B. RUTKOVSKAYA : RUSSIAN ACTRESS : PERFORMING IN “JEALOUSY” : NEZLOBINS THEATER

This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty Russian actress. The previous owner of this card identified the actress as Bronislava Rutkovskaya (1880-1969). She appeared in a number of Russian silent films. She also was a dancer. This photo postcard captures Miss Rutkovskaya as she appeared in the play “Jealousy” at the Nezlobins Theater. This postcard was published by Richard (St. Petersburg}. The photographer was M. Bielovsky. This postcard portrait is in good condition (see scans).           

5087_0001-1

Buy this Real Photo Vintage Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5087

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$17.50

5087_0001-2

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #5087

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$27.50

Published in: on July 1, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ETHEL CADMAN : BRITISH COMIC OPERA STAR : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features British actress, Ethel Cadman. She appears to be in costume. Theater Magazine (1910) did a profile of her when she came to the United States to perform in the Broadway production of “The Arcadians”. Critics who saw her perform in the play, considered her as one of the sweetest singers that England had ever sent to America. At the time, she was just 24 years old. Her musical ability and her grace created instant popularity in New York. The article notes that when Cadman left for America, her mother was extremely ill with influenza. Her mother encouraged Cadman to leave and predicted great success was awaiting her on this tour. The plan was for her mother to follow her to the US when she regained her health. When Cadman arrived in New York, she learned that her mother had died. The article states that Cadman inherited her “lark like” voice and musical talent from her mother who was a choir singer. At age eleven, she sang from “The Messiah” at a country church. She received her musical training from the Guild Hall Music school. Her professional debut was with the Mudie Manners Opera Company. She spent seven months in the chorus but then was elevated to become a prima dona. She performed in a number of operas until she met theatrical producer, George Edwardes, who introduced her to comic operas. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.4368E). The photographer who took Cadman’s portrait was Langfier. This postcard is unused and in good condition (see scans).  SOLD

Published in: on June 16, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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LEILA NEGRA : FILM ACTRESS : SINGER : NURSE : TEDDY BEAR : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features German born film actress, singer, and nurse, Leila Negra (1930-). She looks adorable posing with her teddy bear. She spent the beginning of her career as a child film actress in the 1940’s, became a singer post World War II, and in the late 1950’s, she became a nurse. Her father was a British sailor who emigrated there from Ghana. He was not involved raising Leila. Her mom was the daughter of a white German woman and a Creole man from Martinique. Due to her mothers family not accepting the birth of Leila, her mother placed Leila in an orphanage where she remained for the first three years of her life. Her mother took her from the orphanage and moved to Hamburg to be near Leila’s grandmother. Leila’s mom worked as a musician. When Leila was ten years old, her mother died from a botched abortion. Leila’s parenting was taken over by her grandmother. Growing up, Leila was exposed to horrible racism. The Nazis ended her education and placed her into forced labor in a factory. Her film career was initiated by Joseph Goebbels, Germany’s Minister of Propaganda. He was recruiting black children to play African natives in government UFA films. Her film debut was in “Munchhausen” (1943). The IMDb credits her with six film appearances. In 1957, she began training as a nurse. Nursing became her second career. This vintage postcard portrait was published by Veb Volkskunstverl. The firm was located in Reichenbach, Germany. Leila was photographed for this postcard by the Bruggemann studio, located in Leipzig, Germany. SOLD

Published in: on June 13, 2023 at 8:05 pm  Leave a Comment  
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FABIENNE : PRETTY STAGE STAR : PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL BOYER : COLOR TINTED

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)
POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)
POSTCARD 3 (SOLD)
POSTCARD 4 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 5 (SOLD)

Postcard 1 features lovely edwardian stage performer, Fabienne Darlay. Her photograph was expertly taken by the celebrated French photographer, Paul Boyer (1861-1908). He was based in Paris, and photographed many celebrities during his career. This postcard was published by Societe Industrielle de Photograpie (SIP) of Rueil, France, and was part of a series (no.1441). The image was hand tinted. This postcard dates back to circa 1904-1908. Note there is minor cornerwear and a light crease in the upper left hand corner of the card. (SOLD)

Postcard 2 was published by Societe Industrielle de Photograpie (SIP) of Rueil, France, and was part of a series (no.1441). This image was hand tinted. This postcard dates back to circa 1904-1908. (SOLD)

