BLANCHE SWEET : SILENT FILM ACTRESS : 161 FILM CREDITS : BY FRED HARTSOOK : 1917

Blanche Sweet (1896-1986) was an American silent film actress. Her mother was a dancer and her father was a wine merchant. Blanche began show business at an early age. At age four she was performing with a touring company with stars, Marie Burroughs and Maurice Barrymore. At age thirteen, she was working at Biograph Studios under contract with D. W. Griffith. She became known as “The Biograph Blonde”. In 1914, Sweet moved to Paramount (Famous Players – Lasky). Paramount had offered her more money than Biograph could pay. During the 1910’s, Sweet appeared in several prominet film roles and kept her place as a popular leading lady. She played in a number of Cecil B. DeMille films. She and Marshall Neilan (actor, director, producer, screen writer) had an affair which led to Neilan obtaining a divorce and marrying young Blanche. She was about 16 years old. The marriage ended in 1929 because Neilan was an alleged philanderer. When “talkies” began, Sweets career suffered causing her to retire in 1930. The IMDb lists 161 film credits in Blanche’s filmography. Her post film career included radio work and non major Broadway roles. When job offers dissipated, she began working in a Los Angeles department store. She later worked with historians and gave lectures about the early days of Hollywood. This photo portrait of Miss Sweet was taken by American photographer, Fred Hartsook (1876-1930). He owned a chain of California studios described as “the largest photographic business in the world” at that time. The photo was taken circa 1917. Hartsook photographed many silent film stars as well as Woodrow Wilson during his Presidency. This vintage postcard’s AZO stamp box indicates that the postcard was published sometime between 1910 and 1930. This postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

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Published in: on June 12, 2022 at 1:24 pm  Leave a Comment  
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TESSIE HACKNEY : BRITISH STAGE ACTRESS : PHOTO BY RITA MARTIN : (1907)

This vintage real photo postcard features English musical comedy actress, Tessie Hackney (1885-1967). Tessie was the daughter of a butcher. In 1913, she married a Commander in the Royal Navy. She played important roles in “The New Aladdin” (1906), “The Girls of Gottenberg” (1907), “The Hon’ble Phi”l (1908), and “A Persian Princess” (1909). Her sister, Mary Hackney, was also a musical comedy performer. There are two photographs of Tessie Hackney in Britain’s National Portrait Gallery. In one of these images, Hackney appears in the same costume as the one she wears in this postcard. The portrait of Miss Hackney seen on this postcard was taken by famed female celebrity photographer, Rita Martin. SOLD

Published in: on June 4, 2022 at 1:08 pm  Comments (2)  
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FLORENCE TURNER : SILENT FILM STAR : ACTRESS : VITAGRAPH : POSTCARD

This vintage postcard features a portrait of Florence Turner (1885-1946). She was an American silent film actress known as the “Vitagraph Girl”. She was born in New York City. She began performing on the stage at age three, thanks to a zealous stage mom. In 1906 she was signed by Vitagraph studios to a film contract. She made her movie debut in “How to Cure a Cold” (1907). She became the studio’s leading box office draw. As time went by, more actresses became well known throughout the movie industry. Turner’s popularity waned and in 1913 she moved to England and began performing in music halls. Part of her schtick was impersonating celebrities of the day. Apparently, she had much talent as an impersonator. While in England, she set up her own production company (Turner Films). She wrote screenplays and directed films. In 1924 she returned to the US and pursued acting. She was no longer seen as a film star and she played supporting roles during the 1930’s.  Turner has 197 credits to her name, between 1907 and 1943. This postcard was published by the Ess an Ess Photo Company, located in New York City. (SOLD)

Published in: on June 2, 2022 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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LORRAINE DREUX : PRETTY STAGE ACTRESS : DIES YOUNG AND TRAGICALLY : CABINET CARD

