LOUISE LAGRANGE : FRENCH FILM ACTRESS : APPEARED IN A NUMBER OF SEXUALLY PROVOCATIVELY TITLED FILMS

This vintage real photo postcard features pretty French film actress, Louise Lagrange (1898-1979). She was born in Oran, France, which is now in Algeria. Her movie debut occurred when she was nine years of age. Her first marriage was to film director Maurice Tourneur. Her second marriage was to actor, William Elliot. The IMDb credits her with 48 film credits between 1907 and 1952. Her appearances included such films as “A Roman Orgy” (1911), “The Nude Woman” (1926), “In the Shadow of the Harem” (1928), and “Cage of Girls” (1949). Do I detect a pattern here? Lagrange certainly acted in a large number of films with sexually provocative movie titles. Cinemagazine (Paris Edition) is the publisher of this card. It was part of a series (no. 425).   SOLD

Published in: on November 2, 2019 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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ELSE KUPFER : ADORABLE GERMAN STAGE AND FILM ACTRESS

This vintage real photo postcard features German actress, Else Kupfer (1888-1974) as she appearss in Nestroy’s play, “Revolution im Krahwinkel” (1908) at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin, Germany. She is most known for her performance in “A Dangerous Woman”  (1913). The IMDb lists this performance as her only film credit. This postcard portrait of Miss Kupfer presents her wearing a pretty dress and carrying a parasol. She looks adorable. Kupfe was married to Albert Arnold, brother of artist Karl Arnold. The Becker Maass studio photographed Else Kupfer for this postcard. The publisher of this card is Louis Blumenthal. His company operated in Berlin, Germany.   (SOLD)

BERTHE BADY : FRENCH STAGE ACTRESS AND ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE SYMBOLISM MOVEMENT

This vintage real photo postcard features beautiful actress, Berthe Bady (1872-1921). She was born in Belgium but her nationality was French. Berthe Bady attended the Brussels Conservatory and was active on the stage between 1893 and 1913. She was a companion to both Lugne-Poe and Felix-Henri Bataille. Lugne-Poe was a French actor, theatrical director, and scenic designer. He and Bady were involved in symbolist movement of the arts. Bataille was a French dramatist and poet. A brief explanation of symbolism seems to be merited. In theatre, symbolism is a way to bring a greater meaning to something than is apparent at face value. The use of color, characters, movement, props and costumes are all methods of presenting symbolism. In 1897 Bady was the subject of a portrait by Toulouse Lautrec and her death was the subject of a poem by a leading French poet, Louis Aragon. In addition, playwright Fernand Crommelynck dedicated a play to her. Wikipedia credits her with sixteen “notable” play appearances between 1893 and 1913. She appeared in Ibsen’s “The Master Builder” on an international tour. The tour took her to London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Milan, and additional cities. In 1918 she appeared in her one and only film, “Ecce Homo”. This photo of Miss Bady 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 F. C. & C. (Frederick Charles Cooper. The firm was located in Eastbourne, England. It was published circa 1905.This portrait postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

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MISS MILDRED CLAIRE : PRETTY BROADWAY STAGE ACTRESS

This vintage real photo postcard features actress Miss Mildred Claire. She is quite pretty and is dressed for cold weather (pre global warming). A fur muff protects her hands and a fur stole (pre PETA) wrapped around her shoulders. I could find very little information on this pretty actress. I learned from the Internet Broadway Data Base (IBDb) that Mildred Claire had acted in three Broadway shows between 1900 and 1905. I discovered little else. An actress named “Mildred Clair” appeared in a film titled “Treason” (1918).  Perhaps this film actress was our Mildred Claire. There was also an actress named Mildred Claire who changed her name to Claire Rochelle and than had a successful film career. I do not believe the two “Mildred Claire’s” are one and the same person because Claire Rochelle was born in 1908, too late to be an adult when this postcard was issued. This portrait postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.4373 C). It was part of the Rotary Photographic series. The postcard is in very good condition (see scans). (SOLD)       

Published in: on October 6, 2019 at 1:52 pm  Comments (1)  
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TWO RISQUE PORTRAITS OF MARTINE CAROL, FRANCE’S ANSWER TO MARILYN MONROE AND PREDECESSOR TO BRIGETTE BARDOT

MARTINE 2 POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

carol martine POSTCARD 2 

carol martine 1 POSTCARD 2

Postcard 1 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 (Postcard 1) 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). To see a video of Miss Carol, look at the clip below which shows her in “Nana” (1955).    (SOLD)

Postcard 2 is a vintage real photo card. Martine Carol is throwing a seductive gaze over her left shoulder. She is dressed in clothing that is meant to spark notice. Martine needed to perpetuate the image that made her a “sex symbol”. The postcard has an indecipherable photographer’s stamp on its reverse and is in good condition (see scan). This particular postcard portrait of Martine Carol is uncommon.  (SOLD)

carol martine 2

POSTCARD 2

 

 

LYDIA FLOPP : BRITISH ACTRESS AND ONE OF THE FIVE “RUDGE SISTERS”

