Mady Christians (1892-1951) was an Austrian-American actress. She appeared in many films and stage productions, both in Europe and the United States. This photograph captures Christians and two dogs in a scene from the silent film “Zoph und Schwert (Braid and Sword)” (1926). Some of her most notable performances include roles in the films “The Great Dictator” (1940) and “The Shop Around the Corner” (1940). She was also a successful stage actress and appeared in several Broadway productions. Christians was forced to flee Nazi Germany in the 1930s and emigrated to the United States where she continued her acting career. She was an active performer between 1916 and 1951. She was born in Vienna. Her father was a well known German actor. The family moved to Berlin and in 1912 they moved to New York City where her father became the general manager of the Irving Place Theater. In 1917, she returned to Europe to study acting under Max Reinhardt. Before the early 1930’s she appeared in several European films. In 1929, she starred in the first full sound film made in Germany. After touring the United States in a play, she was offered a Broadway contract. While appearing in Broadway she became part of a small and influential group of lesbian theater producers, directors, and actors. Christians became involved in political issues. She worked to help refugees, to gain rights for workers, supported Russian War relief, and was involved in other political issues. Her political work brought her to the attention of the FBI and other anti Communist groups, notably the House Committee on Un-American Activities. The FBI investigated Christians when an informant identified her as a “concealed communist”. The investigation virtually ended her performing career. She passed away in 1951 This card was published by Ross Verlag. The firm operated in Berlin, Germany. Note the mention of the German film company Aafa Film-Regie and the film’s director, Victor Janson in the lower right corner of the image. SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard features a bejeweled pretty woman posing for her portrait at a photo studio in Southsea, England. My hypotheses is that the studio is called London Portraits based on the ink stamp seen on the reverse of the postcard. It is unknown whether the attractive subject seen in this photograph is a resident of Southsea or perhaps a visitor to this seaside resort which was established in the 18th century. The area is located in Portsmouth at the southern end of Portsea Island, Hampshire. SOLD
This uncommon vintage real photo postcard (Postcard 1) features silent film icon, Clara Bow (1905-1965 ). She successfully made the transition to talkies in 1929. Bow appeared in 46 silent movies and 11 talkies. She was known as the “It Girl” during the golden age of Hollywood. She was known for her vivacious energy, mesmerizing on-screen presence, and her impressive talent. She was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in the borough’s tenements. Both of her parents had mental health issues and she grew up in an unstable and chaotic environment. She was a resilient and determined child and she took on a caretaker role for her younger siblings. She was responsible and mature beyond her years. Despite her humble background, she became a very influential figure in cinema history. Her rise from poverty to stardom, and her groundbreaking portrayals of independent and liberated women, helped her gain an enduring legend of the silver screen. Clara Bow was discovered in 1922 when she participated in a magazine contest searching for new talent. Her photographs were seen by film producer B. P. Schulberg who saw her potential and offered her a screen test. Her screen presence was impressive and she signed a contract with Paramount Pictures. In her earliest films, her versatility was was obvious as she transitioned effortlessly between dramatic and comedic roles. It was the 1927 film, “It” that made Clara Bow a superstar and earned her the nickname of “The It Girl”. She was viewed as modern, charismatic, and sexually liberated. Bow was also successful in “talkie” films, despite her Brooklyn accent. While Bow was successful professionally, her personal life was a “hot mess”. She had a long term troubled marriage to actor Rex Bell (m.1931) and she battled her own mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. In 1933, Bow retired from acting and became a rancher. This vintage real photo postcard was published by Ross Verlag (Germany) as part of a series (No.3394/1). Bow is wearing a grass skirt, a Hawaiian Lei, and holding a ukulele. She is showing her bare legs. The card is risque for it’s era. The logo for Paramount Pictures can be found in the images bottom right hand corner. SOLD