This cabinet card is a portrait of theatre actress, Lorraine Dreux. The  image is part of the Newsboy Series (#385) and was published in New York City. The Newsboy series was used for advertising purposes by the Newsboy Tobacco Company. Celebrity photographs were given away as premiums upon the sale of tobacco products. Ms. Dreux looks like she ran through the woods in order to arrive at the photography studio in a timely fashion. She has twigs and leaves on her head and even is wearing a necklace of branches around her shoulders. It seems she is modeling “the natural” look. Her eyes are looking upward, as if to say, “Am I really wearing sticks and leaves?”. Who was Lorraine Dreux? The Illustrated America (1893) describes her as “young and pretty, with soft dark eyes, a tremulous little mouth, and a dazzling complexion”. She was born in Marquette, Michigan, of well to do parents. Her father did a great deal of business in the East and she spent much time on the banks of the Hudson River in New York. She was educated at home by a governess supervised by Dreux’s beautiful mother. She decided that she wanted to be an actress while in her early teens. Her parents reluctantly gave her permission and her first experience acting occurred while she was in London, England, with her mother. She was engaged by Mr Charles Wyndham to play comedy parts in London stage shows. She next joined the London Globe Theatre Stock Company playing sentimental roles. She then joined an English traveling theatre company. She soon returned to America and appeared in a number of plays, including “Ninety Days” with William Gillette. The article closes with the prediction that Dreux would be a successful actress in America because she possessed both beauty and talent. The New York Times (1894) reported on Dreaux’s appearance in “Lem Kettle” at the Bijou theatre. She also appeared in “Rush City” (1894) which was staged in Brooklyn (New York), and also in “Nance Oldfield” (1896) in New York. Dreux appeared in one Broadway production, “The Spectator” (1896). The New York Dramatic Mirror (1908) reported the tragic death of Lorraine Dreux. She was described as a well known and capable leading women of many stock companies outside of New York City. She died in New York’s Bellvue Hospital at age 35. The article reports that she “had fallen on evil days” and was “too proud to let her friends know of her plight”. She let an illness go till it turned  into acute pneumonia which led to her death. Her last two engagements were in Worcester, Massachusetts and Rochester, New York. She received excellent reviews for her acting in both productions. However, her wardrobe was stolen and she was criticized for the way she dressed for her part in Rochester. She returned home “down hearted and discouraged” and sick, penniless and homeless. She met an old friend on the streets of New York who took her home to be fed and cared for but her condition worsened. A collection was made from other actors and actresses and the money was used to admit her to Bellvue Hospital where she died. Aid from the Actors Fund paid for her funeral and burial at Evergreen Cemetery. (SOLD)

Published in: on May 22, 2022 at 5:39 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MISS WATT : PERFORMER AT LA SCALA : PHOTO BY WALERY : FANCY COSTUME : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features performer, Miss Watt.. The title on the card indicates that Miss Watt performed at the La Scala in Paris, France. Miss Watt was photographed in costume. This photo portrait was taken by Walery at his Paris studio. He was a well known and talented celebrity photographer. (SOLD)

Published in: on May 21, 2022 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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GABRIELLE ROBINNE: BEAUTIFUL, TALENTED, AND POPULAR FRENCH ACTRESS

POSTCARD 1
POSTCARD 1

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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 3488

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$32.89

POSTCARD 2   (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2   (SOLD)

 
POSTCARD 3
POSTCARD 3
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Anyone who collects vintage theatrical/film actress postcards, is very familiar with the subject of this real photo postcard. Gabrielle Robinne (1886-1980) is an actress that was widely photographed. The reason for the production of so many postcards featuring Miss Robinne is that she was very popular during her era. Certainly, one of the reasons for her popularity, was her great beauty. Robinne was born in France and was a student at the Paris Conservatory. In 1904 she joined the company of Sarah Bernhardt and later joined the Theatre Michel in St. Petersburg, Russia. Her career soared when she began performing at the Comedie-Francaise in 1907. She remained with the company until 1938. She made her film debut in the 1906 production of “Le troubadour”. Two years later she had her first huge success in “L’assassinat du Duc de Guise” (1908). She is considered by many to be the first French star of the silent film era. She charmed her audiences with her beauty and excellent acting. Gabrielle Robinne shared her time between stage and film. The IMDb reports that she appeared in nearly fifty films between 1906 and 1973.She was known for “Conquered Hate” (1913,) “Struggle for Life” (1914), and “La reine de Saba” (1913). Robinne was married to actor Rene Alexandre from 1912 until she was widowed in 1946. Her work in the theater and film was recognized by France when she was made an Officer of the Legion of Honor, the highest French order of Merit. 

Postcard 1  was published by Societe Industrielle de Photograpie (SIP) of Rueil, France and was part of a series (no. 1342). The photographer of Robinne’s portrait seen on this postcard was Leopold Reutlinger (1863-1937). He was a leading photographer of his time and was, and is, renowned for his photographs of celebrities and beautiful women. This vintage postcard was postmarked in 1905, It has a French stamp. This postcard is in very good condition (see scans). 

Postcard 2 was also published by Societe Industrielle de Photograpie (SIP) of Rueil, France and was part of a series (no. 1730). Once again,  Leopold Reutlinger (1863-1937) was the photographer. (SOLD)

Postcard 3 has a portrait of Robinne photographed by Leopold Reutlinger (1863-1937). He was a leading photographer of his time and was, and is, renowned for his photographs of celebrities and beautiful women. This postcard is part of a series (no.1282). This postcard is in fair condition (see scans).

