BRIGITTE HELM : TAKES A PHOTO : CAMERA ON TRIPOD : PHOTOGRAPHER : ACTRESS : RPPC

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

Postcard 1 features German actress, Brigitte Helm (1908-1996). The postcard captures Miss Helm taking a photograph with a camera on a tripod. Photographs of photographers in action are quite collectible. Now, back to Brigitte Helm. She is best known for her dual role in Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent film, Metropolis. After “Metropolis” she played in a long string of movies where she typically had the starring role. Helm was typecast as a Vamp or a femme fatale. She was born in Berlin. Her father was a Prussian Army officer. She was interested in acting at an early age and by age 12, was taking lead parts in school plays. At the age of 17, she acted in “Metropolis”. In 1925 she signed a ten year contract with UFA. She performed in both silent films and talkies. Beside “Metopolis” (1927), Helm was best known for “A Daughter of Destiny” (1928), “L’Argent” (1928), and “Alraune” (1929). Helm had an eventful personal life. Helm was involved in several traffic accidents. In fact, she was briefly placed in prison for manslaughter charges. She married industrialist, Dr Hugo Kunheim. The Nazis were not very pleased with her choice in men because Kunheim was Jewish. In 1935, Helm retired and moved with her husband to Switzerland where they started a family. Helm explained her retirement was because of disgust about the Nazi’s taking over the German film industry. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.8486/1). The card has the UFA logo which reveals it was published between 1925 and 1935. (SOLD)

Postcard 2 captures Miss Helm in a beautiful dress that illustrates her nice figure. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.8486/1). The card has the UFA logo which reveals it was published between 1925 and 1935.  (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

Published in: on November 24, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CARL SCHURZ ; CIVIL WAR GENERAL & SENATOR : WARREN’S, BOSTON : CABINET CARD

This striking 19th-century cabinet card features The Honorable Carl Schurz (1829-1906), a distinguished Civil War general, U.S. Senator, and reform-minded statesman. The photograph was taken at Warren’s Portraits, a prestigious Boston studio located at 465 Washington Street and renowned for its elegant images of notable figures during the late 1800s. In this formal portrait, Schurz is captured in a three-quarter view, seated in a dark, double-breasted coat with a subtle bow tie at his collar. His thick, well-kept beard and wavy hair give him a scholarly yet commanding presence. He gazes slightly to his left, a monocle suspended at his eye—projecting a look of intellectual rigor and seriousness. The background is a simple studio gradient, helping focus all attention on Schurz’s intense expression and refined appearance. On the reverse, the card is elegantly marked with the Warren’s Portraits logo. In pencil is written: “Hon. Carl Schurz,” affirming the identity of the sitter. Carl Schurz was born in Liblar, Prussia (modern-day Germany) in 1829. A revolutionary in his youth, he fought in the 1848 German uprisings, which ultimately failed, forcing him to flee Europe. He emigrated to the United States in 1852, where he quickly became involved in politics and the anti-slavery movement. During the American Civil War, Schurz was appointed brigadier general of Union volunteers by President Lincoln in 1862. He eventually rose to the rank of major general. Though courageous and respected, his battlefield performance received mixed reviews. He fought in key engagements including: the Second Battle of Bull Run (1862), the Battle of Chancellorsville (1863),  and the Battle of Gettysburg (1863), where his XI Corps was flanked on the first day. While he was not a professional military man, Schurz’s service was notable for his efforts to advocate for German-American troops and his commitment to the Union cause. He did not have prior military experience in Europe before serving in the U.S. Army. After the war, Schurz enjoyed a long and prominent career in politics. He served as a U.S. Senator from Missouri (1869–1875) and later as Secretary of the Interior under President Rutherford B. Hayes (1877–1881). A staunch advocate of civil service reform and anti-corruption measures, he became one of the leading voices of the Liberal Republican movement. This cabinet card was produced by Warren’s Portraits, one of Boston’s most prominent photography studios in the 19th century. Operated by William Shaw Warren, the studio specialized in elegant, high-quality portraits and was especially known for photographing celebrities, politicians, military figures, and distinguished members of Boston society. Warren’s operated primarily during the 1860s through the 1890s. Warren’s images often feature clean studio backdrops, strong lighting, and detailed retouching, emphasizing refinement and dignity—qualities clearly present in this cabinet card of Carl Schurz. (SOLD)

Published in: on November 8, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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PRETTY PARISIAN ACTRESS : HAND-TINTED : NPG : RPPC 1904

