MURIEL FOSTER : ENGLISH OPERA SINGER : PORTRAIT BY ERNEST WALTER HISTED

This vintage real photo postcard features English contralto, Muriel Foster (1877-1937). Foster and her twin sister, Hilda, were trained at the Royal College of Music in London. In 1896, he made her debut in the production of “King Saul”. In 1899, the sisters performed in a series of duets. In 1900, Hilda retired after getting married. Muriel, who had the command of several languages, continued her singing and had a very successful international opera career. Muriel was photographed for this portrait by Ernest Walter Histed (1862-1947). Histed was born in England but achieved his success as a photographer in Chicago, and later, in Pittsburgh. He then returned to England and opened a photography studio there. His subjects there included Clara Butt (Opera Star) Pope Pius X, and the Empress of Germany. Histed returned to the US and opened a studio on Fifth Avenue in New York City. He later moved to Palm Beach, Florida and continued his profession until 1934. The Museum of the City of New York has a large collection of his work. The National Portrait Gallery (England) has 32 of his photographs in their collection. This postcard was published by London’s J. Beagles & Co. as part of a series (No. G386).The company was started by John Beagles (1844-1909). The company produced a variety of postcards including an extensive catalog of celebrity (stage and screen) portrait postcards. After Beagle’s death, the business continued as J. Beagles & Co. until it closed in 1939. SOLD

PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN IN SHEER NEGLIGEE : PHOTOGRAPH BY J. MANDEL

This risque photograph was taken by Julian Mandel (1872-1935). He was one of the most famous photographers of female nudes during the early twentieth century. He worked in Paris, France and his photographs became well known in the 1910’s through the 1930’s. This photograph appears on a vintage real photo postcard. The pretty model is wearing a gauzy negligee and is giving a flirtatious look. This original risque photo postcard was published by Alfred Noyer as part of a series (no.275). SOLD

DOROTHY RUSSELL : ACTRESS : WILD CHILD OF LILLIAN RUSSELL

This vintage real photo postcard features actress Dorothy Russell (1883-1954). She was the notorious daughter of the ultimate diva, Lillian Russell (1860-1922). Dorothy was in three Broadway plays between 1904 and 1907. Dorothy’s trademark  was her penchant for sensational hijinks, divorces, and legal fights. Dorothy was married seven times. In one civil suit, she was forced to surrender jewelry given to her mother by “Diamond Jim” Brady. The court insisted that she use the proceeds from the jewelry to pay off personal debts. A stamp on the reverse of the postcard indicates that this card was once the property of Robert S. Simmons. This postcard was published by the Rotograph Company (New York City). It is part of the Rotograph Series (No. B 624), The photographer of this image is William Mckenzie Morrison whose studio was located in the Haymarket  Theatre building in Chicago, Illinois. Morrison was a well known and successful  celebrity photographer.  (SOLD)

FIVE HAPPY WOMEN AND TWO HAPPY MEN RIDING BICYCLES (1939)

This vintage real photo postcard features five women and two men riding bicycles on an unidentified street. Judging by their smiles, they are all having fun. The riders are dressed for warm weather. Are these bicylists tourists? The caption on this postcard states “From Corso”. My assumption is that the photo was taken by the Corso studio. The location of that studio and the locale where this photo was taken, is unknown. An inscription on the reverse of the postcard indicates that the photograph was taken in 1939. SOLD

Published in: on May 20, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ADORABLE PHOTOGENIC YOUNG GIRL (1910)

This vintage real photo postcard features an adorable photogenic young girl. She is wearing two pink bows in her hair and a sweet smile. This postcard was published by SIP  (Societe Industrielle de Photograpie) of Rueil, France and was part of a series (no. 2008). This vintage portrait postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3541

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$25.50

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$34.50

Published in: on May 19, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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RICHTER’S SALOON AND GROCERY : SOCIAL HISTORY : THE RUDER BREWERY : BEER

