CLARA BOW : AMERICAN SILENT FILM ACTRESS : “THE IT GIRL” : RISQUE 

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (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

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Published in: on May 7, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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BUXOM PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN : PURPLE FEATHERED HAT : HAND TINTED : NPG : RPPC

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

Published in: on May 4, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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BLACK FEMALE DANCER IN COSTUME : STUDIO PORTRAIT : VINTAGE RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features a Black Woman in her dance costume. She is an unusual costume and she is lifting her skirt in a risque manner. The woman has a pretty smile.  SOLD

Published in: on April 12, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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PRETTY WOMAN SITS ON COUCH WEARING SHEER LINGERIE : RISQUE : PC PARIS : RPPC

This risque vintage real photo postcard captures a pretty young woman sitting on a couch. The woman is holding a small mirror in her right hand. She is wearing lingerie. Her sheer bra, exposed legs, stockings, garter, and “come hither” pose, all contribute to making this an erotic postcard. This postcard was produced by PC Paris as part of a series (No.1481). The P.C logo is an abbreviation for Papeteries d Levallois-Clichy. The firm published a variety of real photo postcard topics including portraits of pretty models, nudes, views, and holiday cards. The company was active in the 1920’s. SOLD

Published in: on March 16, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MAUD ALLAN : RISQUE : SALOME : DANCER, ACTRESS, AND CHOREOGRAPHER : 1908 : RPPC

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Postcard 4 (SOLD)

These risque vintage real photo postcards feature Maud Allan (1873-1956). She was a Canadian-born dancer, choreographer, and actress, who performed in the United States and Europe at the turn of the 20th century. She was known for her performances of the “Vision of Salome”, an interpretive dance based on the Oscar Wilde play “Salome”, in which she portrayed the title character. Allan’s performances were controversial and often drew criticism for their erotic content. She also was known for her court case in 1918 against a British newspaper, the Illustrated Times, who published an article accusing her of promoting immorality and lesbianism. She sued for libel and won. In regard to Allan’s sexual orientation, she was a lesbian and was involved with women her entire life. She had a long affair with Margot Asquith, the wife of Herbert Henry Asquith, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 through 1916. Allan also had a long affair with Verna Aldrich, her secretary.

 Postcard 1 presents Allan dancing as “Salome”. She is wearing a sexually provocative costume. She is covered with jewelry. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.4946B). Miss Allan’s photograph was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio. An inscription on the card’s reverse reveals that the card is from 1908. (SOLD)

Postcard 2 This postcard also presents Allan dancing as “Salome”. Once again, she is wearing a sexually provocative costume and is covered with jewelry. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.4946Q). Miss Allan’s photograph was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio. This card is from circa 1908. (SOLD)

Postcard 3 is rare. The card captures Miss Allan wearing a sexually provocative costume. She is covered with jewelry. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.11406B). Miss Allan’s photograph was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio. This card is from circa 1908. (SOLD)

Postcard 4 is a risque vintage postcard that was published by Aristophot. Allan’s photograph was taken by Leopold Reutlinger as part of a series (no.E1586). This Salome postcard has a 1908 postmark. (SOLD)

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Published in: on March 14, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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VERENA : EARLY PERFORMER AT FOLIES BERGERE : BELLE EPOQUE : REUTLINGER : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features Verena, an enchanting and seductive performer captured by the lens of renowned photographer, Leopold Reutlinger. She has long dark cascading hair and she exudes an aura of mystery. Adorned with a feather boa, she reveals a bare shoulder, adding sensuality to this portrait. Verena was one of the early performers at the Folies Bergere. This postcard is part of a series (no.0450). SOLD

Published in: on March 7, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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GABY DESLYS: BEAUTIFUL AND TALENTED ACTRESS, DANCER AND SINGER

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POSTCARD 8 (SOLD)