This vintage real photo postcard features theater actress Miss Lydia Flopp (1877-1963). “Flopp” is an unfortunate name for a stage performer. However, it did not get in the way of her success on the stage.  Lydia was one of the five “Rudge Sisters”. The women were British actresses and dancers. Some of them were quite successful. The sisters performed as Letty Lind, Millie Hylton, Adelaide Astor, Fanny Dango, and the aforementioned Lydia Flopp. The sisters were primarily dancers but over time developed their singing ability. They performed in pantomime, variety, music hall, and Victorian burlesque realms of theater. Their venues included the Gaiety and Daly theaters in London. Letty Lind was a popular skirt dancer and star of musical comedies. Hylton worked in music halls and theatre and had much success appearing in varieties as a male impersonator. Miss Astor was a West End actress and Fanny Dango worked in London and then launched a successful career performing in Australia. Lydia Flopp’s specialty was pantomime. She was a sitter for two photo portraits in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery. The photographer of Miss Flopp’s portrait is Alexander Bassano (1829-1913).  Bassano) was a leading royal and high society photographer in Victorian London. This postcard was published in England by the Davidson Brothers. Davidson Brothers was located in both London and New York City. The firm operated between 1901 and 1911. This postcard is published by Rotary Photo as part of the Rotary Photographic Series (no.1594 B). This vintage postcard portrait has excellent clarity and is in excellent condition (see scans).  (SOLD)

MISS DEBRY : PORTRAIT OF A PERFORMER BY THE CELEBRATED FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHER (NADAR)

This vintage real photo postcard features a portrait of a pretty performer named Debry. She was photographed by a famous photographer with the last name of Nadar. The question exists whether the photographer is Paul Nadar (1856-1939) or Gaspard-Felix Tournacon (AKA Nadar) (1820-1910). This postcard dates back to circa 1904, and by that time the elder Nadar was 84 years old and not active in studio photography. Therefore the photographer was the younger Nadar. Paul was the son of Gaspard-Felix. Both were famous in the field of photography but their talent stretched to other disciplines. Paul’s talent extended to art, printing, and writing. In 1874, Paul managed his father’s Paris studio.  In around 1885 their relationship fractured. However the following year, the two collaborated on what is thought to be the first photo-interview in history. The subject of the interview was a prominent 101 year-old chemist and color theorist. That same year, Paul began photographing from a hot-air balloon. Paul liked experimenting and this led to him studying artificial lighting and developing a patented projection system for animating still pictures. Kodak named him their agent in France in 1893…. Gaspard Felix (G.F.), in addition to being a photographer, was a caricaturist, journalist, novelist, balloonist and advocate of manned flight. Portraits by G.F. can be found in a number of national museum collections. He opened his photography studio in Paris in 1854. He was a celebrity photographer (Actors, Politicians, Writers, Painters, and Musicians). He attracted many famous sitters because he was considered the best photographer in France. He was no fan of studio props. He preferred natural daylight. F.G. was most interested in focusing his photography on his subject’s face.He wanted the subjects to wear dark clothing for their portraits and often hid their hands from the camera. Although, he photographed many women, he preferred to photograph men. He believed that women believe “the images are too true to nature to please” them; even the most beautiful of the women. He once wrote that the most vain portrait sitters were actors and the second vainest group was soldiers. Ballooning was another area of F.G’s interest.  He was involved with writer Jules Verne in an organization supporting the development of “air machines”. In the 1850’s G.F. was experimenting taking aerial photographs. During the siege of Paris in 1870, Nadar was a principal in organizing balloon flights to do reconnaissance and carry the mail, creating the first airmail service. This postcard portrait was part of a series (no.769).  (SOLD)

GRETL THEIMER : TWO PORTRAITS DRAGON EGGS, AND A RISQUE POSE

                                                                     POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 1 (CLOSE-UP)

THALMERPOSTCARD 2

THALMER 1Postcard 2  (Close=up)

This vintage real photo postcard features Austrian actress, Gretl Theimer (1910-1972). She was a leading lady and singer of operatic films in the 1930’s. She was trained as a ballerina and she began her performing career as a child.She danced in the children’s ballet of the State Opera in Vienna. The IMDb reports that she has 57 film credits between 1930 and 1969. Her roles after World War II were predominately minor parts. Postcard 1 features Miss Theimer wearing a most interesting hat in this portrait. It looks like her hat is covered with dragon eggs, or giant dustballs. This photo postcard was published by Ross Verlag. The publisher was located in Berlin, Germany. The postcard is part of a series (no. 9266/1). The postcard has the logo of Hammer-Ton films. This photo postcard has excellent clarity and is in excellent condition.                                                           Postcard 2 offers a more risque view of Gretl Theimer. She is wearing a bikini top and a beautiful smile. She is accessorized with a string of pearls. Note her large hat and it’s plume of feathers. This photo postcard, judging by the logo on the front of the card, was published by “Europe”. It is part of a series (no. 1071). Embedded in the image is the words “Hegewald Film”. Liddy Hegewald (1884-1950) was a German film producer. She worked between 1919 and 1931. She worked in both the silent and early sound eras. Hegewald film was Liddy Hegewald’s own production company. To view Miss Theimer singing in a 1930 film, see the Youtube video below.

