This carte de visite portrait captures a uniformed soldier with a handlebar mustache. The photographer of this cdv image is the Leon studio in Grenoble, France. Grenoble is located in the southeastern section of France and is at the foot of the French Alps. It is my guess that the soldier pictured in this carte de visite served in the French military. An illustration of Leon’s gallery can be seen on the reverse of this cdv.
This carte de visite features a nicely dressed pretty young woman. She has very engaging and piercing eyes. The reverse of this portrait has an inscription which I believe is in French. I am hoping that a Cabinet Card visitor can translate the inscription to English. A vintage photograph enthusiast on Facebook translated the inscription as follows. “It is written to the Mercedes Sangard Countesse of Choumouroux at Chateau Choumouroux near Yssingeaux”. I believe that this photograph is a portrait of Mercédès Andrée Ernestine (born January 31, 1900 in Craponne sur Arzon and died December 25, 1919). She was a member of the House of Sagnard, one of the oldest noble families in France. The photographer of this image is Francois Cheri-Rousseau (1826-1908). He began his career in Cusset, France. He also worked in Marseilles and Paris. Most of his career, he operated a studio in Saint-Etienne. He had two sons who both became photographers and eventually took over their father’s business. Cheri Rousseau began his photography career in about 1860. He was considered a talented photographer and won may awards for his work. In 1876 he filed a patent for a process for painting on photographs with bold ink. Rousseau also published postcards. SOLD
I am hoping that Cabinet Card Gallery visitors are not offended by this tastefully done vintage nude real photo postcard. Postcards of nudes were a popular collectors item during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. They were considered to be artistic and not pornographic, although most photographers and nude models did not allow their names to be printed on the postcards. In addition, some retail outlets (Photo Galleries) for these nude postcards kept them under the counter. Clearly, many of those involved with creating and selling these postcards, had fears of being prosecuted. Buyers of these postcards did not mail them. They were strictly collectibles. There is some disagreement about the women who posed for these photographs. Originally, many believed that the women were either local prostitutes, artist models, or actresses. However, there is a growing belief that most of the models were working women who modeled to supplement their income. This particular nude postcard was published by a French firm known as “P.C. from Paris. The P. C. logo is an abbreviation for Papeteries de Levallois-Clichy. The firm published a variety of real photo postcard topics including portraits of women, nudes, views, and holiday cards. The company was active in the 1920’s. The lovely model seen in this postcard was a popular one. She modeled for many of the firm’s nude postcards. This postcard is part of a series (#1887). She appears to be of Spanish origin and is casting an inviting gaze. She is wearing a “piano shawl”. Normally these shawls are used to decorate the top surface of a grand piano. Piano shawls were also used as an accessory in women’s fashion. SOLD
Who is this pretty and well dressed young woman? Is she an actress or fashion model? I fear that her name may be lost to history. This real photo postcard presents a mystery. Maybe a visitor to the Cabinet Card Gallery will be able to identify her.A stamp on the reverse of the postcard indicates that the photographer is G. Leturgez (?) who operated a studio in Grenay, France. Leturgez appears to be a master of lighting. The photo is dated 1930.
This carte de visite portrait captures a very attractive and well dressed couple. They are also well-coiffed. The previous owner of this cdv reported that the photograph is of French origin. However there is no evidence on the photograph that confirms that claim. (SOLD)
This vintage photograph is very effective at capturing a warm family moment. They appear to be in the family’s living room. Note the assorted photographs in the room as well as the flowers in a couple of vases. Mom stands by her elder daughter while the daughter is playing the piano. The mother is touching the sheet music which may indicate that she is turning the pages for her. The adorable younger daughter is sitting on her father’s lap and she is reading a book. Magnification reveals that she is reading a book called “Becassine”. Becassine is a comic strip character, in fact, the first female protagonist in the history of comics. The comic was first released in 1905. Between 1913 and 1950, 27 volumes of the adventures of Bécassine were published. This photograph and board measures approximately 8 1/2″ x 10″. The actual image itself measures about 6 1/2″ x 4 3/4″. SOLD
This carte de visite portrait features a young child sitting on a short wall alongside his/her dog. The child is adorable. This cdv photograph was taken by the C. Canard studio in Louhans, France. Louhans is located in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France. (SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features a a little girl dressed in her winter clothing using her umbrella to protect her from falling snow.The little girl is adorable and is wearing a very cute expression.The postcard is a New Years card. On the message side of the postcard is a sweet note from Aimee Banchet to her "Godmother and Uncle". Google Translate came up with a rough translation indicating that the card is a message from a niece to her Aunt and Uncle wishing them much love and happiness upon the New Year. The card is addressed to Mr and Mrs Martin who resided in the town of Chonon les Bains, France.The town is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France. The postcard is from the early 1900's.The logo for the postcard publisher appears to be "H.B.". Two postcard publishers used those initials; Hutson Brothers Ltd (London,England) and Hoursch & Bechstedt (Cologne,Germany).
This vintage real photo postcard is part of a series named “Les Plus Belles Femmes de France” (The Most Beautiful Women of France). This series is about gem stones, and the model for this image represents “Topaze” (Topaz). There were a number of different series published. One of the more popular series was one in which models represented different French Provinces by wearing traditional clothing from that particular area of the country. This postcard was edited by well known photographer Alfred Noyer. The celebrated photographer supervised a large photo studio in Paris. The Noyer Studio operated from 1910 until the 1940’s. Many of his early postcards were reproductions of artworks. He also produced illustrated patriotic postcards during World War I. With the onset of the 1920’s he began producing postcards of children and women. Many of the postcards he produced of women were nudes or risque images. Some of his postcards list his name while others are simply marked “AN”.
 | bmarshphd on CUTE LITTLE GIRL WITH A PAIL A… |
 | Ingrid Horner on CUTE LITTLE GIRL WITH A PAIL A… |
 | Eric Snyder on WWI ERA FRENCH COLONIAL SOLDIE… |
| bmarshphd on NORTHPORT, LONG ISLAND, NEW YO… |
 | Libby Bryant on NORTHPORT, LONG ISLAND, NEW YO… |
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 