Postcard 2 was published by Ross Verlag (Germany) as part of a series (No.4480/1). Bow is wearing a short skirt. She is showing her bare legs. The card is risque for it’s era. The logo for Paramount Pictures can be found in the images bottom right hand corner. SOLD
Postcard 1 features Julia James (1890-19F64), a beautiful stage actress. She appears in costume from the show “The Joy Ride Lady”. The play appeared in a London’ West End theater in about 1914. She sat in 76 portraits that are part of England’s National Portrait Gallery. She is considered by one theatrical writer to be among the top fifteen most beautiful actresses of the 1900’s Edwardian era. She was born in London, England and began her career as a chorus girl at the Aldwych Theatre under Seymour Hicks. She played in “Blue Belle” in 1905. She appeared in productions at the Gaiety Theatre. These plays included “The Girls of Gottenburg”, “Havana”, and “Our Miss Gibbs”. She performed in Paris in “The Arcadians” (1913). This Rotary Photo postcard was printed in Great Britain. The postcard is part of a series (no.6928F). The photographers of this image are from the Foulsham and Barfield studio. (SOLD)
Postcard 2 was published by Beagles and was printed in Great Britain. The postcard is part of a series (no.340N). The photographer of this image is esteemed celebrity photographer, Rita Martin. (SOLD)
Postcard 3 was published by Beagles and printed in Great Britain. The card has a 1917 postmark. The postcard is part of a series (no.340S). The photographer of this image is esteemed celebrity photographer, Rita Martin. (SOLD)
Postcard 4 was printed in Great Britain by Rotary Photo. The card has a 1909 postmark, revealing that Miss James was about 19 years of age when this photo was taken. The postcard is part of a series (no.1984C). The photographer of this image is the Foulsham & Banfield studio. (SOLD)
Postcard 5 This vintage real photo postcard features Julia James wearing a long strand of pearls and a pretty dress. Her dress is low cut for her era, making this postcard risque. She was likely a teenager, or in her twenties, when this photograph was taken. This postcard was published by J. Beagles & Co. and printed in Great Britain. The postcard is part of a series (no.340P). The card was distributed by K. V. M. Sultan & Co. which was located in Singapore. The photographer of this image was female. Women photographers were not very common at the time this postcard was published. The photographer of this postcard photo was Rita Martin. She was a talented and well known celebrity photographer. (SOLD)
Postcard 6 features Miss James in a scene from “Sleeping Beauty”. This “Philco” postcard was printed in London, England. The postcard is part of a series (no. 3298C). The photographer of this image is the fabulous celebrity photographer, Rita Martin. She is considered one of the best British photographers of her time. Her studio was in an exclusive neighborhood She was born Margareta Weir Martin in Ireland. Margareta “Rita” Martin started her career in photography in 1897 by assisting her elder sister Lallie Charles in running her studio. In 1906 Rita opened her own studio. Rita had a specialty in photographing actresses including Lily Elsie and Lily Brayton. She was also well known for her child studies which often involved children of well known actresses. Rita’s sister, Lallie Charles was more known as an excellent society photographer. (SOLD)
Postcard 7 is beautifully color tinted image of Julia James. Note her long strand of pearls and her pretty dress. Her dress is low cut for her era, making this postcard risque. She was likely a teenager, or in her twenties, when this photograph was taken. This postcard was published by Philco and printed in Great Britain. The postcard is part of a series (no.3124A). (SOLD)
Postcard 8 has a message that provides the recipient with birthday greetings. This Rotary Photo postcard was printed in Great Britain. The card has a 1907 postmark, revealing that Miss James was about 17 years of age when this photo was taken. The postcard is part of a series (no.1984A). The photographer of this image is Alexander Bassano. Bassano (1829 –1913) was a leading royal and high society photographer in Victorian London. (SOLD)
