charles Turner (1839-1896) operated his London studio between 1870 and 1900. Millard is clearly in costume for this portrait. Note her unusual pin. It looks like a multi-eyed horror movie insect. This vintage postcard is in very good condition (see scans).  (SOLD)

Postcard number four is rare. Miss Millard looks quite beautiful and is dressed in an exquisite gown. Note, that unlike most of her other portrait postcards, Evelyn has blonde hair. Most of her photo postcards show her with dark hair. It is very possible, even likely, that she is wearing a wig in this portrait. 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. This postcard was published by J. Beagles & Co. of London, England. The postcard is part of a series (no. G 511.P). The “G” is an abbreviation for “glossy”. There was also a matte version of this postcard portrait. John Beagles (1844-1909) was born in England. At age 17 he was a “pupil teacher”. In the census of 1891, he is listed as a “photographic publisher” in Nottingham. Later he established J. Beagles & Co. in London. He and his successors produced a variety of postcards including an extensive catalog of celebrity (stage and screen) portrait postcards. The firm also published topographic and view cards, as well as a series called “Matrimonial Cats”. After Beagle’s death, the business continued as J. Beagles & Co. until it closed in 1939.  (SOLD)

                                                                   POSTCARD  1

millard 2 1

                                                                       POSTCARD 2

millard3                                                                   POSTCARD 3

                                                                                                MILLARD 4 2        POSTCARD 4

Cabinet Card 1

Published in: on February 11, 2024 at 12:45 pm  Comments (1)  
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1st DOROTHY IN WIZARD OF OZ : ANNA LAUGHLIN :AMERICAN STAGE & SILENT FILM STAR

This vintage real photo postcard features American stage and silent film actress, Anna Laughlin (1885-1937). One of her major claims to fame is that she was the first actress to play Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. She was born in California and began her stage career as a “child elocutionist” (public speaker). At age six, she started acting in vaudeville and later, in touring theater companies. When she was a young teenager, she began appearing on Broadway. In 1900, she was in the Belle of Bohemia and in 1903 she performed in the Wizard of Oz. According to the IBDb, Laughlin appeared in eight Broadway shows between 1900 and 1914. The IMDb reports that Laughlin acted in 14 silent films between 1913 and 1915. She is most well known for her roles in “Northern Lights” (1914), “The Greyhound” (1914), “The Amazing Mr. Fellman” (1915) and “What Happened to Father” (1915). She quit show business in 1915 to focus on raising her daughter. Laughlin was married in 1904 (age about 19) to a jeweler. She was widowed in 1925. Laughlin’s daughter became a noted singer. Anna Laughlin died by suicide in 1937. Her cause of death was gas poisoning. She turned the gas on in her apartment because she was very depressed about being estranged from her daughter. They had previously been very close. According to the IMDb, the following words were found in her three page suicide note. “This is good-bye. People are dreadful. I love my child. I have given all I have in the world to put her where she is now … Lucy is never coming back. I am so afraid. Where did I fail?” This postcard was published in Germany by NPG (Neue Photographische Gesellschaft) as part of a series (no.1098). A. G. Steglitz is also listed as a publisher. The postcard is an “Oranotypie” and was published in 1904. An oranotype is a trade name for a type of glossy real photo postcard published by NPG. The company was a leading bromide photo printing company for many years at the beginning of the 20th century. This card has a French stamp and was postmarked in 1907. SOLD

Published in: on February 5, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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FFOLLIOTT PAGET : ENGLISH STAGE ACTRESS : PHOTO BY BENJAMIN FALK : BROADWAY : RARE CABINET CARD

Benjamin J. Falk, New York City theatrical photographer, produced this cabinet card portrait of English actress FFolliott Paget. She is dressed to look her best; wearing pearls and a fur coat. Ms Paget appeared in fourteen Broadway plays including “What Every Woman Knows” ((1908-1909) and “The Rivals” (1912). This cabinet card has an extremely minor curl, corner wear (top left), and is in overall  good condition (see scans). Cabinet Card photographs of Ffolliott Paget are very uncommon. 

5896-1

Buy this Cabinet Card Photograph (includes shipping within the US) #5896

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$36.00

5896-3

Buy this Vintage Original Cabinet Card (includes International shipping outside the US) #5896

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$46.00

Published in: on January 26, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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