THE MERCHANT OF THE MASKS (REAL PHOTO FRENCH POSTCARD BY ALBERT BERGERET)

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This spectacular vintage real photo postcard features a pretty young woman posed as a seller of theatrical masks.  Note the detail of the facial features of each mask. The masks are absolutely beautiful, as is their purveyor. This RPPC was produced by celebrated French artist Albert Bergeret (1859-1932) and published in Nancy, France. Included in Bergeret’s body of work is his series “Women of the Future”. In 1902 he designed a series of postcards depicting women at work in traditionally male professions. Seen below are some examples of these cards. We see a journalist and a soldier. Other cards included a physician, lawyer, and a military general. Bergeret was no feminist. In fact, many of his depictions in the series involved women in skimpy clothing. The pictures were more like pin-ups than a call for equal employment rights for women. Bergeret was a successful businessman. His studio became the leading postcard producer in France. In 1900 he produced 25 million cards and by 1903 he published 75 million postcards. He knew how to grow a business.

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REVERSE OF THE MERCHANT OF THE MASKS POSTCARD

Published in: on November 19, 2015 at 1:40 pm  Comments (1)  
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PRETTY WOMAN WITH A TERRIFIC SMILE (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)

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This vintage real photo postcard features a very pretty woman with a wonderful smile and luminous eyes. She is beautifully dressed and adorned by a necklace and flowers. Note her attracive and very detailed headpiece. The image is colored (hand tinted) and numbered (23) so is obviously part of a series. The name “Watteau” is scripted on the bottom right hand corner of the postcard. My preliminary research could not ascertain whether “Watteau” is the name of the beautiful model seen in this image or if it’s the name of the photographer. My hunch is that it is the name of the model. The reverse of this RPPC is blank, save lines for an address. Therefore, the publisher of this postcard is unknown.  (SOLD)

 

Published in: on November 16, 2015 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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ROMANTIC SCENE FROM THE PLAY “HAVANA” (1908): VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD

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This vintage real photo postcard captures a scene from the the stage production of “Havana” which appeared in 1908 at the Gaiety Theatre in London. The play ran for 221 performances before going on the road around England. The show later played in Berlin, Philadelphia and New York City (The Casino Theatre). Interestingly, future star, Gladys Cooper appeared in the chorus. The play’s plot was that Evie Greene was the daughter of a cigar store owner who also happened to be the mayor of Havana. She was promised to her cousin in marriage but was in love with an English yachtsman (McKay). To complicate matters, the McKay was suspected of being a revolutionary. The actors in this image are Evie Greene and Leonard McKay. Edith Elizabeth (“Evie”) Greene (1875-1917) was an English actress and singer who played in Edwardian Musical Comedies in London and on Broadway. She was quite beautiful and was often photographed. She was most known for starring in the international hit musical “Florodora” (1899). She sang in the cast album of the show which was historic because it was the world’s first original cast album. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no. 7431 F). It was printed in England. The photograph itself is 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.  (SOLD)

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Published in: on November 13, 2015 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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SYBIL ARUNDALE: BEAUTIFUL THEATER ACTRESS (VINTAGE POSTCARD)

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This item is a vintage postcard featuring the very attractive theater actress Sybil Arundale (1879-1965). Her stage roles included a number of Shakespeare plays. Her sister Grace was also an actress. The postcard was produced by Philco Publishing Company in London, England. It is number 3005 in a series. The photographer was Alexander Bassano (1829-1913) who was a leading royal and high society photographer located in London.   SOLD

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Published in: on October 30, 2015 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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TWO MEN MANNING THE DEEP FRYER AND DOING SOME SERIOUS COOKING (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)

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This vintage real photo postcard is truly unusual. The postcard features two male cooks manning a deep fryer. They are holding cooking utensils including spatulas. Note that they are wearing aprons that are so dirty that they were probably hoping that there would be no surprise visits from the health department department. Check out the broom leaning against the bricks to the left of the men.The previous owner of this postcard contends that the men in this image are cooking for a fish fry. That theory is likely accurate. The stamp box on this postcard indicates that is was produced between 1904 and 1920.  (SOLD)

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Published in: on October 24, 2015 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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IMAGE AND STORY: YOUNG SOLDIER COMES HOME FROM WORLD WAR I (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)

