This vintage real photo postcard features a young girl occupied with her weaving. She is wearing traditional native clothing as well as traditional jewelry. This portrait postcard is from 1934. The photograph was taken in Quipungo, located in Cuanza Sul, Angola. The card is from a series aimed at exhibiting Colonial Portuguese Africa (no. 140 “The Indigenous People of Quipungo). The postcard was postmarked in 1934 in Torres Vedras, Portugal. The card is addressed to a doctor in that municipality. SOLD
This undivided back vintage postcard features a birds-eye view of a parade on South Main Street that took place in Ada, Ohio in 1907. On view are a group of patriotic American veterans marching down a major thoroughfare. It is very likely that some of the uniformed men in this parade are Civil War veterans and members of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). This postcard photo includes a US flag and a billboard advertisement for Kemp’s Wallpaper. This postcard was postmarked in 1907. The card has a commemorative stamp honoring Captain John Smith of Jamestown fame. SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard has a number of interesting features. The women are posed on a fabric covered bench. They are dressed in noteworthy attire. One is wearing a nautical type outfit while the other is dressed in a kimono styled pant suit, or possibly pajamas. I wish I knew the story of these two women. What was the nature of their relationship? Sisters? Lovers? Due to the passage of time, the story has to be whatever we imagine it to be. This photograph was taken by the Foto Rembrandt studio in Bucharest, Romania. Viewing the photographers ink stamp on the reverse of the postcard, leads me to believe that the photographer was A. Maza. The stamp box indicates that the postcard was published by K Ltd sometime between 1918 and 1936. At least one postcard collector has posited that K Ltd may actually be the maker of the paper that the postcard is printed on. SOLD
This rare vintage real photo postcard features two men sitting in an antique convertible car manufactured by the Colby Motor Company. The firm was located in Mason City, Iowa. The company attempted to introduce the concept of sport cars to the American public. They designed an interesting automobile but failed in their attempt to reach American buyers. The company produced their first car in 1911. Their cars sold between 1400 and 1800 dollars. They offered seven different body designs. The car had a powerful 40 horsepower engine on a lightweight chassis. The “semi racing model” was built for sport, speed, and even racing. Not surprisingly, the company quickly got involved with automobile racing, known then as road racing. They hired Indianapolis driver Billy Pierce and Colby cars won several races in his Colby “Red Devil” racing car. It wasn’t long before Pierce was killed in a racing accident while driving that car. Due to financial shenanigans, the company went out of business after just three years. It is speculated that they made about one thousand cars. Today, there is only one known Colby in existence. It can be found at the Kinney Pioneer Museum in Mason City. Note what looks like prize ribbons on the left side of the image in front of the passenger. These ribbons may represent awards won by the Colby car in regard to racing or design. SOLD
This rare vintage real photo postcard features pretty stage actress, Miss Ethel Hollingshead. Note her fur stole. The animals is whole, face and all. I believe the creature is a mink. Certainly, this garment is not politically correct in today’s world. Not much information about Miss Hollingshead is readily available. The IBDb reveals that she acted in two Broadway plays; “A Message From Mars” (1901) and “Saucy Sally” (1904). She also appeared in “The Boatswain’s Mate” (1907) at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre. A deeper dive into the theater literature is required to learn more about Miss Hollingshead. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.1830A). SOLD
This very uncommon vintage real photo postcard features the pretty young actress and singer, Miss Daphne Hope. She is dressed and posed provocatively for this postcard portrait. Her legs are exposed and she is wearing a short top. Even though Daphne’s legs are covered with flesh colored stockings, this is a risque postcard for it’s era.. Daphne Hope postcards are rare. It is also difficult to find information about her. The website “Footlight Notes” reprinted a 1912 article about Daphne Hope and her performing partner, William Burr. The pair were English music hall entertainers that took their show on the road to New York’s Fifth Avenue Theater. The article states that their talking act and “double singing” was simply “delightful” and “unique”. Hope is described as a “comely blonde, of the robust type, with a very pleasant voice”. The reviewer enjoyed the humorous banter between Hope and Burr. The article described their act as a “sunbeam” compared to the “shadows” vaudeville has imported in the past. SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard features stage actress Annie Hughes (1869-1954). The actress poses in this photograph with her child and her Jack Russell Terrier. Miss Hughes was born in England. As a child actress she was associated with the role of “Little Lord Fauntleroy”. The actress was married three times. She was in the title role of “Miss Tommy”, first produced at the Gaiety Theatre in 1907. In 1912 she took the production on a tour of the United States. This postcard was published by Philco and was part of a series (No. 3075 B). Philco was located in London. The postcard has a postmark indicating that it was mailed in1905. The photographer of this image was the Lafayette studio. The firm was founded in Dublin in 1880 by James Stack Lauder. His father, Edmund Lauder was a pioneering and successful photographer. The elder Lauder used the name “Lafayette’ to give the company a touch of Paris, which was a a city considered the center of the art and photography world. James was joined in business by his three photographer brothers. By the 1900, the company had studios in Glasgow, Manchester, London and Belfast. The studio also was invited to photograph Queen Victoria. The company still exists today. SOLD
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
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)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 