This cabinet card portrait features actress Gipsy Touzeau. She is pretty and she is an obscure performer. Information about her is not easily accessible. It would be interesting to do the research to discover more about her. This photograph of Touzeau was taken by the Ellis & Walery studio (London, England). Alfred Ellis was an active photographer between 1884 and 1899. He was a well regarded photographer who speciatlized in theatrical photography. He took photographs of individual performers, as well as whole scenes with multiple actors and actresses. Between 1890 and 1900, Ellis was joined by Stanislaw Julian Ignacy (aka Count Ostrong). The name “Walery” was adopted for professional purposes by his prominent photographer father. The younger Stanislaw kept the name. (SOLD)
Postcard 1 features a portrait of beautiful English stage actress Nina Sevening (1885-1958). She was 22 years old at the time of this photo. Miss Sevening began her stage career as a child in 1894. She became a major theater actress, singer, and light comedienne. Some of her credits include “Three Little Maids” (1903), “The Merry Widow” (1907), and Peter Pan (1913). Nina Sevening retired from the stage in 1917. The postcard image of Miss Sevening, seen in Postcard 1 is uncommon. It was produced by London’s Philco Publishing Company as part of a series (no. 3390A). The message on the postcard is timeless. The writer, who was on vacation, apologizes for not writing sooner. The postcard was postmarked in Coventry, England in 1907. SOLD
Postcard 2 features another beautiful image of the 20 year-old Miss Sevening. She is wearing a large hat which can be best described as “busy”. Once again, Philco is the publisher and the card is part of a series (no. 3050 B). The photographer is Bassano (1829 –1913). He was a leading royal and high society photographer in Victorian London. The postmark on the postcard is from Burton on Trent and is dated 1905. The writer of Postcard 2 starts the message with a thank you for a “pretty postcard” that was received from the addressee (Gladys). The writer also reports on the condition of someone who was fighting “bronchial pneumonia”. SOLD
Postcard 3 was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons as part of the “Celebrities of the Stage” series (No.T 1300). Raphael Tuck and his wife started their photography business in 1866 in London. Their store sold pictures, greeting cards, and in time, postcards. Their success came from the sale of postcards during the late 1890’s and early 1900’s.Three of Tuck’s four sons participated in the business. Miss Sevening’s photograph was taken by the Dover Street Studios. The studio was active between circa 1906 and circa 1912. The gallery specialized in taking theatrical portraits and was located in London, England. This postcard is received its postmark in 1911. SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard features English film actress, Julie Suedo (1902-1978). She played a number of glamorous roles in the 1920’s and 1930’s. She usually occupied a supporting role, rather than a starring one. The IMDb credits Suedo with 43 film appearance between 1923 and 1945. This postcard was published as part of the Picturegoer Series 88 (no.330). This photo postcard is not a common photo of Miss Suedo. (SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty young woman, attractively dressed, posing at the Ideal Studio for her portrait. She is accompanied by her very expressive dog. The dog appears to be a Jack Russell Terrier. The photo gallery was located in Putney, England. Putney is a district in southwest London. SOLD
Fay Compton (1894-1978) is the subject of this vintage real photo postcard. Compton was an English actress who appeared in many films, but was best known for her stage performances. She was a versatile actress who appeared in Shakespeare, Modern Drama, Comedy, and Classics (ie Ibsen and Chekhov. She appeared on stage in Britain, and toured the United States and Australia. Compton was born in London. Her father, mother, brother, and grandfather were all actors. She was the younger sister of actress Viola Comton. Compton’s stage debut was in 1911 with Pelissier’s Follies which was produced by H. G. Pelissier. Though still a teenager, she married Mr. Pelissier who died soon thereafter, leaving her with a child. She quickly married singer Lauri de Frece. Compton’s first American appearance was in 1914 and occurred at the Shubert Theatre in New York. In 1917, she played the title role in the London performances of Peter Pan. In the 1920’s and 1930’s she performed in many of Shakespeare’s plays. She also played in a number of plays written by J. M. Barrie. Barrie wrote the play, “Mary Rose” especially for her. Her second husband died in 1921 and in 1923, she married actor Leon Quartermaine. During the 1930’s she played in both West End plays and Shakespeare. The 1940’s and 1950’s found Compton continuing to play in Shakespeare productions, and other roles including Noel Cowards “Blithe Spirit”, “The Importance of Being Earnest”, “Uncle Vanya”, and “What Every Woman Knows”. In 1942, her third marriage failed and she married actor Ralph Michael. Their marriage dissolved after four years. Compton also appeared in films. Her IMDb filmography reveals that she appeared in 82 films between 1914 and 1970. The IBDb indicates that she performed in three Broadway shows between 1915 and 1959. At one point, Compton had her own drama school. One of her students was actor Alec Guinness.
Postcard 1 Miss Compton’s portrait on this postcard was taken by Rita Martin, a well known celebrity photographer. The card was published by J. Beagles Postcards as part of a series (no.258.8). The company produced a variety of postcards including an extensive catalog of celebrity (stage and screen) portrait postcards. The company closed in 1939. The card was postmarked in 1920. The postcard is in very good condition (see scans).