This is a striking hand-tinted real photo postcard (RPPC) featuring a young actress or performer seated confidently on a chair. The card is part of the NPG (Neue Photographische Gesellschaft) series, serial number 645/2, and dates to 1904. It was printed in Berlin, Germany, as indicated on the reverse. The woman in the image has voluminous, dark, curly hair adorned with colorful ribbons, one pink and one lavender. She wears a bold theatrical costume: a bright turquoise satin dress trimmed with cream-yellow ruffled sleeves and skirt, accented by a vivid red flower at the bodice. The layered ruffles of her skirt spill over her lap, giving her a lively, almost playful stage presence. She sits with her legs crossed, her expression calm and slightly defiant, exuding poise and self-assurance. Her dark stockings and buttoned heels complete the look, emphasizing her identity as a stage performer rather than a conventional society portrait sitter. Neue Photographische Gesellschaft A.G. was a leading German postcard and photographic publishing house active in the early 20th century. The left-side imprint, translated, reads: “Original photograph by NP Steglitz refers to the Berlin district where NPG was located, not the photographer’s surname. On the reverse, the postcard carries a green French stamp, confirming that the card was mailed from France, even though it was printed in Germany. The stamp is from the French “Sower” (La Semeuse) series, first issued in the early 20th century. The message on the card, translated from French reads: “Guess who is sending this to you.”  SOLD

Published in: on October 19, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CHARMING WOMAN WITH HER COLLIE DOG : LEIPZIG, GERMANY : BY BELLACH : CABINET CARD

This evocative cabinet card photograph captures an intimate and timeless portrait of a young woman and her loyal dog, taken by the studio of Carl Bellach (1848-1920) in Leipzig, Germany. The woman sits gracefully beside her canine companion, her body turned slightly but her gaze directed straight into the camera. Her expression is serene and soft, with a gentle smile that suggests both composure and affection. She wears a dark Edwardian dress with a high collar and a prominent bow at the neck, detailed with fabric-covered buttons along the front and sleeve cuffs. Her hair is styled in soft waves and pulled back, adorned with a ribbon or dark headband, reflecting the elegant fashion of the early 20th century. Next to her sits a beautiful dog, likely a rough-coated Collie or a Border Collie mix, whose thick fur and calm, attentive expression add a warm, personal touch to the image. The dog sits proudly on a patterned upholstered bench, perfectly posed as if aware of the photographic moment. The room in which they are posed is softly lit and richly decorated, with a curio cabinet or sideboard in the background, suggesting a comfortable middle-class home. A framed portrait of a man hangs on the wall—perhaps a family member, adding a sentimental layer to the setting. The overall tone of the photograph is tender and domestic, a quiet glimpse into the bond between human and animal, beautifully preserved. The sepia tones and excellent clarity make this image a fine example of studio portraiture from pre-WWI Germany. The photographer, Carl Bellach, was a known Leipzig studio operator, and his imprint appears in gold at the bottom right corner of the mount. Bellach was also known for being an entomologist (scientific study of insects).  (SOLD)

Published in: on September 6, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF TWO AFFECTIONATE YOUNG GIRLS AT THE BEACH

TWO GIRLS BEACH

TWO GIRLS BEACH 1 Two young girls pose for a vintage snapshot photograph as they sit on the sand at the beach. One girl has her arm affectionately around the shoulder of the second girl. The recipient of the affection is displaying a sour expression. Are the girls sisters? Could they be close friends? The answer is lost to history. The girls names are written on the reverse of the photo. I can only decipher one of the names. It is “Ingrid”. A stamp on the reverse of the snapshot indicates that the photograph was developed in Dresden, Germany. Dresden is the second largest city in Saxony. It is situated on the banks of the River Elbe. It is near the border of the Czech Republic. There are beaches along the Elbe and perhaps this image captures one of them.  SOLD

TWO GIRLS BEACH 2

Published in: on August 16, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (4)  
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CROWN PRINCE WILHELM AND PRINCESS CECILIE OF GERMANY (PRESS PHOTO)

wilhelm

This vintage press photograph features Crown Prince Wilhelm and his wife, Crown Princess Cecilie. The photo was taken by George Grantham Bain in 1915 and it likely appeared in a number of newspapers.Some readers may be wondering about these Royals. Who are these people? Prince Wilhelm (1882-1951) was the last Crown Prince of Prussia and the German Empire. He married Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1886-1954) in 1905. The pair’s marriage wasn’t rock solid. The Crown Prince had affairs with both American opera singer Geraldine Farrar and dancer Mata Hari. The photographer of this photograph was a pioneer news photographer. George Grantham Bain (1865-1944) was a New York City photographer known as “the father of photographic news”. He was a chemistry graduate of St Louis University and also received a law degree there. He then became a reporter for two St. Louis newspapers in succession and one of his assignments was Washington DC correspondent. He then worked for United Press International and in 1898 started the Bain News Service. Forty thousand of Bain’s glass negatives are in the collection of the Library of Congress. This vintage press photo was published by the Bain News Service.  SOLD
220px-Ggbain                                                 Photo of George Grantham Bain

wilhelm 1

Published in: on July 27, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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FEMALE PIERRETTE CLOWN : BURLESQUE : CABARET : GERMANY : RPPC : 1920’s