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Buy this original Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #2831

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KATHERINE FLORENCE : NEWSBOY PORTRAIT OF A POPULAR BROADWAY ACTRESS

This cabinet card photograph features actress Katherine Florence (1874-1952). She was born in Birmingham, England and died in Astoria, Queens, New York. She received her education from a convent in Peekskill, New York. She furthered her education by studying in Paris, and later, Montreal. Florence was a popular American stage actress who performed from the late 1880’s through the early twentieth century. Her mother was a famous actress named Katherine Rogers. Two of Katherine Florence’s sisters became successful stage actresses Their names are Violet Rand and Eleanor Moretti. She gained her early acting experience in her mother’s theatrical company. Her major debut took place in New York City, 1887 in the drama, “As In A Looking Glass”. Lily Langtry was also in the production. She appeared on the New York stage every year of her theatrical career except one. Florence was married to stage actor Fritz Williams in 1892 and their marriage ended with his death in 1930. Her resume includes acting in “The Lost Paradise (1892)”, “The King’s Musketeers (1898”), and “Letty (1905)”. During her career she played opposite excellent actors including Stuart Robson, E. H. Sothern, and William Gillette. The Interned Broadway Data Base credits Miss Florence with appearing in fourteen productions between 1893 and 1913. This cabinet card was produced by Newsboy, a tobacco company. The photograph was used as a premium to encourage customers to buy the tobacco products.   SOLD

 

Published in: on July 29, 2019 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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TWO PORTRAITS OF STAGE ACTRESS AND JOURNALIST JULIE OPP (PHOTOS BY LIZZIE CASWALL SMITH)

opp                                                               POSTCARD 1  (SOLD)

JULIE OPP                                                                    POSTCARD 2  (SOLD)

—- These vintage real photo postcards feature stage actress Julie Opp (1871-1921).  Miss Opp was an American stage actress who was for many years popular in America as well as in Europe. She was the wife of actor William Faversham. She married him after the pair co-starred in the Broadway production of “The Royal Rival” (1902). The internet Broadway data base indicates that Miss Opp appeared in six Broadway shows from 1901 through 1911. Julie Opp was born in New York City in 1871. Her Bavarian father ran a saloon on lower Manhattan”s Bowery Street and was active in local politics.  Her mother was Irish-American. Julie began her education in public schools but her mother decided to transfer her to a local convent to receive her education. The young girl shocked  the sisters and bishop when she told them that she wanted to become a ballet dancer when she grew up. By the time she graduated, she had replaced her ambition to dance, with becoming a writer. Her first job was being a a journalist with the New York Recorder. She was a fashion writer. As part of her work as a journalist, she became involved with many people in the theatre world including Sarah Bernhardt and Emma Calve. The show business performers tried to convince her to become an actress. As a result she dabbled in acting but in 1896 she chose the stage over writing and performed in Shakespeare’s “As You Like it” at London’s St. James Theatre. A review of her performance seen in “To-Day” (1896) stated she was “charming” and “equipped for the performance of brilliant work, either on the press or stage”. In 1906 she published “The Squaw Man: A Novel”. She fell seriously ill in 1914 while traveling abroad with her husband and two sons. She appeared to recover and performed again, but soon suffered a relapse causing her to retire from acting. She then spent her remaining years at her residence in New York City and her country house on Long Island. She died after a failed operation in 1921.

—–  Postcard 1 was published by the Rotary Photo Company as part of the Rotary Photographic Series (no. 1572 B). Miss Opp was photographed by L. Caswall Smith. Lizzie Caswall Smith (1870-1958) was a British photographer who operated in the early 1900’s. She specialized in photographing members of society and celebrities. Many of her photographs were used for postcards. She was involved in the Women’s Suffrage movement and photographed many of the leading suffragettes. She also photographed many actors including Billie Burke and Maude Fealy. She operated the Gainsborough Studio from 1907 through 1920 (309 Oxford Street) and moved to a new location (90 Great Russell Street) where she remained until she retired in 1930 at the age of 60 years-old. Her most famous photograph is a portrait of Florence Nightingale taken in 1910. It was auctioned in 1908 and sold for 5500 pounds which is an equivalent today of nearly 8,000 dollars. The National Portrait Gallery has 84 portraits associated with Lizzie Caswall Smith.  (SOLD)

—- Postcard 2 offers a close-up view of Miss Opp. She is very pretty in this photograph and has large and beautiful eyes. This postcard, like the first postcard, is published by the Rotary Photo Company. The postcard (no. 1572) is part of the same series as the first postcard. Also, like the first postcard, Julie Opps photo portrait was taken by Lizzie Caswall Smith. The card was mailed from St. Ives (A seaside town in Cornwall)  to Twickenham (a London suburb). The postmark reveals that the postcard was mailed in 1902. The postcard is in very good condition (see scans).  (SOLD)

opp 2                                                              POSTCARD 1  (SOLD)   

JULIE OPP 1                                                            POSTCARD 2  (SOLD)