LILIAN HALL-DAVIS : BRITISH SILENT FILM ACTRESS : DIED BY SUICIDE AT 35 : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features British silent film actress, Lilian Hall-Davis (1898-1933). She had much success in silent films but struggled with the transition from silent to sound films. This frustration and disappointment likely led to her experiencing mental health problems and eventually to her suicide at the age of 35.  She was one of Britain’s leading actresses in the 1920’s, appearing in numerous films that showcased her charm, talent and on-screen presence. She worked with some of the most respected directors of her time and was a recognized talented actress in both British and International films. She starred in both romantic and dramatic roles. She is best remembered for her performances in two of Alfred Hitchcock’s films, “The Ring” (1927) and “The Farmer’s Wife” (1928). Other notable performances were in “The Passionate Adventure” (1924), “The Ghost Train” (1927), and “The Guns of Loos” (1928). Her popularity is reflected by the number of collectible postcards (such as this one) and photographs that were published during her era. This postcard shows Miss Hall-Davis with short wavy styled dark hair. understated make-up and large expressive eyes. Her gaze is slightly off-camera, conveying a reflective, almost wistful mood. She is wearing an elegant sleeveless dress adorned with embellishments along the shoulder strap. A delicate pearl necklace adds to her refined and classic look. The photographer of Miss Hall-Davis’s portrait was Schneider, a Berlin based photographer, The postcard was published by Ross Verlag (Berlin). Ernst Schneider was one of the most celebrated studio photographers in Berlin during three decades (1900’s, 1910’s, 1920’s). He photographed many celebrities from the world of theater, opera, circuses, and film. He was also one of the most prominent fashion photographers in Berlin. In addition, he was well known for his nude photography and he published books showcasing his work in this domain. Sometime around 1908 Schneider began working with postcard publishers “Rotophot” and “Neue Photographische Gesellschaft” (NPG). In 1919 he began working with Ross Verlag.  SOLD

Published in: on November 25, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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LYA MARA : GERMAN SILENT FILM STAR : PRODUCER FREDERIC ZELNICK’S WIFE : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features German silent film star, Lya Mara (1897-1960). She was born in Latvia. Mara was trained as a ballerina. She was a stage performer before World War I. Her rise to fame was rapid and her career spanned a number of continents. Her first film in Germany was in 1918. It was produced by renowned producer, Frederic Zelnick, whom she married in 1918. Zelnick promoted her into major stardom. Her popularity in film was illustrated by the hundreds of photographs of her produced into postcards, cigarette cards, and trade cards. She had exotic looks, expressive eyes, and ability to convey complex emotions non verbally. These attributes made her perfect for appearing in silent films. In film she displayed a combination of sex appeal and naivety. A serious car accident in the 1920’s interrupted her career. At the end of the 1920’s she appeared in a number of Austrian films. She was unsuccessful in making the transition into sound films. In 1933, with Hitler in power, Zelnick and Mara hightailed it to London. She spent the last years of her life in Switzerland. Her long filmography spans from 1916 to 1931. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.1218/3). Mara’s photograph was taken by Ernst Schneider. He was considered to be one of the most celebrated studio photographers in Berlin during three decades (1900’s, 1910’s, 1920’s. He photographed many celebrities from the world of theater, opera, circuses, and film. He was also one of the most prominent fashion photographers in Berlin. In addition, he was well known for his nude photography and he published books showcasing his work in this domain. Sometime around 1908 Schneider began working with postcard publishers “Rotophot” and “Neue Photographische Gesellschaft” (NPG). In 1919 he began working with Ross Verlag. (SOLD)

Published in: on November 18, 2025 at 12:59 pm  Leave a Comment  
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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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CUTE LITTLE GIRL WITH SPARKLING EYES (1908 RPPC)

