HILDA HANBURY : BRITISH STAGE ACTRESS : STAGE BEAUTY : CABINET CARD

PHOTO 1

PHOTO 2

This cabinet card (Photo 1) features early British theatre actress, Hilda Hanbury (1875-1961). She is dressed for winter in this portrait. Note her warm looking coat and her hand-warming muff. Her hat is quite elaborate. Hilda’s sister, Lily Hanbury (1874-1908), was also an actress. Lily’s cabinet card photo portrait can be found elsewhere in the Cabinet Card Gallery. Hilda and Lily were cousins to actress Julia Neilson. Hilda began her acting career in the late 19th century and went on to have a successful stage and film career that spanned several decades. Hanbury made her professional stage debut in 1897 and went on to perform in a variety of plays throughout her career, including Shakespearean productions and contemporary dramas. She was particularly known for her performances in the plays of Noël Coward, and appeared in several of his works, including “The Vortex” and “Hay Fever.” Hanbury also appeared in a number of films during the 1930s and 1940s, including “The Ghoul” (1933) and “The Saint in London” (1939). Unlike her sister Lily, her film appearances were often in supportive roles. However, Hilda was considered a “stage beauty” and her image was popular on cabinet cards, cigarette cards, and postcards. Hanbury continued to act into her seventies, and her final stage appearance was in a production of Coward’s “Waiting in the Wings” in 1960. Hanbury was a close friend of playwright Noël Coward, and she appeared in several of his plays over the course of her career. Hanbury was known to be an avid bicyclist and a passionate gardener and was a member of the Royal Horticultural Society. She was a judge at flower shows and often exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show. Hilda married Arthur William Fox (1870-1956) in 1905. After the marriage, she retired from the stage and lived in a sixteen-room house. The couple had nine servants. Hilda and her husband divorced in 1923. The divorce was precipitated by her husband’s adultery. The photograph seen on this cabinet card was taken by the London Stereoscopic Company, located in Cheapside, England. The photo was taken sometime in the 1880’s or 1890’s. Interestingly, there is warning notice on the reverse of the photograph concerning it’s copyright. In addition, there is an advertisement offering photography lessons, on the card’s reverse. There is also an advertisement from H. G. Pearce & Co., a stationer and printer. SOLD

Photo 2 is a vintage real photo postcard featuring Hanbury holding her cute black dog over her shoulder. Note her flat hat. This postcard was published by Stewart & Woolf (London, England). SOLD

PHOTO 1

PHOTO 2

Published in: on May 15, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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EDITH TALIAFERRO : REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM : REAL PHOTO POSTCARD : (1914)

This vintage real photo postcard features actress Edith Taliaferro (1894-1958). She was an American stage and film actress in the late 19th and early 20th century. She was active on the stage until 1935. She played roles in three silent films. She is most famous for playing the role of Rebecca in the stage production of “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” (1910). Edith was born in Virginia. Her parents were theatre workers and her sister, Mabel, also became a stage actress. Edith made her stage debut at age two and by the time she was ten, she was performing in productions of Shakespeare. During her career, she performed in more than thirty stage productions. She appeared in sixteen Broadway shows.  (SOLD)

Published in: on March 31, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CECILIA LOFTUS : BROADWAY AND FILM ACTRESS : SHAKESPEARE : STAGE BEAUTY : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features a stage beauty named Cecilia Loftus (1876-1943). She was a Scottish actress, singer, mimic, vaudevillian, and music hall performer. Her career spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was a product of parents who were performers. Her father was a member of a successful variety group and her mother was an actress, music hall performer, and burlesque star. At age seventeen, Cecilia (Cissy) made her debut at the Oxford Music Hall in London. She began her career in Music Halls and then appered in musical comedy at the Gaiety Theatre. In 1894, she appeared in Vaudeville at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City. She joined the Ada Rehan Company, and then the Augustin Daly Company. In 1898, she began to appear in legitimate theatre. She toured with actor Sir Henry Irving. In 1905 she had success appearing in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”. Later that same year, she received much acclaim for her portrayal of Peter Pan. Loftus had a successful career in burlesque as well as on Broadway. The IBDb credits Loftus with appearing in 39 different Broadway productions between 1900 and 1941. Many of her roles were in Shakespeare plays. She also appeared in 14 films from the 1910’s to the 1940’s. Cecilia had a tumultous personal life. She eloped at 17 with an Irish writer, twice her age. The marriage failed. In 1908 she married an American doctor. Within six years, her marriage and health were in bad shape. She divorced her husband. Healthwise, she became dependent on alcohol and pain killers. In 1922, she was arrested for possession of morphine. She received probation from an English court and in 1923, she permanantly left Great Britain and returned to New York City to pursue her career on Broadway and in Hollywood.  The message on this postcard is very interesting. It is a note from a daughter to her mother. Although it is only a hypothesis, the daughter appears to be at the Good Shepherd Convent, in Cork, Ireland. This vintage postcard was published by the Rotary Photo Company as part of a series (no.235 E).  SOLD