Published in: on May 20, 2022 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ENGLISH STAGE ACTRESS: MISS MILLIE LINDEN

POSTCARD 1
POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)
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This vintage real photo postcard features English stage actress Miss Millie Linden. The actress was a popular photo postcard model judging by the number of postcards that display her portrait. However, research yielded little information about her. The New York Times (1907) reported that she had a supporting role in a show opening at the Colonial Theatre. The newspaper described Miss Linden as “an English singer who makes her debut in this country in songs”.

Postcard 1’s photo of Miss Linden was taken by the studio of Foulsham & Banfield. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo of England. Overall this postcard is in good condition (see scans). It is part of the Rotary Photographic Series (no.1981 E). This photo postcard is in good condition (see scans).

Postcard 2 features a portrait of Miss Linden taken by the studio of Foulsham & Banfield. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo of England. It is part of the Rotary Photographic Series (no.1981 B).   (SOLD)

Postcard 3 was published by the Philco Publishing Company of London, England. Philco published postcards between 1905 and 1934. The postcard is part of the Philco Series (no. 3161 D). The postcard has a 1907 postmark from Folkestone which is a port town on the English Channel in Kent, England.  

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$12.18

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$21.18

POSTCARD 1
POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)
linden-1
POSTCARD 3
Published in: on May 11, 2022 at 12:03 pm  Leave a Comment  
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LADY AT THE CROSS IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

This cabinet card requires some interpretation. A young woman is posed standing next to a cross. Her hand is touching the cross. She appears to be dressed in an outfit from another era, or perhaps she is wearing her night clothes. Where is the cross supposed to be located? Is it a gravestone in a cemetery? Is it a symbol outside a church? Another possibility is that the woman is an actress and the image shown originates from her role in a play. The photographic studio that produced this image,  is W. G. and A. J. Thuss, of Nashville, Tennessee. William Gustave Thuss (1854-1943) came to Nashville by 1875 and created several partnerships. He was partners with Charles Parel (1878), Emil Koellein (1880), and Thus, Koellein and Gierss 1883-1889). In 1889, William joined his brother Andrew Joseph Thuss (1866-1950) in starting their own studio. The pair prospered and photographed many of the dignitaries who lived in, or visited, Nashville. Work from the studio won many awards, and a studio was established in 1897 at the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. In 1917, the brothers split up. Each one operated what they called the “original” Thuss studio. The brothers relationship remained damaged for many years, illustrated by the report that when William Gustav Thuss  was on his death bed, his brother never visited him.   (SOLD)

Published in: on May 9, 2022 at 12:01 pm  Comments (1)  
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MISS LEONIE YAHNE : PRETTY FRENCH COMEDIC ACTRESS : PHOTO BY LEOPOLD REUTLINGER

This vintage real photo postcard features French comedic actress, Leonie Yahne (1867-1950). She spent most of her career acting on the stages of Paris. She was an active performer between 1884 and 1917. In 1895, she was drawn in a stage role by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. In 1913, Yahne appeared in a silent film short with actor, Max Linder. In 1911, Yahne was a victor in a lawsuit against a Paris entertainer named “Yane”. The lawsuit concerned the other actress using a name too similar to Yahne’s moniker.  Yahne was reported to be a society favorite who was expert with foils and horsemanship. It was also noted that Yahne’s driving style made her a terror on the roads of France. The photograph on this postcard was taken by celebrated portrait photographer, Leopold Reutlinger. His studio was located in Paris, France. He photographed many theatrical stars and other celebrities. SOLD

Published in: on May 7, 2022 at 12:39 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ADRIENNE AUGARDE : POPULAR ACTRESS IN BRITAIN & US : RPPC : (1906)

This vintage real photo postcard features English actress and singer, Adrienne Augarde (1882-1913). She was born in London. Her father was a violinist and her mother was a Belgian singer. Augarde had several other members of her extended family who were successful theatrical or music performers. Her popularity transcended beyond Great Britain to include the United States. In fact, she appeared in four Broadway plays between 1905 and 1912. These plays included “The Dollar Princess” (1909) which ran for 250 performances. She was most known for her roles in Edwardian musical comedy.  Augarde started her career at age sixteen. She did pantomine and appeared in small roles in musical comedy and opera. Her popularity began with her playing leading roles in the musicals of George Edwardes. She then starred in a number of long running productions in both London and New York (1903-1912). While on a Vaudeville tour in the US, she became ill and died after an unsuccessful appendectomy. She was thirty years of age at the time of her death. She died in Chicago. Her ashes were put in an urn designed to look like a make-up box. Her cremains were sent to her mother in England. This card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.4158B). The photograph was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio. The postcard has a 1906 postmark. (SOLD)

Published in: on May 3, 2022 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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