HENRIETTE WATSON : PHOTO BY LALLIE CHARLES : IN THORNTON WILDER PLAY : RPPC 1909

This vintage real photo postcard features British actress, Henriette Watson (1873-1964). Watson was born in Scotland. She made her stage debut at age seven. At sixteen, she was trained and practiced enough to take “second lead” in comedies and modern dramas. As she grew older, larger parts came her way. After appearing in a number of touring and London theater engagements, she joined a touring company on a six month tour of Australia. In 1892 she toured Australia again with the “Mrs Bernard Beere Company”.  She appeared in “As in a Looking Glass” with the company.. She toured Australia again in 1899. She later acted in Thornton Wilder’s play, “The Merchant of Yonkers”. Watson’s photo portrait was taken by the celebrated celebrity photographer, Lallie Charles. She was known for her talent as well as the fact that she was a female photographer, an unusual phenomenon for her era. The card is part of the Rival Photographic Series and it was manufactured in England. The postcard was postmarked in 1909. Note the chip on the right border of the card. Accordingly, this postcard is in fair condition (see scans).

henriette watson_0001

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Published in: on November 5, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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FANNIE WARD : PRETTY STAGE & SILENT FILM STAR : PHOTO BY LIZZIE CASWALL SMITH : RPPC 1905

This vintage real photo postcard features pretty American stage and silent film actress and film producer, Fannie Ward (1872-1952). She was also the star of light comedies on Broadway. She began her career in the early 1890s, and appeared in over 100 films between 1895 and 1920. She was known for her roles in silent comedies and melodramas, and was considered one of the most popular actresses of her time. She played starring roles in “Madam President”, “The Shop Girl” and many others. Her screen debut was in Cecil B DeMille’s sexually charged, “The Cheat” (1915). Ward also produced several films, including the 1913 film “The Chink in the Armour,” which was directed by her then-husband, Frank Keenan. She retired from acting in 1920, but continued to work in the film industry as a producer until her death in 1952. In addition, after her retirement from the screen, she opened a beauty salon in Paris called “The Fountain of Youth”. The name of the salon is a bit ironic. Ward was known for her youthful appearance. It was not ununsual for her to play the parts of women one of two decades her junior. Ward held feminist beliefs which she wasn’t shy to talk about. In 1909, she told a reporter that her husband hated her work and then pointed out the hypocrisy of society’s support of men pursuing their interests (ie. art, sports, travel) but not supporting women who did the same. In addition, Ward worked as a film producer, a role not usually populated by women. Rotary Photo published this postcard as part of a series (No.1661A). The firm was located in London. Miss Ward was photographed by celebrated female photographer, Lizzie Caswall Smith. This posted postcard has a 1905 postmark.  SOLD

Published in: on November 4, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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WELL ARMED OLD CHIEF OF GHADAMES : POST ITALO-TURKISH WAR : LIBYA : RPPC : 1913

This vintage real photo postcard features a portrait captioned “The Old Chief of Ghadanez”. The chief is well armed in this photo. He is holding a rifle and a sword. The modern spelling of Ghadanez is “Ghadames” or “Ghadamis”. Ghadames is an oasis Berber town in the Tripolitania region of northwestern Libya. The town is 287 miles southwest of Tripoli and lies near the borders with Tunisia and Algeria. Ghadames is known as “the pearl of the desert”. The town is mainly inhabited by Berbers. This postcard was postmarked in 1913. The card was sent during turbulent times in Ghadames. In 1911, soon after the Italo-Turkish War had begun, the town was occupied by Italian troops. The town changed hands a number of times until 1915, when a general rebellion caused the Italian soldiers to retreat to Tripoli. This postcard has an Italian stamp and a 1913 postmark. Interestingly, it is addressed to someone in Oakland, California. The message on the card is written in two languages, English and Italian. SOLD

Published in: on October 31, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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THELMA TODD : FILM ACTRESS : LUCKY LUCIANO : SUICIDE : PICTUREGOER : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features American actress, Thelma Todd (1906-1935).  She rose to prominence during the 1920s and 1930s as a comedic actress in both silent films and early talkies. Todd became known for her beauty, talent, and comedic timing, appearing in over 120 films throughout her career. She was nicknamed “The Ice Cream Blonde” and “Hot Toddy”. Todd began her entertainment career as a teenager, winning several beauty pageants before making her way to Hollywood. She started in the film industry as an extra and later secured minor roles in silent films. Her breakthrough came when she signed a contract with Hal Roach Studios, where she starred alongside comedy legends like Laurel and Hardy, Charley Chase, and Our Gang. In the late 1920s, Todd successfully transitioned into “talkies,” showcasing her ability to deliver comedic lines with charm and wit. Some of her notable films from this period include “Monkey Business” (1931), “The Maltese Falcon” (1931), and “Horse Feathers” (1932). Despite her success on the silver screen, Todd faced personal challenges and setbacks. She had a tumultuous love life, including relationships with prominent figures such as director Roland West and gangster Lucky Luciano. Her relationship with West, who was married at the time, was marred by rumors and scandals. Tragically, on December 16, 1935, Thelma Todd’s life was cut short under mysterious circumstances. Her body was found in her car, parked in the garage of her café, the Thelma Todd’s Sidewalk Café in Pacific Palisades, California. While the exact cause of her death remains uncertain, it was officially ruled as accidental carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty garage heater. However, some speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding her death have persisted over the years. This postcard was published as part of the “Picturegoer” series (no.413). SOLD

