DANCE COUPLE : PERFORMING IN BRAZIL : CARNAVAL : RPPC 1908

This vintage real photo postcard features an attractive dance couple. It appears that the dancers are from Brazil (judging by the postmark). The male dancer is wearing a very cool white suit while the woman is wearing traditional clothing. Both of the dancers are flashing beautiful smiles. This postcard was published by L. Langebartels. The firm was located in Berlin, Germany and also was a supplier of photographic paper and plates. The card was postmarked in 1908 in Bahia, Brazil. Bahia is in northeastern Brazil. Interestingly, the city’s annual carnaval celebration is known to bring together flamboyantly costumed dancers with samba and axe music for a massive “street party”. Could the couple seen in this postcard be carnaval dancing? SOLD

Published in: on March 14, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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LADIES AT TRAIN DEPOT : EARLY HATS & FASHION : PERU, ILLINOIS : RPPC 1912

This original real photo postcard (RPPC) captures a wonderful street-scene moment in Peru, Illinois, dated in white script “June 20, 1912.” The image shows a line of well-dressed women posing in front of a decorated railcar, each wearing distinctive Edwardian-era hats, gloves, skirts, and jackets typical of the early 1910s. Their clothing reflects the transitional fashion just on the cusp of the WWI era—wide-brim hats, tailored skirts, puffed sleeves, and light summer fabrics. Some of the women hold small handbags or parasols. Behind them, men peer out from the open windows of the train car, adding a sense of liveliness and curiosity to the scene. One man salutes the camera; another hides behind a sheet of paper, giving the photograph an unexpectedly humorous human touch. A large banner hangs across the car, promoting what appears to be a dance or social event, and a patriotic American flag drapes along the side, suggesting a festive or community gathering. Another man holds a handbill announcing a dance at “Nicks Park”. The festive bunting and patriotic decorations hint at a local celebration, possibly connected to a summer social, excursion, or holiday event. The handwritten date (1912) anchors the postcard firmly in the pre-war Edwardian period, and the setting—an outdoor rail platform with the ornate wooden passenger car—captures small-town American life with charm and authenticity.The verso features a standard divided-back postcard layout, typical of 1907–1914 production, with no writing or postmark.  (SOLD)

Published in: on March 12, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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LUCY DORAINE : HUNGARIAN FILM STAR OF THE 1920’S

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The pretty young woman featured in this risque vintage real photo postcard (Postcard 1) is Hungarian actress, Lucy Doraine (1898-1989). She began her film career shortly after her teenage years. Her mentor was Hungarian director, Michel Curtiz. He was also the first of four husbands. The pair worked together for about five years in Budapest and Vienna. They had gone to Vienna in 1919 to flee the political and military morass in Hungary. Doraine remained a European film star until 1927. Eventually, Doraine left for Hollywood, but her career did not take off. She was confined to playing supporting roles and she was young for this loss of starring roles to occur (about 30 years of age). She retired from her film career in 1933, but remained in the United States. The IMDb lists her as having 31 acting credits between 1916 and 1931.This postcard is of German origin and was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (no.572/2). The postcard was published between 1919 and 1924. The photograph was a publicity still for her appearance in Sodom and Gomorrah (1922), The youtube video below shows Lucy Doraine appearing in a 1922 film. The stamp box of this postcard has an interesting story. “NBC” (Neue Bromsilber Convention) was a price cartel established in 1909 that continued until the 1930’s. The purpose of the cartel was to ensure that the minimum price charged for postcards was kept at a sufficiently profitable level. A number of postcard publishing companies joined the cartel in an effort to stave off the effect of competition on the pricing of postcards. (POSTCARD 1 SOLD)                                                          

 Lucy Doraine is also the subject of postcard 2. Once again Miss Doraine is adorned with an elaborate and large feathered head piece. Apparently, she was quite showy. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag and was part of a series (no. 3438/1). Doraine’s photograph was taken by Alex Binder who practiced his profession in Berlin, Germany.  A number of actress portrait postcards by Binder can be found in the Cabinet Card Gallery. To view those images, place his name in the site’s search box.  (POSTCARD 2 SOLD)                                                                          

Postcard 3 features Miss Doraine in flamboyant attire. She is alluring, beautiful, and photogenic. Note her fur stole and pearls. Her hat is fantastic. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag and is part of a series (no.2046/2). The photographer of Miss Doraine’s portrait is Ernst Schneider.  Schneider 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)

doraine 2            POSTCARD 1   

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Published in: on March 9, 2026 at 11:30 am  Comments (2)  
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A GIRL WITH HER DOG : CHARMING RPPC : JACK RUSSELL DOG : 1926

This charming vintage real photo postcard captures a delightful scene of a little girl lovingly holding her dog. She wears a short-sleeved dress with decorative trim—possibly silk or rayon—featuring a playful geometric pattern or layering. Her hair is styled in tight curls—indicative of a child’s fashionable curls in the 1920s. The dog, small and alert, could be a toy or miniature Chihuahua‑type, with pointy ears and a poised stance. I believe it is most likely a Jack Russell Terrier. The pair sit against a painted backdrop with floral imagery, creating a refined and innocent studio portrait. The postcard is from publisher Perfect, with the signature “Perfect” scripted on the lower left of the front. The card is postally used, with handwriting on the reverse, a green 10-centime stamp from Belgium, and a postmark dated 1926, likely from Sottegem, Belgium. The handwritten message on the reverse is in French is addressed to recipient in Belgium. Translated, the missage message reads: “Kindly and affectionately”.  (SOLD)