This vintage divided back real photo postcard features a young woman dressed as a Pierrot. Actually, the female version of a Pierrot is “Pierrette”. 
The girl’s photo was taken by Hilde u. Clown Sarra  Musik-Akt. The publisher of the postcard was Graph. Anstalt, located in Magdburg, Germany. (SOLD)

Published in: on July 7, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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DEATH CARD : WORLD WAR I GERMAN SOLDIER : DIED IN BATTLE : TRIBUTE TO FRANZ HUBER

This item is a World War I death card. It was customary to issue a card for fallen soldiers of the German army, navy and air force. The front of the card states that it is a Christian commemoration of the campaign soldier youth, Franz Huber. Information about his regiment and overall unit is provided. It is stated that the soldier was awarded the Cross of Merit. Furthermore, it states that Huber died a heroic death for his country on April 5, 1918. He died as the result of a serious injury at the young age of 24. A prayer is at the bottom of the card and there is a notation that the card was printed by H. Ostermann of Waging, Germany. The reverse of the card has a touching quote. “With the tender love of a mother I want to comfort you. SOLD

Published in: on May 7, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF PRETTY GERMAN FILM ACTRESS KARIN HARDT

                                                                     POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)karin

POSTCARD 2

Karin Hardt (1910-1992), German film actress, is featured on these two vintage real photo postcards. Her father was a merchant. She took private acting lessons with Alex Otto, a German actor and theater director. After some theatrical appearances, she made her movie debut in 1931. She quickly rose to stardom. During the war years, her film roles decreased. Post war, she appeared in only a few more films. In the 1960’s she appeared in a number of television roles. She was married to director Erich Waschneck in 1933. She later married Rolf von Goth, a German actor. An internet filmography indicates that Hardt appeared in 88 films from 1931 through 1992. In 1979, she was in a film with David Bowie. The YouTube video below features Miss Hardt in the film, “Mens Economy” (1941).

The image in Postcard 1 gives the appearance that Hardt is about to be swallowed up by her dress. She is wearing ribbons in her hair and a sweet half smile.  This photo postcard was published by Ross Verlag and is part of a series (no.A2810/1). The logo for UFA, a German film company, can be seen in the right hand bottom corner of the image.  SOLD

Postcard 2 was published by Ross Verlag and is part of a series (no.8848/1). The logo for UFA, a German film company,  can be seen in the right hand bottom corner of the image. This vintage postcard is in excellent condition (see scans).

Buy this original Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #2620

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$22.00

Buy this original Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes international shipping outside the US) #2620

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$30.00

 
 
Published in: on March 21, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MISS EMMY WEHLEN : PRETTY THEATRE AND SILENT FILM STAR : BROADWAY : RPPC

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 3 (SOLD)

Postcard 1 features German actress, Emily “Emmy” Wehlen (1887-1977). She was a Edwardian musical comedy and silent film actress. She retired from acting at a young age (early 30’s), Wehlen received her musical training at the Mannheim Conservatory. She then joined the Thalia-Theatre and performed in musical comedies in several German cities. She was then invited to London and was considered as a possible successor to Lily Elsie. Wehlen played the lead role in “The Merry Widow” (1909). Later that year she appeared in the hit musical “The Dollar Princess” which ran for 428 performances. Next stop was New York, where she appeared in four Broadway plays between 1911 and 1915. Shortly after her last Broadway appearance, Wehlen left the stage and pursued a film career.  She appeared in over twenty films between 1915 and 1920. “Everybody’s Magazine (1911) reported that Wehlen was very pretty and very graceful. Her acting and voice were also praised. In addition, the article stated that “she has the indescribable charm of personality” and that audiences liked her and wanted her to never leave the stage during a production. Miss Wehlen’s photograph on this postcard was taken by celebrity studio, Foulsham & Banfield. The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.11717H).

In Postcard 2, Wehlen is beautifully dressed for the portrait appearing on the postcard. She looks a bit clownish with her ruffled collar. There are flowers pinned to the front of her dress and she is wearing a jumbo feathered hat. She has a beautiful smile. The card was published by EAS as part of a series (no.1868/2). The firm was located in London and New York. The postcard was printed in Germany. Interestingly, the word “imperfect” is printed in two places on the front of the card. The word “chic” appears in the upper right hand corner of the image. Emmy Wehlen fits the bill. She is truly chic. The message on the postcard indicates that it was written in 1913.  (SOLD)

Postcard 3 features Miss Wehlen’s photograph taken by celebrity studio, Dover Street Studios. The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.11717E). The message on the card indicates that the sender hoped that this photo postcard was meant to be an addition to the recipient’s postcard collection. (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

POSTCARD 3

Published in: on March 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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