This vintage real photo features a cute little girl with sparkling eyes. Her smile is infectious. She must have been a spark plug. The postcard was published by NPG (“Neue Photographische Gesellschaft” as part of a series (no.721/3). The card has a Belgian stamp and is postmarked in the Belgian town of Petit-Fays. The postmark year is 1908.   SOLD

Published in: on July 30, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ADORABLE LITTLE GIRL HOLDING A BOUQUET OF ROSES ALOFT

An adorable little girl wearing a frilly dress is the star of this vintage real photo postcard. She is absolutely adorable as she flashes a wide smile and holds a bouquet of roses (?) aloft. Beside the darling child is a basket of flowers. The postcard was published by E. A. Schwerdtfeger & Co. (EAS) and was part of a series (no. 04721/5). The publisher was established in 1894 and expanded in 1920 when the company took over the publishing department of NPG. EAS had offices in Berlin and London.   SOLD

Published in: on November 19, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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MARCELLE YRVEN : FRENCH STAGE AND FILM STAR (1904)

This vintage real photo postcard features French stage and film star, Marcelle Yrven (1877-1954). Miss Yrven is pretty and photogenic. Her IMDb filmography reports that she was in thirteen films between 1925 and 1942. She also appeared in many theater productions between 1898 and 1935. This postcard is hand colored. The card was published in Germany by NPG (Neue Photographische Gesellschaft) as part of a series (no.435/3). A. G. Steglitz is also listed as a publisher. The postcard is an “Oranotypie” and was published in 1904. An oranotype is a trade name for a type of glossy real photo postcard published by NPG. The company was a leading bromide photo printing company for many years.at the beginning of the 20th century.  SOLD

Published in: on November 3, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN : LOTS OF FLOWERS : RPPC (1910)

This vintage postcard features a pretty young woman with lots of flowers. She is wearing a few of these flowers in her hair. Note the  detail of the flowers. The dark haired postcard model has a woderful smile. This postcard was published by NPG (“Neue Photographische Gesellschaft”  as part of a series (No.1622).  The postcard is in very good condition (see scans). 

npg1622_0001

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5225

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Published in: on August 22, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRINCE JOACHIM VON PREUBEN : STORY OF A SAD SHORT LIFE

The young man looking sharp in his crisp military uniform is Prince Joachim Franz Humbert of Prussia (1890-1920). He was the sixth child of Wilhelm II, the German Emperor. His mother was Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein. In 1916, officials in Ireland gave thought to giving the throne to Prince Joachim with the idea that Ireland would be safer a German King if Germany were to win World War I. Prince Joachim was also considered as a possible candidate to the Georgian throne after its independence following the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Prince held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards. He held over thirty honors awarded by several nations. His awards included the Iron Cross from Germany. In 1916, Joachim married Princess Marie-Auguste of Anhalt (1898-1983). The couple had one son, Prince Karl Franz Josef Wilhelm Friedrich Eduard Paul (1916-1975). They may have had only one child, but they used enough first names to cover six more sons. I suppose that is a liberty reserved for royalty. Joachim became a commoner when his father abdicated the thrown. He became very depressed and committed suicide by gunshot in 1920. He was only 29 years old at the time of is death. It is believed that he had significant financial woes that added to his depression. Prior to his death, he divorced his wife, which likely led to further mood problems. This real photo postcard was published by “NPG” (Neue Photographische Gesellschaft) as part of a series (no.4954). The company was a leading bromide photo printing company for many years.  The photographer was Ernst Sandau (1880-1918). He was born in Sweden and died in Germany. Some believe that he may have been killed in World War I. Sandau operated a studio in Berlin, Germany and was active between 1912 and 1918. His son, Ernst Jr., was also a photographer. SOLD

Published in: on May 29, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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EVELYN HOLT : GERMAN ACTRESS : BANNED FROM FILM BY THE NAZIS : RPPC

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 3 (SOLD)

Evelyn Holt (3 October 1908 – 22 February 2001) was a German actress. Her father was a journalist. Her film career began with UFA, a German film company. It did not take long for her to become a film star. She was popular in the 1920’s and early 1930’s. Holt was blond and blue eyed. In 1931 she became a soubrette at the Grosses Schauspielhaus (a popular theatre) in Berlin. Her film career came to an abrupt end when the Nazis’ took power. It was alleged that Holt was half Jewish, and she was banned from films. The ban was based on her being born with a Jewish sounding last name. Holt married Jewish publisher Felix Guggenheim (1904-1976) in 1936. Two years later the couple emigrated to Switzerland, then England, then the United States. She remained in the U.S. and never returned to acting.

