A TOPLESS EDMONDE GUY AND E. VAN DUREN : DANCERS : RISQUE : GREYHOUNDS : RPPC

This rare risque vintage real photo postcard features famous European dance partners, Edmonde Guy (1903-1951) and Ernst Van Duren (?-1930). The pair are flanked by three regal looking greyhounds. If you look closely, you will see the dogs are leashed. Edmonde Guy was a French dancer and film actress. She also was a model for paintings by Dutch artist, Kees Van Dongen. In 1921 she and Van Duren formed a dance partnership. They performed both in Europe and the United States. In 1926, they were hired by Florenz Ziegfeld for his “Palm Beach Follies”. Guy and Van Duren were famous for their daring outfits and erotic performances. Evidence of their “steamy” work can be seen via this postcard image. Guy is wearing a sheer top, but she is virtually topless. Not much is known about Van Duren. One newspaper reported that he was Hungarian but his family was originally from the Netherlands. Besides being a dancer, he also acted. His first film role was in a French silent film in 1923. He played minor roles in a few films but his break out role was in a circus film called “Manege” (1928). He then starred in a film with Edmonde Guy, with the title “Princesse Mandane” (1928). In 1930, Van Duren committed suicide. There were rumors his self destruction was caused by the end of his relationship with Edmonde. However, some writers believe his suicide was related to his relationship with American dancer, Jack Forrest. This French postcard was published by J.R.P.R. and the photographer of the two dancers was G. L. Manuel Bros. SOLD

Published in: on August 13, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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VIRGINIA MAYO : BEAUTIFUL ACTRESS : PICTUREGOER SERIES : WARNER BROTHERS

This vintage real photo postcard features American actress and dancer, Virginia Mayo (1920-2005). Virginia grew up in St. Louis. She began attending her Aunt’s acting school at age 6. She also took dancing lessons. She began her professional acting career after graduating high school. She began acting and dancing at the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre. She then toured the vaudeville circuit for three years. She appeared in some short films and then was “discovered” performing at a Broadway area night club, by Samuel Goldwyn. Goldwyn appreciated her for her talent as well as her beauty. He signed her to an acting contract with his company.  In 1941, she appeared on the Broadway stage with Eddie Cantor. Her first starring role occured in 1944 when she appeared in a film with Bob Hope. The IMDb reports that Mayo had 70 film credits between 1939 and 1997. She performed in one Broadway play (1941-1942). This vintage postcard is part of the “Picturegoer” series (No. D 541). She posed for the postcard’s portrait while under contract with Warner Brothers.  SOLD

Published in: on July 24, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY DANCER WEARING NUDE BODY SUIT : RISQUE : RPPC : (1907)

This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty young dancer dressed in a risque body suit. The costume aims to give the appearance of nudity. The performer is holding a tambourine. The publisher of the postcard is unidentified. The reverse of this postcard shows some wear but the front of the card is in excellent condition. The postcard is in overall Good Condition (See Scans).  SOLD

Published in: on June 4, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MARCELLE LENDER : FRENCH SINGER AND DANCER : MODELLED FOR TOULOUSE-LAUTREC

This uncommon vintage real photo postcard features French singer, dancer and entertainer, Marcelle Lender (1862-1926). Lender was also famous for her modelling in paintings by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Lender began dancing at age sixteen and quickly escalated her fame by performing at the Theatre des Varietes in Paris, France. Lender was the model for several works by Lautrec. Her most notable appearance in his paintings was of her dancing the Bolero, in full costume, during an 1895 performance of “Chilperic”. That painting is today in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. This postcard portrait of Miss Lender was taken by the famed Reutlinger studio. The card was published by the English firm, Rotary Photo. SOLD

Published in: on May 12, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CARMEN SEVILLA : SPANISH ACTRESS, SINGER, AND DANCER

This vintage real photo postcard features Spanish actress, singer, and dancer, Carmen Sevilla (1930-2023). She started her career in the 1940’s and succeeded in becoming one of the most popular stars of the Spanish cinema until the 1970’s. Among her film roles were appearances in “Imperial Violets” (1952), “Vengeance” (1958), and “Antony and Cleopatra” (1972). She was also a successful singer who’s discography includes fifteen studio albums. Carmen was born in Seville, Spain. Her father was a composer. After the Spanish Civil War, she and her family moved to Madred and her father and grandfather worked as lyricists for major films. As a child, Sevilla enjoyed singing and dancing and made her stage debut at the age of twelve. In the 1940’s she studied at the Conservatory of Music and took dance lessons. She made her film debut in 1946. In 1947, she competed in the Miss Spain contest. Her first leading film role occurred in 1948 and her career quickly blossomed. Her popularity led to her being sought for advertising purposed. She was in Spain’s first Coca Cola commercial. She made her last film in 1978. In 1991 she began a new career as a television presenter. Sevilla was married twice. Her first marriage was to a well known composer / conductor. In 2012, she was diagnosed with Alzheimers. The disease led to her death just seven days before this posting. Sevilla’s photo portrait, seen on this postcard, was taken by the Harcourt studio. The card was published by the Globe (Paris) and is part of a series (No.203).  SOLD

Published in: on May 10, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PEARL REGAY : DANCER : ISRAEL ORPHAN SOCIETY : NEW YORK : PRESS PHOTO : 1927