Postcard 3 features another photograph by Paul Boyer and this postcard was also published by SIP as part of a series (No.1441). The image was hand tinted. This postcard was postmarked in 1906. (SOLD)

Postcard 4 was published by Societe Industrielle de Photograpie (SIP) of Rueil, France, and was part of a series (no.1441). The image was hand tinted. This postcard was postmarked in 1906.  (SOLD)

Postcard 5 was published by Societe Industrielle de Photograpie (SIP) of Rueil, France, and was part of a series (no.1441). The image was hand tinted. This postcard has a 1907 postmark.  (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)
POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)
POSTCARD 3 (SOLD)
POSTCARD 4 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 5 (SOLD)

Published in: on June 1, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MAY FRIS : PRETTY DANCER : MEMBER OF THE TILLER GIRLS DANCE TROUPE : RPPC

This lovely vintage real photo postcard features dancer and postcard model, May Fris. Fris was a member of the very popular Tiller Girl woman’s dance troupe. The group began in London in the 1890’s and kept growing until there were dozens of Tiller Girl troupes spread around the world. Variety Magazine described the Tiller Troupe of Girls as very American, even though they were English; and that they were “good to look upon, well dressed and a good show”.  This postcard was published by Georg Gerlach & Co. as part of a series (306/2). The firm was a real photo card publisher and printer based in Berlin, Germany. (SOLD)

Published in: on May 31, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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GRACE ELLISTON : STAGE ACTRESS : BROADWAY STAR : UNCOMMON : RPPC

This uncommon vintage real photo postcard features American theater actress, Grace Elliston (c1881-1950). Her original name was “Grace Rutter” and that is the name used in the caption seen on this postcard. Elliston was a noted Broadway actress. The IBDb reveals that she appeared in 22 Broadway shows between 1899 and 1922. Her plays included “The Ambassador” (1900),  “Her Husband’s Wife” (1910), “The Country Cousin” (1917) ” and a number of productions of Shakespeare. Elliston appeared with many noted performers including Julia Marlowe, Ethel Barrymore, William Farnum, and Viola Allen. She appeared in one silent film, “Black Fear” (1915). Elliston was a native of Memphis, Tennessee and came to New York as a young woman and went to work as a chorus girl. A successful Broadway career followed. This postcard was published by Rapid Photo as part of a series (no.1084). The card was printed in London. This vintage photo portrait postcard is in good condition (see scans).

Buy this Vintage Original Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5053

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$19.00

Buy this Vintage Original Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #5053

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$29.00

Published in: on May 20, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CHRISTA TORDY : GERMAN FILM STAR : MURDERED BY THE RUSSIAN RED ARMY : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features German film actress, Christa Tordy (1904-1945). She was the cousin of silent film star Mady Christians. In fact, she was “discovered” while visiting her cousin who was working on a film at the time. Tordy was a leading star in German film but she abruptly ended her screen career after marrying celebrated actor, Harry Liedtke. He was twenty years her senior. Tordy and her husband were murdered at their home by the Russian Red Army during its invasion of Germany in World War II. Tordy must have been a very bright woman based on her educational resume. She graduated high school at seventeen and then moved on to college in Berlin and Munich where she studied art history, archaeology, philosophy and literature. When she completed her academic studies, she was awarded a doctorate. While in school she also took part in student theater. Tordy’s film debut was in 1926. The IMDb reports that she had eight film appearances between 1926 and 1928. Her final film was “Love on Skis” and she costarred in the film with her husband. Tordy and Liedtke met a tragic end at the hands of the Red Army. Liedtke was clubbed to death trying to defend his wife from violence and rape. Before their murder, the pair had attempted suicide. This card was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.1947/1). Tordy’s photograph was taken by Rembrandt. (SOLD)

Published in: on May 18, 2023 at 5:06 pm  Leave a Comment  
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RISQUE PORTRAIT OF MARTINE CAROL, FRANCE’S ANSWER TO MARILYN MONROE AND PREDECESSOR TO BRIGETTE BARDOT