Published in: on October 30, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MALA POWERS : BEAUTIFUL ACTRESS : PICTUREGOER SERIES : REPUBLIC PICTURES : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features Mala Powers (1931-2007) is a retired American actress who appeared in films during the 1950s and 1960s. She is best known for her roles in the films “The Sniper” (1952), “The Big Circus” (1959), and “The Miracle” (1959). She began her career as a contract player for Columbia Pictures, appearing in supporting roles in several films before moving on to lead roles in B-movies. She retired from acting in the 1960s to focus on her family. Powers looks quite glamourous in this portrait postcard. She has an enchanting smile.
 This vintage postcard is part of the “Picturegoer” series (No. D 298). She posed for the postcard’s portrait while under contract with Republic Pictures. SOLD

Published in: on October 29, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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HILDA TREVELVAN : ENGLISH ACTRESS : J M BARRIE : PLAYED WENDY IN PETER PAN : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features English actress, Hilda Trevelyan (1877-1959). She was born in London. Her father was a farmer and her mother was French. She received her education at a convent and she made her debut on stage at the age of twelve. By the time she was sixteen years of age, she was touring in the musical comedy “A Gaiety Girl”. Early in her career she became associated with playwright J. M. Barrie. She appeared in many of his plays. She is most well known for creating the role of Wendy in Peter Pan. During her career, she played the part almost a thousand times. She also was successful as Oliver Twist in the play of the same name. The play was based on a Charles Dickens novel. In 1910, she married actor and writer, Sydney Blow. Trevelayan retired from the theater in 1939. Trevelayan also appeared in movies. IMDb gives her six movie credits between 1916 and 1939. This postcard was published by Birn Brothers. The firm was located in London, England. Miss Trevelyan’s portrait photo was taken by Hutchinson & Svendsen. This vintage postcard is in very good condition (see scans). 

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Published in: on October 26, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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DRINA VERCHESI : BRITISH BEAUTY & ACTRESS : ROTARY PHOTO : RISQUE : 1910’s

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

These vintage real photo postcards feature British beauty and actress, Drina Verchesi. Information about Verchesi is not readily available. A deeper dive into theater sources, will uncover some details of her life. It is safe to bet that she was not a major player on the British stage, but established enough to be featured on this postcard.

Postcard 1 is hand-painted and captures Miss Verchesi in a risque pose in a revealing dress. This card is certainly provocative for it’s era. The card was published by Rotary Photo (no.A526-1). The firm operated in London, England. (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 is hand-painted and captures Miss Verchesi holding flowers and flashing a wonderful smile. This card was published by Rotary Photo (no.S.1-3). The firm operated in London, England.  (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

Published in: on October 25, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CUBAN SUGAR MILL IN SANTIAGO DE CUBA (REBIRTH OF A NATION)

cuba factory Screen Shot 2019-09-14 at 12.53.57 PMThe building pictured on this vintage real photo postcard is a sugar mill located in Santiago de Cuba. Sugar was a major export of Cuba and it remains so today. In addition, Cuba exports coffee and tobacco. This postcard is part of a series commemorating the “Rebirth of a Nation”. It is number 41 in the series. The heading on the reverse of the postcard states “Republica de Cuba”. Cuba was a republic from 1902 to 1959. This postcard was published during the earlier years of the republic. The card is likely from circa 1910.  SOLD

Published in: on October 23, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY GRINNING FASHIONABLE YOUNG WOMAN : JACK RUSSELL TERRIER : RPPC 1910

This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty young woman, attractively dressed, posing at an unidentified studio for her portrait. She is accompanied by her very expressive dog. The dog appears to be a Jack Russell Terrier. The initials “HT” are printed on the bottom left hand corner of the image. “HT” is likely the publisher of the card. The postcard has a French stamp and was postmarked in 1910.  SOLD

Published in: on October 21, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MADGE HODGKINSON : PRETTY STAGE ACTRESS : RAPHAEL TUCK : UNCOMMON RPCC 1914

This rare vintage real photo postcard features stage actress, Madge Hodgkinson. There is not much information about her readily available. She sat for one photograph that can be found in the collection of England’s National Portrait Gallery. The photograph was taken by female celebrity photographer, Rita Martin. An article in Royal Magazine (1908) includes another photo to Hodgkinson by Rita Martin. The caption describes her as “a pretty Gibson Girl” and that “Gibson Girls are always delightful”. It is written that Hodgkinson was one of many actresses recently marrying for wealth and/or title. The writer whimsically asks “At this rate, how long will the supply hold out”. Hodgkinson’s groom was Paul Grisewood, “a stock exchange man”. Further research is needed to illuminate details of the pretty actress’s life. This postcard was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons as part of the “Celebrities of the Stage” series (1002). The postcard has a Canadian stamp and a 1914 postmark from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  SOLD

Published in: on October 20, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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