This vintage press photo features pretty dancer, Pearl Regay, teaching young orphans to dance. The children were under the care of the Israel Orphan Asylum in New York City. Miss Regay taught the children a few simple steps and also entertained them. Pearl Regay was a respected stage performer. She appeared in three Broadway plays between 1922 and 1928. These plays included “The Desert Song” and “George White’s Scandals”. The Israel Orphan Asylum was founded by Gustave Hartman, a municipal court judge and philanthropist. He founded the organization in 1913 and ran it until his death in 1936. The asylum cared for children ages one to six, and later in time, included girls up to the age of fourteen. Many of the children in the Asylum were orphaned by World War I. This press photo was taken by the International Newsreel Company. The photograph measures 8.25 x 6.25 inches. On the reverse of the photo is a stamp from the International Newsreel Company. In addition, there is a stamp from King Features Syndicate, which was likely the last owner of the rights of this photograph. SOLD

Published in: on April 28, 2024 at 12:01 pm  Comments (2)  
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BLACK FEMALE DANCER IN COSTUME : STUDIO PORTRAIT : VINTAGE RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features a Black Woman in her dance costume. She is an unusual costume and she is lifting her skirt in a risque manner. The woman has a pretty smile.  SOLD

Published in: on April 12, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (4)  
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CAMILLA HORN : GERMAN ACTRESS AND DANCER : NAZI FOE : HOLLYWOOD : RPPC

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

These vintage real photo postcards feature German dancer and film star of the silent and sound era, Camilla Horn (1903-1996). She also was an internationally known actress, starring in several Hollywood films of the late 1920’s as well as a few British and Italian productions. Her father was a civil servant working in the Railroad Industry. She was born in Germany and educated in Germany and Switzerland. Horn was educated to work as a dressmaker. She went to Berlin where she trained as an actress and dancer. She next became a cabaret dancer. In 1925, she worked as an extra in a German film. Her big break came in 1926 after she replaced Lillian Gist in the UFA production of “Faust”. In 1928 she left for Hollywood where she played opposite John Barrymore in “Tempest” and “Eternal Love”. She became romantically involved with film director, Joseph Schenck. She returned to Europe (upon the advent of sound film) and in the 1930’s got in trouble with the Nazis and was prosecuted for an alleged financial offense. During the war years, she was too outspoken against the Nazis. The regime investigated her. She tried to escape unsuccessfully to Switzerland. Thereafter, she kept a low profile. After the war, she was convicted by a British tribunal and sentenced for three months of jail due to some minor offenses. It was also reported that post war, she worked as an interpreter for occupying American forces. Horn was a screen star from 1930 until her retirement in 1953. Horn was married four times during her life. Interestingly, in about 1972 Bruce Springsteen wrote a song about her. Camilla Horn was quite beautiful. She had blonde hair, slanting brown eyes and classical features.

Postcard 1 was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.4123/1). The logo for “United Artists” can be seen in the lower right hand corner of Horn’s image. This postcard has a 1930 postmark. (SOLD)

Postcard 2 was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.7348/1). The card has a Latvian stamp and postmark.  (SOLD)

Published in: on March 30, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY SCANTILY CLAD DANCER : RISQUE : RPPC (1907)

This vintage risque real photo postcard features a scantily clad pretty young dancer. Note her long hair and headress.The card was published by Neue Photographische Gesellschaft (NPG) as part of a series (No.553/2). The company was a leading bromide photo printing company for many years.at the beginning of the 20th century.  (SOLD)

Published in: on December 20, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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GINA PALERME : FRENCH ACTRESS AND DANCER : PHOTOS BY RITA MARTIN : RPPC

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

These vintage real photo postcards feature a portrait of French actress and dancer, Gina Palerme (1885-1977). She was an active performer between 1909 and 1929. She began her theater career in 1909 in France. An English impresario brought her to London in 1910. Her debut was in “The Quaker Girl” at the Adelphi Theater. This performance was followed by many more stage roles in West-end productions. Photographer, Cecil Beaton, wrote that she was glamorous and that “her off-stage appearances were as sensational as her stage escapades”. She returned to France in 1919 and starred in silent films. Her final screen appearance was in 1925. Her post film career was comprised of working in French cabarets, including Moulin Rouge. She also did revue work in the United States. The New York Times (1929) announced that French revue actress, Gina Palerme, from the Moulin Rouge in Paris, “arrived in America to appear in a new revue under the Shubert management. It was reported that Palerme spoke English well and this was her first trip to America. J. J. Shubert “discovered” her after hearing her sing at the Moulin Rouge. He offered her a six month contract to come to New York. There was also an option that offered her a three year contract upon finishing her Revue performances, to appear in “talkies”. Palerme was very pretty, as is apparent in these postcard photographs.

In Postcard 1, Palerme looks glamourous and her portrait can be seen as risque. Her ornate dress is low cut. This postcard was published by J. Beagles & Co. as part of a series (No.240A). Palerme’s photograph was taken by celebrity photographer, Rita Martin. Female photographers were uncommon during this era.  (SOLD)

Postcard 2 was published by J. Beagles & Co. as part of a series (No.240H). This card is part of the same series as Postcard 1. Rita Martin is the photographer who took both this portrait and the photo in Postcard 1. Note the golden color of Palerme’s hat. The color tinter clearly was a artist. Unlike many color tinters, this one believed in subtlety. (SOLD)

Postcard 1

Postcard 2

Published in: on November 24, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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