Vintage real photo Postcard 1 features a portrait of the multi talented actress, dancer, and singer, Gaby Deslys (1881-1920). Miss Deslys performed at the beginning of the twentieth century in both Europe and the United States. She was extremely popular worldwide. In fact, she was able to earn four thousand dollars a week when performing in the United States. She performed several times on Broadway. She had a dance named after her, “The Gaby Glide” (1911). You can find the sheet music, with Gaby on the cover, elsewhere on ebay. Her love life was the topic of much public gossip. She probably added to the sensationalism surrounding her by posing in a number of risque postcards. She was courted by many wealthy and powerful men, including the King of Portugal. Her life was cut short by the “Spanish” influenza. Postcard 1 is not at all common. It was published by E. A. Schwerdtfeger Company of London and printed in Berlin (no. 0291/1). The company also had an office in New York (opened in 1910). This publishing house printed many different types of real photo postcards but was known for its hand-colored real photo postcards of actresses and fashionable women in exotic costumes. The photographer was the Talbot studio. The creator of Miss Deslys’s hat is also credited (Lewis). This particular real photo postcard stands out because it offers a colorized and very clear view of this beautiful and talented performer.  SOLD

Postcard 2 was photographed by Edouard Stebbing. He was active in Paris between 1890 and 1910. Stebbing taught at a University in Paris and invented the stebbing camera, and was known for his work with emulsions. It is reported that he was friends with the artist Monet. He died in 1914 and his wife (Celestine) died five years earlier. Stebbing was a prolific photographer during the Belle Epoque Paris. He appears to have been an expatriate from England. He published many articles in British Photographic journals. Stebbing photographed many theatrical stars. A frequent publisher of these postcards was Monsieur G.Piprot, of “Etoille” or “Star” publishing in Paris. The “Photographic Times and American Photographer” (1883) cited Stebbing as “one of the bright lights of the French Photographic Society. The card has a 1908 postmark.  SOLD

Postcard 3 is not common. It was published by Rotary Photo of Great Britain as part of a series (no.11843 A). This postcard portrait was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio. Gaby Deslys was certainly a beautiful and talented performer.  SOLD

Postcard 4 was published by Rapid Photo of Great Britain as part of a series (no.4245). The company was active between 1901 and 1910. The firm specialized in taking theatrical portraits and was located in London. This postcard portrait was taken by the Bassano studio.  SOLD

Postcard 5 was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons of Great Britain as part of the Celebrities of the Stage series (no.T745). The company produced a variety of postcards including an extensive catalog of celebrity (stage and screen) portrait postcards. The firm began publishing this Deslys postcard in 1903. Miss Deslys was photographed by Dover Street Studio for the portrait seen on this postcard.  (SOLD)

Postcard 6 was published by J. Beagles of Great Britain as part of a series (no.70H). This real photo postcard is uncommon. This risque vintage real photo postcard features Deslys wearing a provocative costume for her time. She is flashing an infectious smile. Note her corset assisted wasp thin waist.

Postcard 7 was published by Societe Industrielle de Photograpie (SIP) of Rueil, France, and is part of a series (no.1537).The photographer was Edouard Stebbing who was active in Paris between 1890 and 1910. Stebbing taught at a University in Paris and invented the stebbing camera, and was known for his work with emulsions. It is reported that he was friends with the artist Monet. He died in 1914 and his wife (Celestine) died five years earlier. Stebbing was a prolific photographer during the Belle Epoque Paris. He appears to have been an expatriate from England. He published many articles in British Photographic journals. Stebbing photographed many theatrical stars. This real photo postcard is uncommon.  (SOLD)

Postcard 8 is an uncommon vintage real photo postcard. It was published by Davidson Brothers of Great Britain. Davidson Brothers was located in both London and New York City. The firm operated between 1901 and 1911.  (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

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POSTCARD 8 (SOLD)

Published in: on February 12, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN SITTING AT A PIANO : RELAXED POSE : LEGGY : RISQUE