Postcard 1 reveals that Evelyn Holt was quite pretty. She looks very confident in this image. Her dress is shiny. Is it silk? This postcard was published by Ross Verlag, a firm located in Berlin. The card was part of a series (no.6509/2). The photographer of this portrait is Walther Jaeger and the photograph was taken in Berlin, Germany. (SOLD)

Postcard 2 was published by Iris Verlag. Iris Verlag in Vienna was the most important Austrian publisher of film star postcards.  The logo for “Lux Film” can be seen in the lower left hand corner of  the image. The company was an Italian Film distribution and production company. This card is part of a series (no.946).  (SOLD)

Postcard 3  was published by Ross Verlag, a firm located in Berlin. The card was part of a series (no.3553/1). The photographer of this portrait is Ernst Schneider and the photograph was taken in Berlin, Germany.  He was considered to be one of the most celebrated studio photographers in Berlin during three decades (1900’s, 1910’s, 1920’s). He photographed many celebrities from the world of theater, opera, circuses, and film. He was also one of the most prominent fashion photographers in Berlin. In addition, he was well known for his nude photography, and he published books showcasing his work in this domain. Sometime around 1908 Schneider began working with postcard publishers “Rotophot” and “Neue Photographische Gesellschaft” (NPG). In 1919 he began working with Ross Verlag. The card was postmarked in 1928 in the city of Riga, Latvia.  (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

POSTCARD 3

Published in: on March 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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1st DOROTHY IN WIZARD OF OZ : ANNA LAUGHLIN :AMERICAN STAGE & SILENT FILM STAR

This vintage real photo postcard features American stage and silent film actress, Anna Laughlin (1885-1937). One of her major claims to fame is that she was the first actress to play Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. She was born in California and began her stage career as a “child elocutionist” (public speaker). At age six, she started acting in vaudeville and later, in touring theater companies. When she was a young teenager, she began appearing on Broadway. In 1900, she was in the Belle of Bohemia and in 1903 she performed in the Wizard of Oz. According to the IBDb, Laughlin appeared in eight Broadway shows between 1900 and 1914. The IMDb reports that Laughlin acted in 14 silent films between 1913 and 1915. She is most well known for her roles in “Northern Lights” (1914), “The Greyhound” (1914), “The Amazing Mr. Fellman” (1915) and “What Happened to Father” (1915). She quit show business in 1915 to focus on raising her daughter. Laughlin was married in 1904 (age about 19) to a jeweler. She was widowed in 1925. Laughlin’s daughter became a noted singer. Anna Laughlin died by suicide in 1937. Her cause of death was gas poisoning. She turned the gas on in her apartment because she was very depressed about being estranged from her daughter. They had previously been very close. According to the IMDb, the following words were found in her three page suicide note. “This is good-bye. People are dreadful. I love my child. I have given all I have in the world to put her where she is now … Lucy is never coming back. I am so afraid. Where did I fail?” This postcard was published in Germany by NPG (Neue Photographische Gesellschaft) as part of a series (no.1098). A. G. Steglitz is also listed as a publisher. The postcard is an “Oranotypie” and was published in 1904. An oranotype is a trade name for a type of glossy real photo postcard published by NPG. The company was a leading bromide photo printing company for many years at the beginning of the 20th century. This card has a French stamp and was postmarked in 1907. SOLD

Published in: on February 5, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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