This vintage real photo features a pretty young woman wearing a negligee and stockings. She is provocatively playing with pillows. The pillow on the floor has a drawing of a woman who looks a lot like “Betty Boop”. This postcard is risque for its era. The card was published by the French firm, P.C Paris as part of a series (No.1448). 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
This striking real photo postcard features a confident young woman posing against a neutral backdrop, dressed in a decorative fringed shawl that is elegantly wrapped around her hips. Her bare torso and boldly direct gaze give the portrait a sense of intimate glamour, common to the French “nude étude” genre of the early 20th century. Her hair is neatly parted and styled in a sleek, classic fashion, and she wears distinctive looped earrings that accent her graceful neck and shoulders. The woman’s expression is both engaging and relaxed, her slight smile inviting and warm. Her stance—turned slightly in profile yet facing the camera with a sense of ease—demonstrates a poise that suggests she may have been a dancer or performer. The use of light and shadow on the wall behind her adds visual depth, while the soft focus enhances the romanticism of the image. Interestingly, the woman modeling on this postcard has been described by some commentators as Arab and other observers have hypothesized that she is Hispanic. This postcard was produced by P.C. Paris, one of the leading French publishers of glamour, artistic nude, and theatrical postcards during the 1920s and 1930s. The postcard is numbered 1887 in the lower corner, part of a large series of posed studio portraits often issued in sequential sets. The reverse reads “Made in France” and bears the P.C. Paris publisher’s mark, indicating it is an original continental European issue—not a later reproduction. P.C. Paris (Phototypie C. et Cie), based in Paris, was known for creating refined studio portraits of women, including risqué and erotic studies, often with exotic or theatrical styling. Many of their models were dancers, actresses, or professional models. Their cards were sold widely across Europe and were sometimes considered collectible art photography. SOLD
These vintage real photo postcards feature French stage and film actress, Renee Adoree (1898-1933). She also appeared in silent movies produced by Hollywood in the 1910’s. Her most well known film was the melodramatic romance and war epic, “The Big Parade”. She played the love interest of John Gilbert. Renee’s parents were circus artists. She would perform with them at times. She was a dancer, acrobat artist, and bareback rider. She perfomed throughout Europe. She made her movie debut in 1918. In 1919, she went to New York City and played in a vaudeville-style musical. Several other stage appearances followed. In 1920, she began to perform in movies again. In total, Renee performed with John Gilbert nine times. She appeared with actor Ramon Novarro four times. In a 1928 Howard Hughes film, “The Mating Call”, Renee had a brief scene in which she swam in the nude. This act created much controversy. Renee’s personal life included two marriages and two divorces between 1921 and 1929. Renee, unlike many other actresses of her time, was successful in making the transition to sound film. She appeared in four “talkies” before her early death. In all, by the end of 1920, Renee had appeared in forty-five films. The IBDb reports that she appeared in two Broadway productions, both occurred in 1919, It was in 1930 that Renee was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Despite her doctor’s advice, she continued her participation in the filming of a movie. After completing the movie, she was rushed to an Arizona sanitorium. She was flat on her back for two years during her recovery. Post discharge, Renee’s health began to deteriorate until she died in 1933. She was only about 35 years old at the time of her death.
Postcard 1 features Renee in a risque pose. She is dressed quite provocatively. This postcard was published by “Ross Verlag” as part of a series (No.4350/1). SOLD
Postcard 2 features Renee standing in front of a horse. She is holding the horse’s harness. Apparently, she liked animals and possessed a sense of humor. She had a dog named “Useless”, and a cat named “Worthless”. The logo for MGM can be seen in the lower right hand corner of the image. She was under contract with MGM from 1930 until her death. This postcard was published by “Europe” as part of a series (No.395). SOLD
Postcard 3 offers a view of Renee that illustrates her beauty. She is fashionable and her attire includes a jacket with a fur collar. The card features a logo for MGM in its lower right corner. The card was published by Ross Verlag and is part of a series (No.3794/1). SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard was mailed in 1903 and features Miss Alex, a lesser known actress or dancer of the Belle Epoque era. She was quite pretty. Many entertainers such as Miss Alex, were more or less prostitutes or “kept women”. Certainly, not all of these women were involved in such a lifestyle, and it is unknown how Miss Alex supported herself. The “Ambassadeurs”, a Paris music hall, is printed on the top right hand corner of the front of the postcard. Miss Alex was probably part of the Ambassadeur’s company of entertainers. This portrait postcard was photographed by Lucien Walery. He was a celebrated Paris photographer known for his portraits of artists and cabaret dancers from the city’s music halls. He is very well known for his portraits of Mata Hari and Josephine Baker. Walery did a lot of work in the genre of nude/erotic photography. He photographed the beautiful women of Paris between the early 1900’s and the 1920’s. This “risque” postcard is part of the Etoile 11 series. SOLD