Postcard 9 captures James eating an apple. She is flashing a fine smile. This postcard was was published by the Rival Photographic Series and was printed in Great Britain. The postcard is part of a series (no.R P 1073). The photographer of this image was the talented and famous, Rita Martin. She was considered one of the best British photographers of her time. She opened her studio in 1906. (SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features seven young women who appear to be having fun as they pose for their portrait as they sit in a faux automobile at an unidentified photo studio. These women are likely a group of friends. They are very fashionable and glamourous. It is curious that six of the seven women are wearing hats while the seventh appears to either be a non conformist, or left hers at home. Take note of the only woman that is wearing a white outfit. She has a wonderful playful “cat ate the canary” expression. A close-up photo of the vivacious young lady has been provided. SOLD
This German vintage risque real photo postcard features a pretty buxom young woman wearing a feathered purple hat. This photograph is meant to titillate. The woman is voluptuous. This photographic portrait was published by NPG (Germany) as part of a series (No.749/6). This postcard’s photograph has been hand tinted. SOLD
This vintage postcard features a birds eye view of Manhasset Hollow. The photo was taken from a Railroad Bridge. The town of Manhasset is a bedroom community of New York City. The town is located on Long Island. Unlike the photograph seen on this postcard, Manhasset, today, is a very well developed suburban community. Though it is unconfirmed, it is my belief that the railway bridge mentioned on this postcard is the “Manhasset Viaduct”. The Port Washington Branch of the Long Island Rail Road utilizes this bridge. The bridge was completed in 1898. The span crosses over Manhasset Bay. The bridge has an average height of 81 feet above the water and measures is 679 feet long. In 1913, the tracks were electrified. The Carnegie Steel Company was one of the builders of this bridge. This postcard was published by Hyde & Hults. The firm was located in Port Washington, Long Island, New York. This card was postmarked in the town of Roslyn, Long Island, in 1909. SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard features two handsome uniformed sailor in an affectionate pose. This is a studio photograph and is likely one-of-a-kind.(SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features a studio portrait of a pretty young woman wearing an adorable hat. The woman’s name is embossed above her image on the card. Her name was “Mabele Fishwick”. The 1900 US census reveals that Mabele was 15 years-old, born in 1884, and lived with her parents and 13 year-old brother in Cincinnati. In 1908 she married Clarence H. Hinsdale. The couple’s marriage ended in divorce. She married again in 1922 to Hewett Griggs Robertson. During World War I, Mabele worked with the Red Cross and then went to Washington DC to work for the government (Civilian Personel Army Ordnance”. During that time, Mabele was on a flight from Washington DC to Dayton, Ohio. Due to gale force winds, the plane, carrying nine passengers, had to make an emergency landing in a farmer’s field. In an interview with a reporter, Mabele said that pilots needed to be more careful where they choose to land. She explained that the Pennsylvania farmer who owned the field, charged the pilot $250.00 for “parking priviliges” and charged each occupant of the plane 50 cents for walking across his property. Mabele’s portrait was taken by Rensler’s studio, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The advertising on the reverse of the postcard indicates that the studio had more than one location in Cincinnati as well as a location in Cleveland, Ohio. According to one historical Cincinnati blog, Rensler’s was one of the few photo studios in Cincinnati that accepted African American clients. The studio operated for 83 years and shut down in 1989. I have seen a number of photographs by this studio and many are excellent. The AZO stamp box on this card indicates that the postcard dates back to between 1918 and 1930. (SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features French opera singer, Suzanne Balguerie (1888-1973). She is considered one of the best sopranos performing between the two World Wars. She studied singing at the Conservatoire de Paris. Her debut was at the Opera-Comique in 1921. She received rave reviews. She made a career at the Opera-Comique. When the Nazis occupied France during World War II, there was little opportunity for her to work and she became impoverished. She retired in 1950 and in 1953 she became a professor at the Conservatories in Grenoble and Geneva. For an unknown reason, she did not pursue an international opera career. Mlle Balquerie’s photo portrait seen on this postcard was taken by esteemed photographer, Henri Manuel. The card was published by Alfred Noyer (Paris, France). (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 