HIGH VIEW HOTEL : CHESAPEAKE BEACH, MARYLAND : MULTIPLE GUESTS POSING : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features the High View Hotel, located in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. The wooden hotel has three porches, two elevated. Guests are posing for the photo at all three levels. Chesapeake Beach is and was a resort community. It golden days were in the early 1900’s. Steamer ships from Baltimore and trains from Washington D.C. would fill the town with tourists on the weekends. There was a lot to do in the town including swimming, strolling a long boardwalk with amusements, bowling, theater, music, dancing, drinking and gambling. This postcard was published by William H. Tutty (Chesapeake Beach).  SOLD

Published in: on November 26, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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LILIAN HALL-DAVIS : BRITISH SILENT FILM ACTRESS : DIED BY SUICIDE AT 35 : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features British silent film actress, Lilian Hall-Davis (1898-1933). She had much success in silent films but struggled with the transition from silent to sound films. This frustration and disappointment likely led to her experiencing mental health problems and eventually to her suicide at the age of 35.  She was one of Britain’s leading actresses in the 1920’s, appearing in numerous films that showcased her charm, talent and on-screen presence. She worked with some of the most respected directors of her time and was a recognized talented actress in both British and International films. She starred in both romantic and dramatic roles. She is best remembered for her performances in two of Alfred Hitchcock’s films, “The Ring” (1927) and “The Farmer’s Wife” (1928). Other notable performances were in “The Passionate Adventure” (1924), “The Ghost Train” (1927), and “The Guns of Loos” (1928). Her popularity is reflected by the number of collectible postcards (such as this one) and photographs that were published during her era. This postcard shows Miss Hall-Davis with short wavy styled dark hair. understated make-up and large expressive eyes. Her gaze is slightly off-camera, conveying a reflective, almost wistful mood. She is wearing an elegant sleeveless dress adorned with embellishments along the shoulder strap. A delicate pearl necklace adds to her refined and classic look. The photographer of Miss Hall-Davis’s portrait was Schneider, a Berlin based photographer, The postcard was published by Ross Verlag (Berlin). Ernst Schneider was one of the most celebrated studio photographers in Berlin during three decades (1900’s, 1910’s, 1920’s). He photographed many celebrities from the world of theater, opera, circuses, and film. He was also one of the most prominent fashion photographers in Berlin. In addition, he was well known for his nude photography and he published books showcasing his work in this domain. Sometime around 1908 Schneider began working with postcard publishers “Rotophot” and “Neue Photographische Gesellschaft” (NPG). In 1919 he began working with Ross Verlag.  SOLD

Published in: on November 25, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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BRIGITTE HELM : TAKES A PHOTO : CAMERA ON TRIPOD : PHOTOGRAPHER : ACTRESS : RPPC

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

Postcard 1 features German actress, Brigitte Helm (1908-1996). The postcard captures Miss Helm taking a photograph with a camera on a tripod. Photographs of photographers in action are quite collectible. Now, back to Brigitte Helm. She is best known for her dual role in Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent film, Metropolis. After “Metropolis” she played in a long string of movies where she typically had the starring role. Helm was typecast as a Vamp or a femme fatale. She was born in Berlin. Her father was a Prussian Army officer. She was interested in acting at an early age and by age 12, was taking lead parts in school plays. At the age of 17, she acted in “Metropolis”. In 1925 she signed a ten year contract with UFA. She performed in both silent films and talkies. Beside “Metopolis” (1927), Helm was best known for “A Daughter of Destiny” (1928), “L’Argent” (1928), and “Alraune” (1929). Helm had an eventful personal life. Helm was involved in several traffic accidents. In fact, she was briefly placed in prison for manslaughter charges. She married industrialist, Dr Hugo Kunheim. The Nazis were not very pleased with her choice in men because Kunheim was Jewish. In 1935, Helm retired and moved with her husband to Switzerland where they started a family. Helm explained her retirement was because of disgust about the Nazi’s taking over the German film industry. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.8486/1). The card has the UFA logo which reveals it was published between 1925 and 1935. (SOLD)

Postcard 2 captures Miss Helm in a beautiful dress that illustrates her nice figure. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.8486/1). The card has the UFA logo which reveals it was published between 1925 and 1935.  (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

Published in: on November 24, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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NEW YORK MILITARY ACADEMY : CORNWALL ON HUDSON, NY : DONALD TRUMP ALMA MATER

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

These vintage postcards feature the New York Military Academy (NYMA). Donald Trump is the most famous  alumni of the school though many other “big names” are alumni. Trump was there for five years starting the fall of 1959. It is reported widely that his father sent him there while he was in the seventh grade because he needed a more disciplined and focused setting than the Queens, N.Y. private school he was then attending. NYMA was a college preparatory school located in the rural town of Cornwall, New York (60 miles north of New York City). The school  was one of the oldest military schools in the United States. In 2015, the school filed for bankruptcy protection. It was later bought by a Chinese owned foundation.