This cabinet card is quite unusual in that it has photographic images on both sides of the card. A very pretty ballet dancer is from the Alhambra Ballet production of Cupid is pictured in each image. In one photograph her legs are crossed while in the second photograph her legs are open and her undergarment is visible through her transparent tutu. The cabinet card is risque for it’s era. The Alhambra was a theatre in London, England. It was opened in 1854 as “The Royal Panopticon”. A circus ring was added and it was reopened in 1858 as the Alhambra. The theatre stage hosted music hall acts, aerial acts, ballet, light opera, and other events. The theatre was closed and demolished in 1936. This cabinet card features a dancer from the ballet, Cupid which opened at the Alhambra on 5/24/1886. The principal dancer in this production was Emma Bessone, and research reveals that the ballerina in this image is likely Emma Bessone. She was an Italian dancer who trained at La Scala and became prima ballerina for both the Maryinsky and Bolshoi companies in Russia. The photographer of this cabinet card was Samuel A. Walker whose studio was located in London. SOLD
This French vintage postcard features two young woman in risque poses. One woman is completely nude while the other is wearing lingerie and black stocking and garters. Both ladies have mischievous smiles. This postcard was published by Lagache Imp. (Paris, France). The card is part of a series (No.6). SOLD
Meet the Harrison Sisters, or the “Sisters Harrison” if you prefer the title on this vintage real photo postcard. The sisters are dressed like belly dancers and perhaps that is their trademark talent. Judging by their expressions, the young women don’t appear to be too interested in their career choice. Note the dancer’s sheer skirts and abundance of jewelry. The provocative skirts and the performer’s bikini top certainly makes this a risque photograph for it’s era. Postcard images such as this often appeared with a Salome theme. Salome, the daughter of Herod II and Herodias is involved in the story of John the Baptist, or more specifically, the head of John the Baptist. Salome was a popular subject in literature, theater, and art around the time that these images were produced. Salome became a symbol for dangerous female seductiveness. To make a long story longer, I am not sure if the inspiration of this postcard’s image is Middle Eastern belly dancing or the temptress Salome. Preliminary research uncovered nothing about the “Sisters Harrison” and clearly more extensive investigation is required. Perhaps the Cabinet Card Gallery’s research department (it’s visitors) have some information to share about these dancing siblings. SOLD
This cabinet card portrait features an unknown actress in a provocative pose sitting on a swing. An exposed leg and lacy undergarments propel this photograph into risque territory. The curly haired young woman flashes a terrific smile at the camera. The photographer of this image is the Sazerac studio which was located at the “Hotel Prive” in Paris, France. No information could be located about Mr. Sazerac but one can easily find real photo postcard portraits of French show girls that were produced by his studio. Sazerac cabinet cards are less common. SOLD
This delightful real photo postcard features a cheerful young woman seated on a faux rock formation, wearing a charming bathing costume and matching head wrap. Her outfit is a stylish two-piece ensemble made of dark fabric with bold, checked gingham trim on the collar, sleeves, and skirt hem—a classic look from the 1910s to early 1920s. Her lace-up bathing boots and the studio backdrop, which imitates a beach setting, reinforce the seaside theme. The woman’s expression is warm and welcoming; she smiles gently at the camera, her chin resting lightly on her hand in a relaxed pose. There is an engaging sense of playfulness and personality in the portrait—characteristics that make it especially appealing to collectors of early 20th-century beach imagery and character photography. This postcard was produced by The Palace Studios, located at 1235 on the Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, a popular tourist destination in the early 20th century. Palace Studios specialized in novelty and souvenir portrait photography for beachgoers, offering whimsical props and painted backdrops that gave visitors an idealized memento of their seaside vacation. The reverse of the postcard features a CYKO stamp box, a format used by the CYKO photographic paper brand, which helps to date this postcard to the 1910s–early 1920s. The card has a divided back, which also aligns with that time frame. SOLD
Photograph 1 is an original vintage is a French press photo from 1991. The image features the actress, Greta Garbo in a scene from the silent film, “The Temptress” (1926). Garbo (1905-1990) was a Swedish film actress in the 1920’s and 1930’s. She was beautiful and she was talented. During her career she was nominated three times for the Academy Award for best actress. The American Film Institute rated her fifth on their list of the greatest female stars of classic Hollywood cinema. Her first film role was in the Swedish film “The Saga of Gosta Berling” (1924). Louis B. Mayer, the head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) was impressed by her performance and brought her to Hollywood in 1925. Her performance in the silent film “Flesh and the Devil” made her an international star. Her first talkie was “Anna Christie” (1930). Many film experts believe her finest performance came in the film “Camille” (1936). By1938, her career went into a tailspin and she retired from the movie industry at the ripe young age of 35. In total, she had appeared in twenty-eight films. She led a very private life in her retirement and she became an art collector in her later years. She clearly knew her art, evidenced by the fact that her collection was worth millions of dollars when she died. (SOLD)
Postcard 1 is a vintage postcard that is risque. Garbo’s dress is quite low cut. This vintage postcard is part of the “Picturegoer” series (No.503). (SOLD)
Postcard 2 was published by Ross Verlag (Berlin) as part of a series (5287/4). Note the logo for MGM in the bottom right corner of the image. (SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard was mailed in 1903 and features Miss Alex, a lesser known actress or dancer of the Belle Epoque era. She was quite pretty. Many entertainers such as Miss Alex, were more or less prostitutes or “kept women”. Certainly, not all of these women were involved in such a lifestyle, and it is unknown how Miss Alex supported herself. 
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