This postcard is a vintage real photo card featuring stunning French actress, Martine Carol (1920-1967). She was France’s major sex symbol of the early 1950’s. “Sex Symbol” is an awful term, but it certainly was spoken without much controversy when this postcard was published. Her popularity was short term. She was succeeded by another beautiful French actress, Brigitte Bardot. Little is known about Carol’s childhood. A random encounter with French film and stage actor, Andre Luguet, led her to seek a career in the theatre. She made her stage debut in 1940. Her first film role was in Wolf Farm (1943) and although she was a photogenic beauty and was at ease in front of the camera; her acting ability was limited. Throughout the 1940’s Martine acted in supporting roles and became a popular pin-up. She also appeared in stage roles. Martine was often considered the French version of American actress, Marilyn Monroe. After an affair with married actor Georges Marechal ended poorly, Martine attempted suicide by overdosing on alcohol and drugs, and jumping into the Seine River. The taxi cab driver that took her to the river, rescued her. The unhappy business of her suicide attempt resulted in renewed fan interest in the actress. In 1950, she had her first major film success in “Caroline Cherie”. At least part of her success was attributed to her semi-nude scenes and displays of “seductive sexuality”. She continued to appear in several films that IMDb refers to as  “costumed teasers”. Her last popular role was starring in “Lola Montes” (1955). Later roles failed to peak moviegoers interests and Martine became depressed. A severe accident, and substance abuse in the 1960’s, sabotaged her career. At age 46, Martine died of cardiac arrest in the bathroom of a Monaco hotel. News accounts suggested that she died of a drug overdose but the story was never confirmed. Martine was married and divorced three times and left her fourth husband a widower. Her longest marriage was just short of five years duration. An interesting side note is that she was once kidnapped by French gangster, Pierre Loutrel (AKA Crazy Pete). The kidnapping was brief, and the kidnapper sent her roses the next day as a gesture of apology. Martine Carol’s filmography, according to IMDb, includes 50 film credits between 1941 and 1967. The photographer of this portrait photo is Sam Levin (1904-1992). He was born in the Ukraine but emigrated to France when he was two years of age. He is famous for his stage photographs and his portraits of movie stars. His studio was in Paris. Levin was a film photographer for 75 films. He was arrested by the Nazis during World War II and was sent to a camp. His crime was, being Jewish. The fact that he was sent to a detention camp rather than a death camp, indicates there was a high ranking Nazi official acting as his guardian angel. He photographed nearly all the major French and European movie stars of the 1950’s and 1960’s. He is particularly celebrated for his photos of Brigitte Bardot. Levin did over 180 magazine covers in the United States. This postcard was published by the Globe Edition (Paris) and is part of a series (no. 132). The card is in good condition (see scans). SOLD

Published in: on May 15, 2023 at 4:06 pm  Leave a Comment  
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LAURA RUSSELL : PRETTY PERFORMER : METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART : UNCOMMON RPPC

This uncommon vintage real photo postcard features actress, Laura Russell.  Very little biographical information about Miss Russell could be found during my preliminary research. I was able to find her image on three different tobacco cards. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has at least two of them in their collection. This is an undivided back postcard. It was likely published between 1901 and 1908. The card was published by Neue Photographische Gesellschaft AG,(Berlin) as part of a series (No.A 14). This portrait postcard is in very good condition (see scans). 

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Buy this Vintage Original Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5043

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$26.00

5043_0001-2

Buy this Vintage Original Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #5043

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$35.00

Published in: on May 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MISS FYFE ALEXANDER : BRITISH ACTRESS : THE BLUNDERS OF A BASHFUL MAN : 1906

“The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (1903) has a short article about Miss Fyfe Alexander. The magazines theater critic writes about her after seeing her perform in J M Barrie’s comedy “Little Mary”. The writer describes Alexander as “a pretty and charming young actress” and “she has the good qualities that go towards the making of a good actress, and is likely to take a prominent place in her profession”. She was not yet twenty years old at the time of this review. The article also reveals that Alexander was from a theatrical family and that she made her stage debut in 1901. The message on this postcard is interesting. The writer states that “Oh! How the tears did come” when she read a book entitled “The Blunders of a Bashful Man” (1881). This postcard was published by Rapid Photo and Miss Alexander’s photo was taken by female photographer, Lizzie Caswall Smith. The card was postmarked in 1906.  (SOLD)

Published in: on April 25, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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