Postcard 1 is from circa 1909. It was published by the Hugh C. Leighton Company of Portland, Maine. The firm predominately published postcards of New England. They printed some cards in Maine but most, like this one, were manufactured in Frankfurt, Germany. In 1909, the firm merged with Valentine and Sons. (SOLD)

Postcard 2 is an undivided back postcard is from circa 1906. It was published by Barton & Spooner (Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York).  (SOLD)

Postcard 2

Published in: on November 21, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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FEODORA : PRETTY PERFORMER : RISQUE : RPPC : 1907

This vintage real photo postcard features pretty performer, Feodora. This postcard is a bit risque for it’s era. She is showing a lot of bare skin. Feodora is wearing pearls, a hairbow, and a fur hat. The initals of the photographer (M.F.) appear in the lower right hand corner. The photographer’s studio was in Paris. The message on the reverse of the postcard indicate that it was written in 1907. SOLD

Published in: on November 16, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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WEST BEND ALUMINUM COMPANY : WEST BEND, WISCONSIN : VINTAGE POSTCARD : RPPC

This vintage photo postcard features the West Bend Aluminum Company, located in West Bend, Wisconsin. In the closeup photo, note the old cars and the workers on property. Most of us associate Wisconsin with cheese, not aluminum cookware. However, in 1920, the state had 50% of the nation’s aluminum cookware market share. Bernhard C. Ziegler (1884-1946) started the company in 1911. The company’s first products were saucepans, a frying pan, and pie pans. Sears accounted for 90% of the company’s sales. In 1921, the company introduced a crockpot, one of their most successful products. In 1922, the company introduced a drip coffeemaker which didn’t require filter paper. During World War II the company transitioned to supplying war materials. The company was purchased by Rexall Drug and Chemical Company in 1968. The company was dissolved in 2002.  SOLD

Published in: on November 15, 2025 at 11:34 pm  Leave a Comment  
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LA BELLE ALEXIA : ACTRESS & DANCER : RISQUE : MAURICE MANES : PARIS : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features pretty performer, La Belle Alexia. She was a dancer and was also likely an actress. Preliminary research found no biographical information. This photograph of Alexia is risque due to her low cut dress. She is wearing a lot of jewelry around her neck. Alexia is flashing a lovely smile. This postcard was published by EPJ (Maurice P Manes, Paris) as part of a series (no.579).  SOLD

Published in: on November 7, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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DO DO WATTS : BRITISH STAGE AND FILM ACTRESS : CAREER WOMAN

This vintage real photo postcard features British stage and film actress, Dodo Watts (1910-1990), She had one appearance on Broadway in “The Middle Watch” (1929).When she retired from acting, she became a career woman. She owned a successful millinery firm in London. She also worked as a casting director for three films. She cast Diana Rigg in her role in “The Avegers” television series. Watts also worked as a theatrical agent. The IMDb credits her with19 film credits between 1925 and 1953. This card was published by Picturegoer as part of a series (no.537). The photograph seen on this card was taken by George Mannell. His firm was located in London, England. SOLD

Published in: on November 3, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CARNIVAL GOERS : COSTUMED GROUP : CHILD IN TOP HAT : VINTAGE FRENCH RPPC

This striking real photo postcard captures a costumed group of three women and one child, posed in a studio setting. The scene has a theatrical, almost carnivalesque quality. Standing proudly atop a small round table, the young child wears a bold striped clown suit with a wide ruffled collar. A tall top hat, much too large for their small stature, dominates the composition and draws the viewer’s attention. The child’s calm, self-possessed gaze truly upstages the surrounding adults. Two women wear exotic turbans adorned with feathers and strings of beads, evoking an “Orientalist” fantasy style popular in the early 20th century. One woman (seated) wears a ribboned dress and jeweled headband, giving her a regal presence. Despite their elaborate costumes and serious expressions, they are visually overshadowed by the whimsical, confident child. The atmospheric painted studio backdrop suggests a cloudy sky, enhancing the theatrical tone of the composition. On the reverse, the postcard is printed with the words “Fabriqué en Angleterre” (Made in England). Along the left edge appear addresses of French distributors. A small star is in the center of the stamp box. The card is unused and unposted. This unusual postcard reflects the playful spirit of costume photography.  (SOLD)

Published in: on November 2, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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WWI SOLDIERS : PATRIOTIC : U.S. FLAG BACKDROP : RPPC 1904-1918

This original real photo postcard captures two World War I-era American soldiers posed proudly in front of a large U.S. flag backdrop. Both men wear their service uniforms complete with campaign hats, buttoned shirts, and breeches tucked into puttees or leggings. The soldier on the left is seated with legs crossed, hands resting naturally, and gazes directly at the camera. The standing soldier rests his hand casually on his comrade’s shoulder, creating a sense of camaraderie. The flag’s stars and stripes fill the background, adding a strong patriotic tone to the image. The reverse of this postcard has an AZO stamp box indicating that it dates back to between 1904 and 1918.  The card’s style and subject matter suggest that the postcard likely dates to the World War I period (circa 1917–1919).  SOLD

Published in: on November 1, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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