This vintage real photo postcard serves as a wonderful illustration of social history. For a reason unknown to us, the community gathered in front of Richter’s Saloon & Grocery for this photo. The whole town is represented. There are babies, children, and young and older adults. If you look carefully, you will see that there was a lot of activity occurring when this photograph was taken. First, there are a several musicians in the group. Some are playing their instruments while others are displaying them. There are a number of men in the back row drinking out of bottles. Why are they congregated in the back row? It is likely a safe assumption that they are drinking beer or some other form of alcohol. Included in the photo is an oppositional defiant little girl. She is in the first row and is the only child or adult facing the “wrong” way. I’m kidding about the “oppositional defiant disorder” diagnosis. The townspeople in this photograph are wearing an interesting assortment of hats. There is a sign advertising a brewery attached to the front of the building. The advertising is for Ruder Beer. The George Ruder Brewing Company was founded in 1892 and operated until 1920. The company was located in Wausau, Wisconsin. By now, you have probably been wondering where Richter’s Saloon & Grocery was located. I am wondering too. I found two possible locations, but there may be more. An Indianapolis, Indiana city directory lists one of the cities businesses as being William Richter & Son Grocery and Saloon. I can not determine the year of the directory. The second possibility concerning the location of Richter’s Saloon & Grocery is more remote. In 1911, there was a Emilie Richter running a saloon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This is the same year that the photograph was taken. I have been unable to learn the name of the saloon. The fact that Milwaukee and Wausau (home of Ruder Beer) are in Wisconsin, may be significant. The Kruxo stamp box on the reverse of this postcard, dates the card to sometime between 1908 and 1920. This supports the 1911 date printed on the front of this postcard. SOLD

LE DE-THAM : VIETNAMESE FEUDAL LORD AND INSURRECTIONIST VERSUS THE FRENCH

This vintage postcard features  a portrait of Vietnamese feudal lord, Le De-Tham (1858-1913). His actual name was Hoang Hoa Tham and he was also known as Commander Tham. He was the leader of the “Yen The” insurrection, a 25 year long popular revolt in the “Yen The” district of Vietnam. The insurrectionists were resisting French colonial rule. Interestingly, his parents were also resistance fighters. They both died as members of a resistance group fighting against the Court of Hue. Most of Le De-Tham’s resistance forces were routed by French troops as they swept through the province in 1890-1891. The French troops suffered a significant setback when De Tham attacked the area’s railroad. The French agreed to a peace plan and that gave De-Tham a regional fiefdom. He became a symbol for other anti-French movements. De-Tham was killed in 1913 by one of his own men.

MISS OLGA CHARNA: PRETTY STAGE ACTRESS (1910)

This vintage real photo postcard features stage actress Olga Charna. She was a Russian soprano. The photo of Miss Charna was taken by the celebrated firm of the Dover Street Studios. The postcard was published by G. W. Saxby; located in Margate, England. The postcard has a postmark from Margate that is dated 1910. SOLD

GEORGE ALEXANDER : ENGLISH STAGE ACTOR, MANAGER, AND PRODUCER (RPPC 1907)

This real photo postcard features George Alexander, an English stage actor, theatre producer, and theatre manager. He began his professional acting career in 1879. He became interested in theatre management and in 1890, he leased a London theatre and began producing plays. In 1891, he moved to the St. James’s Theatre where he spent the rest of his career, acting and producing. Three of his most successful plays were Oscar Wilde’s ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan” (1892), “The Second Mrs Tanqueray” (1893), and Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest (1895). Alexander was born in Reading, Berkshire, England. His father was a travelling salesman. George was educated in private schools. He left school at the age of fifteen in order to pursue amateur acting. Upon becoming a professional actor, he joined a repertory company. That was followed by a stint in a touring company. He received positive reviews and his status as an actor rose. In 1882, George married Florence Jane Theleur (1857-1946). She shared his interest and involvement in the theatre and both also had strong engagement in public affairs. During the 1880’s, Alexander expanded his acting experience. His work for actor/manager, Henry Irving, provided him with an excellent theatrical education. During his time with Irving, George toured in the United States on two occasions. George served on the London County Council from 1907 to 1913. George was also a benefactor and a participant in many organizatIions that benefitted actors and the theatre. He also worked for charities like the Red Cross and the League of Mercy. In 1911, Alexander was knighted. He died from tuberculosis and diabetes in 1918. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no. 4225 D). The portrait photo was taken by the celebrated studio of Ellis & Walery. The postmark on this card was stamped in 1907. This postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3527

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$18.33

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PRETTY YOUNG GIRL HOLDING A BUNCH OF FLOWERS

This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty young girl holding a bunch of long stemmed flowers. She is dressed in white; white bow, white dress, and white shoes. She has an ethnic appearance. She may be from the Mediterranean region, or perhaps Central or South America. This postcard’s Artura stamp box indicates that it was published sometime between 1908 and 1924. SOLD

Published in: on May 9, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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