Published in: on March 6, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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GLAMOROUS FRENCH MODEL : RISQUE BEADED COSTUME : SEMI NUDE : JEAN AGELOU : RPPC

This risque postcard features a sepia-toned image of a striking woman posed in a theatrical, evocative setting. She stands confidently, her body slightly angled, with one leg bent gracefully at the knee. Her scanty attire consists of an ornate, jewel-encrusted bikini-style costume adorned with beads and shimmering details, complemented by a garter on her thigh. She holds a piece of gauzy fabric in one hand, which adds a sense of movement and allure to the image. Her delicate high-heeled shoes contribute to her poised, elegant stance. The woman’s long, wavy hair cascades over her shoulders, framing her face, which exudes a calm, almost introspective expression. Her gaze is soft, directed downward as though lost in thought, lending an enigmatic quality to her overall appearance. This type of postcard, often referred to as a risqué or “boudoir” card, was a popular collectible in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While such images were considered daring or provocative for the era, they were also widely accepted within artistic and theatrical circles, particularly in Paris and other European cultural hubs. These postcards often featured dancers, actresses, or models and were sometimes used for advertising performances or as keepsakes. This photograph was likely taken by renowned French photographer, Jean Agélou. Agelou is credited with photographing other real photo postcards from this series.  SOLD

Published in: on March 1, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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FRANCOISE FABIAN : PRETTY AND PROLIFIC FRENCH FILM ACTRESS

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The pretty young woman featured in this vintage real photo postcard is Michele Cortes de Leone y Fabianera. Her stage name is Francoise Fabian (1933- ). She is a French film actress and she has appeared in more than 80 French and International films since 1956. She began as a stage actress and performed at the Paris Conservatoire. She trained at the Algerian Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. She is known for acting in “My Night at Maud’s” (1969), “Belle de Jour” (1967), and “Happy New Year” (1973). She acted in films by Eric Rohmer and Louis Malle. Fabian was born in Algiers, French Algeria. Her father was Spanish and her mother was Polish. She was married and widowed twice. Her first husband, Jacques Becker, was a French screenwriter and film director. Her second husband was French film actor, Marcel Bozzuffi. His roles included playing the brutal hit man in “The French Connection” (1971). The photographer of this portrait photo is Sam Levin (1904-1992). He was born in the Ukraine but emigrated to France when he was two years of age. He is famous for his stage photographs and his portraits of movie stars. His studio was in Paris. Levin was a film photographer for 75 films. He was arrested by the Nazis during World War II and was sent to a camp. His crime was, being Jewish. The fact that he was sent to a detention camp rather than a death camp, indicates there was a high ranking Nazi official acting as his guardian angel. He photographed nearly all the major French and European movie stars of the 1950’s and 1960’s. He is particularly celebrated for his photos of Brigitte Bardot. Levin did over 180 magazine covers in the United States. This postcard was published by Kores, a French company. The card is part of a series (#894). The series is comprised of 100 postcard portraits.  (SOLD)                                    

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Published in: on February 28, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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JEAN AYLWIN : PRETTY BRITISH ACTRESS & SINGER : RAPHAEL TUCK : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features a striking portrait of Jean Aylwin (1885-1964), a pretty British actress and singer from the early 20th century. She gained fame for her performances in musical comedies and plays in London and she also toured internationally. Aylwin was associated with the popular Gaiety Theater productions. She had notable performances in several successful productions including “The New Aladdin” (1906), “The Girls of Gottenberg” (1907) and “Our Miss Gibbs” (1909). Aylwin also appeared in two silent films. She married in 1913 but the marriage ended in divorce in 1924. She was accused of adultery with a noted composer of her time. After her divorce, her career declined. She later worked as a housekeeper. In 1926, she briefly worked as a BBC radio broadcaster. In this portrait, Jean Aylwin is presented with a soft, coquettish elegance that was typical of early 20th-century stage and postcard imagery. She is shown seated and slightly angled toward the camera, her head gently tilted, with her hands clasped at her chest in a demure, almost confessional pose. Her expression is warm and inviting—large, dark eyes looking directly at the viewer beneath delicately arched brows, with a faint, knowing smile that suggests charm rather than overt theatricality. She wears an ornate period costume with layers of lace and sheer fabric, the bodice trimmed with ruffles that frame her neckline and sleeves. Dark ribbon accents at the sleeves and waist provide contrast against the pale, airy textiles. Her hair is styled neatly and topped with a frilled cap or bonnet, finished with a prominent dark bow that adds visual drama and balance to the composition. Overall, the image emphasizes her youthful femininity, grace, and approachability, qualities that clearly made her well suited for popular theatrical and postcard circulation of the era. Jean’s career in the performing arts overlapped with the golden age of postcards, and her image frequently appeared on souvenir postcards like this one. The card is published by Raphael Tuck, a notable postcard company active in England during the early 20th century. The card is part of the series, numbered T1255, and was published and printed in England. This postcard is in good condition (see scans).