Postcard 2 was printed in Britain and was part of the Lilywhite Photographic Series (no. L 4). Miss Compton looks absolutely beautiful . She is wearing a pretty dress and a beaded necklace (pearls?). The publisher, Lilywhite Ltd, Halifax (L.L.H.), was founded by Arthur Frederick Sergeant. He also was the founder of Halifax Photographic Company which was based in Halifax, England. Lilywhite began publishing postcards in 1910; and in the 1920’s, the company took over Arrow Series Postcards. The company then published postcards under both the Arrow and Lilywhite names. SOLD
Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3712
To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below
$18.39
Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 3712
To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below
This vintage real photo postcard features four students at Whitelands College, along with four children, celebrating May Day. They are holding a thin rope behind their backs. The previous owner of this postcard described the photo as a photograph of a “daisy chain”. I am not sure of what that means, but I find the individuals in this photo, and the nature of what they are doing, quite intriguing. Whitelands College is located in London and is one of the oldest of all higher education institutions in England. The college is part of the University of Roehampton. The college was founded in 1841 by the Church of England’s National Society. The school was established as a teacher training college for women. It holds the distinction of being England’s first college of higher education to admit women. The school has a long tradition of holding two major annual festivals. One of these is the May Day Festival. Whitelands College held it’s first May Day festival in 1881. The festival is held annually and traditions include electing a “May Queen”. The queens’s “coronation” is presided over by a visiting Anglican Bishop. It is interesting to note that photos reveal that children took part in the coronation ceremony. For example, a young girl would walk behind the queen holding the train of the queen’s gown during the procession. Another tradition at the school is the maypole dance. This postcard was published by J. Russell & Sons. The studio was located in the Crystal Palace. The Crystal Palace was built of cast iron and plate glass. It was constructed in Hyde Park, London and it was the home of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The structure was destroyed by fire in 1936. James Russell & Sons were photographers in England that were active between the 1850’s and 1940’s. The studio has 692 portraits residing in the National Portrait Gallery. This postcard records interesting social history. It is in very good condition (see scans).
Buy this original vintage real photo postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3621
To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below
$24.37
Buy this Origianal Vintage Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 3621
To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below
This vintage real photo postcard features pretty actress, Miss Ruth Lytton (1875-1939). She sat for two portraits in England’s National Portrait Gallery’s collection. Lytton was an English born stage and music hall actress. She was active in the early 1900’s. Lytton was the daughter of a goldsmith/jewelrer. She was married twice, first to a well known comedian (George Henry Bastow), and second, to a salesman. This postcard was published by Empire Series, Pictorial Postcard Company Ltd, London, England. The card is part of a series (no.1029). This divided back vintage postcard is color tinted and is in very good condition (see scans).
Buy this original vintage real photo postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3617
To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below
$18.49
Buy this Origianal Vintage Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 3617
To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below
This vintage postcard features stage actress, Miss May Taverner. Information about this early nineteenth century stage actress is not easily accessible. Deeper research will be needed to uncover biographical information about her life. Taverner was a successful enough actress to have seven of her portraits in the National Portrait Gallery. I found a vintage photo postcard of Miss Taverner and Marion Terry as they appeared in the play “Quality Street”. The play, a comedy, was written by “Peter Pan” writer, J. M. Barrie. The original production, on Broadway, opened in 1901 and ran for 64 performances. In 1902, the London production of Quality Street became a hit. It ran for 459 performances. Headlining the cast was Seymour Hicks and Ellaline Terriss. It appears that Taverner had a minor role. The photographer cited on this postcard is from the “Biograph Studio). This card is part of the “Wrench Series (no.4703)”. Why is the word “Wrench” meaning in this context? The series is named after (John) Evelyn Leslie Wrench. The series was published from 1900 through 1906. Wrench went on to become a newspaperman. He was knighted in 1932.This postcard has a 1904 English postmark. The message on the card is interesting. The writer indicates that she is sending this card for the addressees postcard collection. This postcard is in fair condition and priced accordingly. Note the stain on the left margin of the card. See scans for condition.
Buy this original Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3593
To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below
$7.49
Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 3593
To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below
This vintage real photo postcard features Miss Mabel Hirst. She was a stage and film actress. She was in just one film, “Then You’ll Remember Me” (1918). Interestingly, the film was directed by a woman, Edith Mellor. However, misogyny was the name of the game in 1918, and Miss Mellor was credited as Edward Waltyre. As a stage actress, Hirst’s productions included “The Cingale” (1904), The Merry Widow (1910), and “The Marriage Market” (1913). Surprisingly, my preliminary research yielded scant biographical information about Miss Hirst. I found one postcard that featured Mabel Hirst posed with her sister, Elizabeth Hirst, and her brother, Tom Hirst. Tom wore a military unifrom in the portrait and unfortunately, he was killed in World War I. Mabel died at age 49 in Ontario, Canada. This vintage postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.1739 C). Her portrait was taken by Play Pictorial. “Play Pictorial” was an English theatre magazine published in London between 1902 and 1939.The publication provided a pictorial presentation of West End theatrical productions with each issue focusing on just one play. The card was mailed in 1906. (SOLD)
Karina. She was celebrity enough to use only her first name. More modern performers who are recognized by just one name include Elvis, Madonna, and Adele. Who was Karina? As the caption on the postcard asserts, Karina was the premiere dancer at the Royal Opera House and the founder of Madame Karina’s Royal School of Dancing. The school was under the patronage of Queen Alexandra (of Denmark). The Queen was a staunch supporter of the opera ballet from 1913 through the 1920’s. Karina was Danish and active in the 1910’s and 1920’s. Two portraits of Karina can be found in Great Britain’s National Portrait Gallery. The photograph seen on this postcard was taken by the esteemed studio of Elliott & Fry. This Victorian photographic studio and photographic film manufacturer was founded in 1863 by Joseph John Elliott and Clarence Edmund Fry. For an entire century the studio took and published images of leading Victorian luminaries from the fields of science, public service, art, politics, as well as celebrities of the day. SOLD
POSTCARD 3 (SOLD)
POSTCARD 2 (SOLD) 
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 