This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty young woman sitting at a piano. She is in a relaxed pose. This is also a leggy pose making this card risque for it’s era. Note the sheet music on the piano. This postcard portrait is hand tinted and is in very good condition (see scans)

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Buy this Real Photo Vintage Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5191

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$22.00

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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #5191

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$30.00

Published in: on January 31, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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FROMENTIN : PRETTY FRENCH PERFORMER : RISQUE : SAZERAC : PIPROT : PARIS : RPPC

This risque vintage real photo postcard features a fashionable performer named Fromentin.  The card is color tinted. She has a string of flowers wrapped around her shoulders and her dress is a flower pattern. The combination is a nice touch. “The Theatre” (1882) states that Fromentin, among others, present grace and beauty difficult to match. Fromentin was photographed by Sazerac. He was a photographer well known for his portraits of the showgirls of Paris. The publisher of this postcard, was Monsieur G. Piprot, of “Etoille” or “Star” publishing in Paris. The card is part of a series (No.854). The postcard has a postmark from 1905.  SOLD

Published in: on January 6, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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LILLIAN RUSSELL: CELEBRATED AMERICAN ACTRESS AND SINGER

russell_0002CABINET CARD 1

CABINET CARD 2   (SOLD)

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 CABINET CARD 5

RPPC 6 (SOLD)

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RPPC 8 (SOLD)

Lillian Russell (1860-1922) is pictured in the Cabinet Card 1 photograph by famed New York celebrity photographer, Falk. Lillian Russell is captured in costume as she appeared in “Pepita” (1886). Russell was a very famous American actress and singer who was known for her beauty, style, voice and stage presence. Her theater career began with roles in comic operas including the work of Gilbert and Sullivan. She married composer Edward Solomon in 1884 and two years later, he was arrested for bigamy.  She performed in New York and elsewhere in starring roles in comic opera and musical theatre. In 1904 she switched to dramatic roles due to voice problems. She later also appeared in vaudeville. She retired from the stage in 1919. She later wrote newspaper columns, advocated for women suffrage, and was a popular lecturer.  She married four times and her longest marriage was to Diamond Jim Brady who supported her extravagant lifestyle for four decades. It is interesting to note that the New York Times (4/2/1886) reported that during the performance of “Pepita”, an opera by her husband, Edward Solomon; there were obvious signs of marital discord observed on stage. The newspaper blamed issues revolving around Russell’s interfering mother, as well as, issues pertaining to Russell’s sudden prosperity. The newspaper article correctly predicted that there would soon be a divorce.

Cabinet card 2 is also photographed by Falk. This photograph provides a close-up image of Lillian Russell and is a testimonial to her beauty. (SOLD)

Cabinet card 3 was published by Newsboy and used by the tobacco company as a premium (#340). The photographer was Falk and the image was copyrighted in 1893. To view a collection cabinet cards by Falk; click on the category “Photographer: Falk”.

Cabinet card 4 is another image produced by B. J. Falk. Miss Russell is in costume and is posed provocatively partially behind sheer lace.

Cabinet card 5, also by Falk, provides a terrific profile portrait of the beautiful Miss Russell.

Lillian Russell is pictured in this vintage real photo postcard (RPPC 6). This undivided back postcard was published in 1907 or earlier. (SOLD)

RPPC 7 is an undivided back postcard portrait of Miss Russell. She is in costume. The publisher of this card is Pascalis, Moss & Company. The firm was London based and ceased publishing postcards in 1902. At that time Charles H. Pascalis (c1877-?) left the company and the firm changed it’s name to Henry Moss & Company. (SOLD)

RPPC 8 is risque in terms of the “plunging” neckline of Russell’s dress. This vintage postcard was published by Rotograph as part of a series (No.B518) Miss Russell’s photograph was taken by Jacob Schloss in 1899.  (SOLD)

Published in: on December 30, 2023 at 12:01 pm  Comments (2)  
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