CARRIE PERKINS : RISQUE PHOTO : WORE THE TIGHTEST DRESSES IN VAUDEVILLE

The pretty woman seen in this cabinet card portrait is actress, Carrie Perkins. Her acting included productions on Broadway, as well as, appearances on the Burlesque and Vaudeville stage. One of Perkins’s claims to fame, is that she was considered to be the actress that wore the tightest fitting costumes in all of vaudeville. She appeared in much advertising such as premium cards for cigarette brands. The website, “Broadway Photographs” provides a biography of Miss Perkins. She is described as “a vaudevillian with a trim body and a smart tongue”. The site states that “she plied both the visual and verbal dimensions of entertainment”. Although she was known for her tight gowns, the biographer states that “it was her urban girl wit that won her a ticket to Broadway”. She became known to the theatrical world in Garrick’s burlesque “Thrilby” (1895). She wasn’t considered beautiful enough to play lead roles. Instead she played roles that showcased “feminine audacity”. She appeared in nineteen Broadway productions according to the Internet Broadway Database (IBDB). These appearances occurred between 1888 and 1911. These performances included “Jack and the Beanstalk (1898), “The Casino Girl” (1901), and “The Merry Shop Girl’s” (1905). Her final show was “The Fascinating Widow”. which was a touring production with the popular actor and female impersonator Julian Eltinge. There seems to be agreement that Perkins was long on personality and appearance, but short on talent. Perkins rarely received praise from theatre critics. She found her place on the stage as a supporting actress/dancer/singer. This cabinet card photograph was taken by the Sparks Photo-Publishing Company. The studio was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The artist/manager of the studio was Elliott Houseworth. The 1880 census lists Elliott A. Houseworth as being born in 1855, residing in San Francisco, California, and working as a photographer. Houseworth also appears in the 1900 census as living in Norwood, Pennsylvania and working as a manager. These demographics fit the photographer of this image, since Houseworth managed Sparks Photography Studio and Norwood is only about eleven miles from Philadelphia. A stamp on the reverse of the image states “Russell Brothers, 126 Tremont Street, Boston”. Perhaps the Russell Brothers were photograph collectors or a photo gallery that sold celebrity photographs. Photographs of Miss Perkins are rare and this image is beautiful remnant of turn of the century Broadway theater. SOLD

Published in: on April 6, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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MAUD D’ORBY : BEAUTIFUL COMIC OPERA STAR : RISQUE MODEL AND FASHION MODEL FOR THE MOST PROMINENT FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHERS

This vintage postcard features Spanish model and operetta star, Maud d’Orby (1851-1929). She performed during the Belle Epoque era. d’Orby was born in Valladolid, Spain. She began her career as a comic opera singer toward the end of the nineteenth century. It is unknown whether she performed in Spain, she only appeared in the French press from that period of time. She worked in Paris (theaters included La Cigale, Scala, Olympia, Lyric) and Brussels (Folies Bergere, Theatre du Vaudeville). She received praise for her acting talent and for her singing ability. She was described as having a “melodious cheerful voice”. She often played the role of “La Commere”. This role involved being the character who narrated the opera’s story and connected the adjacent scenes. One writer stated that she was successful in this role because of her “playful and cheerful way” and her “eye-catching appearance”. d’Orby was also a successful fashion and postcard model. She was photographed many times by Leopold Reutlinger. These photos were published in the most popular fashion magazines. She looked phenomenal in her beautiful clothes, large feathered hats, and magnificent jewelry. At the exhibition of 1900 in Brussels, her photographs were exhibited and well admired. d’Orby was also a model for Jean Agelou, a prominent photographer who specialized in taking erotic photos. The photographer of this postcard’s photo is also an esteemed lensman of his era. 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. The publisher of this postcard was CCCC (Charles Collas et Cie, Cognac). CCCC was established by Charles Collas (1866-1947) in Cognac, France. It began operating at the end of the 19th century as a bookstore and printing business. He began to produce postcards in 1894. The company also produced books and maps. By 1914, the publisher employed 500 people. CCCC postcards are cherished by serious collectors today. In 1914, the firm was taken over by Fleury & Cie. (SOLD)

Published in: on March 20, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MARAQUITA ROSTANO : A PRETTY DANCER (PHOTO BY GERLACH)

This vintage real photo postcard features dancer Maraquita Rostano. Although my research found other postcard images of Miss Rostano, I was unable to locate any biographical information. The postcard was published by Georg Gerlach & Co.. The firm was a real photo card publisher and printer based in Berlin, Germany. The postcard was part of a series (no725/3). The message on the card was written in 1910 and the card was addressed to En Ville (In Town). This postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

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Published in: on March 4, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MARIA VANONI: PRETTY STAGE ACTRESS AND SOMEBODY’S “TRUE FRIEND”