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On November 11th, 1918, World War I came to an end. It was a joyous time and soldiers and sailors from all the fighting nations were able to return home to their loved ones. This real photo postcard provides a visual image of that time in history. We see two ships speeding home on a a rough ocean. The postcard shows an American soldier who is portrayed as being on one of these ships. Note the American flag in the background as well as the flags on each ship. This was truly a patriotic time. On the reverse of the postcard is a most interesting message. On 12/13/18, about a month after the war’s end, Richard M. Daebelliehn (1889-1964) wrote a message to his wife. I will decipher it the best that I can as it is not totally legible. “Dear Wife, I will wire you just as soon as I hit USA and will have you meet me. You can be expecting a telegram from me”. He signed his name and followed it with an alphabet soup of letters, “HQ (headquarters) M.O.R.S. (?) A. E. F. (American Expeditionary Force) France. It also appears that the word “Cook” appears before his name. Daebelliehn sent this postcard to his wife who was living in Davenport, Iowa. Research reveals that his wife’s name was Grace Luttsia Anderson. The 1920 US census reports that the couple had two children, Dorothea (age 9), and Robert (age 7). The census, as well as many city directories, indicate that Richard was a butcher (meat cutter) for many years. In fact, he owned his own business. Knowing that Richard was a butcher before the war likely explains why he was a cook in the military. Richard and his family lived in Rock Island, Illinois at the time of the census. I wish I could say that after Richard was reunited with his family that they lived happily together for many years. However, Grace died in September of 1921 in Springfield, Illinois. Richard remarried (Margaret Daebelliehn) sometime before 1930. This postcard was produced by Furia, a French postcard company. The postcard certainly is a relic of history with an image on one side and a story on the other side.

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Published in: on October 20, 2015 at 12:00 pm  Comments (7)  
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“LUCKY DOG” NESTLES INTO PRETTY WOMAN’S SHOULDER -1906 REAL PHOTO POSTCARD WITH MYSTERY MESSAGE

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This vintage real photo postcard features a very cute puppy nestling into the shoulder af an attractive young woman. The humorous caption under the photo states “Lucky Dog”. The photograph is credited to “The Photographic Company of America” which was based in Chicago, Illinois. The 1900 copyright of the image is registered to the Tonnesen Sisters., The photographer of this postcard’s image is quite well known and well respected. Beatrice Tonnesen (1871-1958) was an American artist and photographer based in Chicago from 1896 through 1930. She pioneered the use of live models in print advertising. In addition, her photos were widely used as calendar art. Her sister, Clara handled the business aspects of Beatrice’s studio. The message on the postcard was written by “Ernest” in 1906 while he was in Adrian, Michigan. The postcard is addressed to Miss Gertrude Butters of Millinucket, Maine, Ernest’s message is quite mysterious and could be used as a lead in a story of intrigue. He writes “Was all packed. Trunk at depot and was going to start this (Friday) morning for Dakota when I received word for Bureau to wait. I wonder if I am a _ _.” Wow! First of all it seems likely that Ernest worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Second, what was Ernest wondering about in regard to his orders to “wait”. Why didn’t he finish his last sentence of his message. This postcard is in very good condition and chock full of history and intrigue. 

Published in: on October 17, 2015 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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PORTRAIT OF A PRETTY YOUNG BRIDE (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)

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This vintage real photo postcard features a beautiful young bride. She is wearing a wedding gown and a pretty veil with a band of flowers. She has dark curly hair.  She also has a  dark complexion suggesting a non American or European origin. I am struck by her young appearance. The postcard has an “AZO’ stamp box indicating that it was produced between 1904 and 1918.

Published in: on October 16, 2015 at 12:00 pm  Comments (7)  
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PORTRAIT OF A PRETTY YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)

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This vintage real photo postcard features a portrait of a pretty young African American woman. She projects an aura of sweetness. This image was created by an unknown photography studio. The AZO stamp box indicates that the photograph was taken between 1904 and 1918.  SOLD

Published in: on October 15, 2015 at 12:45 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF A FARM FAMILY (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)

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This vintage real photo postcard portrait features a farm family posing for their portrait in a field. An examination of the faces of this extended family displays the feeling of hard work and determination. The expression of the farmer holding his scythe truly captures the grit of a man facing lots of responsibility and pressure. Note that two of the girls in this family appear to be identical twins. This photo postcard is printed on AZO paper which was issued sometime between 1904 and 1918.

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Published in: on October 14, 2015 at 11:54 am  Comments (1)  
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