This vintage postcard is available for purchase at The History Peddler for $14.00 or Best Offer.   

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236552839717

Published in: on January 13, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MISS MARJORIE VILLIS : RISQUE PORTRAIT OF A STRIKINGLY PRETTY BRITISH ACTRESS

This vintage real photo postcard portrait feature British silent film actress, Marjorie Villis (1891-1981). Miss Villis is quite pretty and has a wonderful smile. This photograph captures her in a risque pose and a risque costume. What an amazing elaborate and busy costume. When I first saw this image, I immediately became motivated to find information about this provocative actress. I met little success in learning about Marjorie Villis. Photographs of her appear to be uncommon, and I could not find the postcard above anywhere online. I did learn that she sat for seven postcard portraits that can be found in the UK’s National Portrait Gallery, All of the portraits were taken by celebrated photographer, Alexander Bassano. The IMDb credits Villis with 15 film roles between 1915 and 1922. Villis was most noted for her roles in “The Rugged Path (1918), “A Romany Lass (1918)”, and  “Brenda of the Barge (1920). She had a relatively short career. I wonder why her career ended so abruptly? The first talkie feature film did not get released until 1927, so we know that, unlike many other silent film stars, Villis was not shut out of the film industry because of an unsuitable voice or foreign accent. This postcard was published by J. Beagles & Company (London)  as part of a series (no.142 J). The wonderful portrait of Miss Villis was taken by S. Ward. This vintage postcard is in very good condition (see scans)

This cabinet card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $35.00 or best offer.

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336231732840

Published in: on January 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MARY PICKFORD : AMERICA’S SWEETHEART : ROTARY PHOTO : HAND TINTED RPPC 1920

This beautiful vintage real photo postcard features Mary Pickford, shown here in a soft, introspective portrait that perfectly captures the romantic visual style of the early 1910s. Pickford is posed in three-quarter profile, her gaze cast downward, with her signature long curls cascading over her shoulders. She wears a delicate, flowing gown rendered in subtle hand-applied color, with pale blue and warm cream tones carefully brushed over the original photograph, lending the image a dreamy, ethereal quality. The overall effect is gentle and luminous, emphasizing her youthful features and expressive eyes. This postcard was produced by Rotary Photo, one of the most prolific and collectible publishers of celebrity real photo postcards in the early 20th century. The image is identified by the ID No. S.62-2, printed at the lower edge, and the reverse confirms it was printed in England via (Rajer Bromide). Mary Pickford needs little introduction; often called “America’s Sweetheart,” she was one of the most beloved and influential actresses of the silent film era, helping to define early Hollywood stardom. This particular image emphasizes her emotional subtlety and screen presence rather than theatrical glamour, making it especially appealing to collectors of classic film portraiture. The reverse reveals the postcard was postally used and that it is bearing a British King George V one-penny red stamp, postmarked in 1920. The card was mailed to someone in Harrogate, England. The handwritten message reads, in part “Just a card to let you know I am quite well. Hoping you are the same. Best love…”.  (SOLD)

Published in: on January 5, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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GERMAN SCHOOLBOY POSES WITH GIANT PRETZEL : FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL : RPPC 1928

This evocative scalloped edge vintage real photo postcard captures a young school-aged child posed formally in a studio setting, dated 1928, during the late Weimar Republic period in Germany. The child stands confidently beside a sculptural studio prop resembling intertwined branches, resting one hand upon it while wearing a traditional school outfit of the era. Slung over the shoulders is a rigid school satchel (Schultasche), a detail that firmly anchors this image in everyday German childhood life of the 1920s. Most striking is the oversized pretzel-shaped prop placed prominently in the foreground. Far more than a whimsical accessory, the pretzel is a long-standing symbol in German culture, often associated with good fortune, nourishment, and childhood traditions. Its exaggerated size suggests a playful studio device meant to charm parents and relatives, blending symbolism with visual appeal.The painted studio backdrop—featuring a tree trunk and rustic fencing—adds a pastoral, storybook quality, contrasting gently with the child’s serious, composed expression. This blend of innocence and formality is characteristic of early 20th-century European studio portraiture. The sign beside the child translates as : “My First Day of School – 1928”. This inscription confirms the occasion and elevates the postcard from a simple portrait to a commemorative milestone image. Postcards like this were often produced to mark important life events—first school day, confirmations, or birthdays—and were commonly sent to extended family members. The clean, unused reverse suggests this example was preserved as a keepsake rather than mailed. The overall condition of this postcard is very good. The card has light, even age toning consistent with period silver gelatin postcards. There is minor surface wear at it’s corners. There are no creases. The image remains sharp with excellent contrast. Please review scans carefully for full condition details.

This cabinet card is available for purchase at The History Peddler for $36.00 at auction

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236546499067

Published in: on January 4, 2026 at 12:08 pm  Comments (1)  
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