New York City celebrity photographer, Benjamin Falk, produced this photographic portrait of stage actress Maria Vanoni. The reverse of the cabinet card appears to be inscribed by the actress who wrote “Your true friend, Maria Vanoni”. Miss Vanoni received mention in Folio (1884) when she appeared in “Orpheus and Eurydice” as a member of the Miles & Bartons Opera Bouffe Company. She was described as “a graceful sprightly actress of the French school”. “Opera Bouffe”was a genre of late 19th century French operetta. This genre was known for its components of comedy, satire, parody, and farce. This cabinet card portrait is in good condition. Note the crease in the center right area of the image (see scans).  (SOLD)

Published in: on March 1, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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NELLY MARTYL : SINGER, NURSE, WAR HERO, AND PHILANTHROPIST

This vintage real photo postcard features French singer and nurse, Nelly Martyl (1884-1953). Nelly was born in Paris. Her mother was English and her father was French. She was trained as a singer at the Conservatoire de Paris. Martyl was a soprano opera singer in Paris who made her professional debut in 1907 at the Grand Opera in Paris. . She joined the Opera-Comique in 1909. She sang many parts there and performed in several premieres. She sang in London’s Covent Garden in 1910. She was a frequent model in fashion magazines (notably, Les Modes). She advertised gowns by famous Paris designers. She became a French heroine by working as a Red Cross nurse during World War I. She served in the 1916 Battle of Verdun and earned the nickname of “la fee de Verdun” (the fairy of Verdun). She also worked as a nurse during the Second Battle of the Aisne in 1917. She didn’t just do “cameo roles” at military hospitals. She heroically worked in dangerous, close to the front, hospitals. Her nursing career included being wounded and gassed several times. She was awarded the “Croix de Guerre” for her dangerous work during the war. After the war, she was a nurse to victims of the 1918 flu epidemic. Later, Martyl partnered with an automobile racecar driver in creating a charitable medical foundation Somehow, Nelly found time to have a personal life. She was married to French artist George Scott (1873-1942). This photo of Miss Martyl was taken by the studio of Boyer & Bert. Paul Boyer (1861-1908) operated his studio in Paris. He was very talented and won many awards. He produced many portraits of theater performers as well as other celebrities. This postcard was published by Societe Industrielle de Photograpie (SIP) of Rueil, France, as part of a series (no. 2075). It is in very good condition (see scans).

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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3418

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$22.00

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Published in: on February 18, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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LYDIA de ROSTOW : SHAPELY DANCER

This vintage real photo features dancer/actress Lydia de Rostow. She is dressed in a dance costume that accentuates her shapely figure. The photograph was taken by Felix studio, which was located in Paris, France. Luminous-Lint describes Felix as a “photographer of couture in the first decades of the 20th century in France”. He was an early fashion photographer who operated, according to Luminous-Lint, during two decades (1900-1920). The name “R Guilleminot” is printed on the reverse of the postcard. Guilleminot was a firm based in Paris that manufactured photographic plates and papers. Much of their photo paper was used for printing real photograph postcards. The company existed between 1858 and 1994. This vintage postcard portrait is in very good condition (see scans).

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3409

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$28.00

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$37.00

Published in: on February 10, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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DOLLY DAVIS : FRENCH SILENT AND SOUND FILM ACTRESS

Dolly Davis (1896-1962) was a French film actress. She is described by IMDb as very pretty and very “lively”. She was very active in film during the 1920’s. That was also the height of her popularity. She appeared mostly in comedies. She often acted in films with her companion, Andre Roanne. She appeared in international films near the close of the silent film era. She continued to act with the advent of sound films. She retired in 1937 and focused on painting. The IMDb reports that she has 52 film credits ranging from 1920 through 1936. This vintage real photo postcard is part of a series, “Peugeot 12 six Collection”. Miss Davis is seen entering into a chauffer driven luxury automobile. The photographer of this image was GL Manuel Freres. The studio was founded by brothers Gaston and Lucien Manuel. This vintage postcard is in very good condition (see scans). SOLD

Published in: on February 6, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MIMI AYEMORE : ITALIAN STAGE AND FILM STAR (PHOTO BY ATTILIO BADODI)

This vintage real photo postcard features Italian stage and film actress, Mimi Aylmer (also spelled Almieri) (1896-1992). She was a star during Italy’s fascist era. Aylmer was born in Rome. Her family was of the bourgeois class. At age seventeen, she made her debut as a chanteuse (female nightclub singer of popular songs). Shortly after her debut, she was hired by the Riviste Papa stage company. In 1914, she launched her film career. She starred in her first film and remained a major star for more than twenty years (until 1936). After World War II, she played character roles in two films before retiring from the entertainment world in 1959. In 1964, she moved to Bologna where she lived in a rest home for entertainment artists. The IMDb reports that Aylmer has twelve film credits ranging from 1914 to 1951. As this photo postcard demonstrates; Miss Aylmer was a pretty woman. She has an aura of sweetness and a nice half smile. This vintage postcard is in very good condition (see scans).The reverse of the card has the stamp of Milan photographer Attilio Badodi (1880-1967). He was a talented and very successful photographer of European celebrities. His photos immortalized many actors and actresses. He also did portraits of Benito Mussolini. The stamp box on this postcard indicates that it was published by K Ltd. sometime between 1918 and 1936. The postcard is in good condition (see scans).

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Published in: on January 27, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY THEATER ACTRESS ANNIE LEWIS (TWO PORTRAITS BY WILLIAM McKENZIE MORRISON)

PHOTOGRAPH 1 (SOLD)
PHOTOGRAPH 1 (CLOSE-UP) (SOLD)

 

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PHOTOGRAPH 2

Celebrity photographer, William McKenzie Morrison of Chicago, Illinois, produced these photographic portraits of  actress Annie Lewis (1869-1896). Morrison’s studio was in the Haymarket  theater building. To view more photographs from the Morrison studio and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photographer: Morrison”. Lewis was a soubrette of light operas and musical comedies. She was born and raised in Washington D.C.. Her father was a clerk for the U.S. Treasury Department. Her mother was a former parlor entertainer. As a child, she showed talent for “mimicry”. By the time she was four years old, she was performing on the stage. Actually, during her early years, she often did her singing and dancing atop a piano because that vantage point, allowed her to be seen by her audience.  At the age of sixteen, Lewis was touring the country with her own performing company. She was the soubrette in production called “Little Trump”. Go figure. At seventeen years of age, she married stage actor Wilton Lackaye. He was twenty-five years old at the time and he went on to have a long successful career in both theater and film. Lewis went on to play starring roles in a number of productions. She became a popular enough actress to be mentioned in a number of articles appearing in the New York Times.  The Times (1892) called her the “bright leading lady” of the Yon Yooson company. The newspaper (1892) also reported that she she performed to “standing room only” audiences in Boston’s Bowdoin Theater. In 1893, The New York Times wrote of trouble caused by Annie Lewis at New York’s 14th Street Theater that threatened that evening’s performance of  “The Nutmeg Match”. The management had wanted to add some “specialties” to the performance and Miss Lewis threatened to quit the cast if they made the proposed changes. It was reported that the theater management had looked for an actress to replace Annie Lewis but they were unsuccessful due the extremely short time a new actress would have to prepare for the part. In 1895, she was the supporting actress to Camille D’Arville in the Broadway Theatre production of “A Daughter of the Revolution”. Not long after that appearance, illness forced her to leave the stage, and by October, 1896, Annie Lewis was dead. The cause of death was tuberculosis. She was only 27 years-old. Her obituary appeared in “The Evening Times” (Washington D.C.). The headline of the article was “Little Annie Lewis Dead”. The article reports that she had been sick for nearly a year. She was forced to cancel a number of appearances. Her friends had hoped that a trip to the Southwest and Mexico  would help restore her health. A benefit was held and enough money was raised for the trip and for her care. However, her worsening health did not allow her to travel. The obituary states that Lewis was the mascot of the “National Fencibles”. She was adopted as their “Daughter of the Regiment”. The fencibles were a Washington based militia and drill team. John Philip Sousa dedicated a march to the organization. The obituary laments that the curtain fell way too soon in the life drama of Miss Annie Lewis. 

PHOTOGRAPH 1
Published in: on January 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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JANE IVON :PRETTY PERFORMER ASSOCIATED WITH THEATRE MARIGNY (LOOK AT THE BIRDIE)

This vintage real photo postcard features pretty performer, Jane Ivon. Take a close look at her hat. Yes, that is a real deceased bird decorating her hat.  The bird looks as if it is staring into Miss Ivon’s eyes. There was a time when whole birds were considered desirable decorations on lady hats. This was to the detriment of many bird species that were nearly wiped out by hunters looking to make a quick buck from the millinery industry. One of the venues that Ivon performed at was the Theatre Marigny. The Marigny was, and remains located, near the corner of Champs-Elysees and the Avenue Marigny. The theatre was opened in 1894 and was the home to operetta and other musical theatre. It was a popular venue for musical productions until the 1930’s. There have been many changes in the venue overtime, including a major rehabilitation and restoration in 2018. The theatre still operates today. This portrait postcard was photographed by Lucien Walery. He was a celebrated Paris photographer known for his portraits of artists and cabaret dancers from the city’s music halls. He is very well known for his portraits of Mata Hari and Josephine Baker. Walery did a lot of work in the genre of nude/erotic photography. He photographed the beautiful women of Paris between the early 1900’s and the 1920’s. The postcard is part of a series (n542). This vintage portrait postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

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$25.50

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$34.50

Published in: on January 23, 2021 at 3:36 pm  Leave a Comment  
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