Published in: on March 1, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ALEXANDRA DAGMAR : MUSIC HALL PERFORMER & PANTOMIMIST : RPPC 1904

This vintage real photo postcard features music hall vocalist and pantomime performer, Alexandra Dagmar (1868-1940). Dagmar appears to be making a toast in the postcard’s photo. She was born in Polar, England to Danish born parents. Her father was a ship chandler (seller of ship supplies and equipment), and later a wholesale provision merchant. Dagmar came to the public’s attention at the Grand National Amphitheatre in London. where she appeared in “Richard III”. She subsequently toured the United States where she met Edmond DeCelle (1854-1920), a tenor, who she married in New York (1888).The pair appeared together in both the United States and Great Britain for a few years until Dagmar resumed her solo career. She retired upon the onset of the First World War and she and her family made the US her home. She died in Mobile, Alabama at about 72 years of age. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.1682). The photo on this card was taken by the Langfer studio which was located in Glasgow, Scotland. This postcard was postmarked in Derby in 1904.  (SOLD)

Published in: on November 18, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ELEANOR ROBSON : JULIET IN ROMEO & JULIET : LIEBLER & CO : CABINET CARD

This cabinet card features English actress, Eleanor Robson (1879-1979). She was also a well known public figure in the US. Robson was born in England. Robson’s father deserted her and her mother when she was just one years old. Her mother was an English born American stage actress and moved her family to the United States while Eleanor was still a child. Robson began her stage career in San Francisco at the age of 17. She worked in stock theater companies around the country. One of these stock companies was at Elitch Theater in Denver. She made her New York stage debut in 1900. She had a ten year career as a leading Broadway actress. She appeared in 17 Broadway plays between 1900 and 1923. These plays included Romeo and Juliet (1903), She Stoops to Conquer (1905), and Salomy Jane (1907).George Bernard Shaw wrote a play for her. Robson was very involved in the Metropolitan Opera association. She was on it’s board and also founded the Metropolitan Opera Guild. An inscription on the reverse of this cabinet card indicates that this photograph was taken during her appearance in “Romeo and Juliet”. She played Juliet and was a member of the Liebler & Co.’s “all-star cast”. She played opposite Kyrle Bellew (Romeo). Liebler & Co. was a play producing organization founded in 1898 by Theodore Liebler, Jr. and George Tyler. It was the leading theatrical production company until 1915. In 1910, Robson married August Belmont Jr and retired from the stage. Belmont was a German American financier, politician, and diplomat. (SOLD)

Published in: on November 4, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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GRACE ELLISTON : STAGE ACTRESS : BROADWAY STAR : UNCOMMON : RPPC

This uncommon vintage real photo postcard features American theater actress, Grace Elliston (c1881-1950). Her original name was “Grace Rutter” and that is the name used in the caption seen on this postcard. Elliston was a noted Broadway actress. The IBDb reveals that she appeared in 22 Broadway shows between 1899 and 1922. Her plays included “The Ambassador” (1900),  “Her Husband’s Wife” (1910), “The Country Cousin” (1917) ” and a number of productions of Shakespeare. Elliston appeared with many noted performers including Julia Marlowe, Ethel Barrymore, William Farnum, and Viola Allen. She appeared in one silent film, “Black Fear” (1915). Elliston was a native of Memphis, Tennessee and came to New York as a young woman and went to work as a chorus girl. A successful Broadway career followed. This postcard was published by Rapid Photo as part of a series (no.1084). The card was printed in London. This vintage photo portrait postcard is in good condition (see scans).

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Published in: on May 20, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MARGARET HALSTON: BEAUTIFUL SHAKESPEARIAN ACTRESS AND FILM STAR

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

Margaret Halston, in her role as Desdemona in Othello, is the subject of Postcard 1. The card was published by Percy Guttenberg of Manchester, England. The postcard is part of the “Revival Series” (no.122). Margaret Halston (1879-1967) was an English actress born in London, England as Clara Maud Hertz. A number of references mention that she was of Jewish descent. She was known for both theater, film, and television performances. Among her popular performances was in “Tell Your Children” (1922), “The Holly and the Ivy” 1952, and “Touch and Go” (1955). She began her acting career in amateur theatre and she made her professional stage debut at the Haymarket Theater in 1895. Her roles became larger over time until she became a leading actress appearing in plays such as  ‘Hamlet   ‘ (1896), “Antony and Cleopatra” (1897), and “The Taming of the Shrew” (1897). At the turn of the century she became part of Frank Benson’s theatre group and took numerous roles in Shakespearian theatre. It is reported that she acted in almost all of Shakespeare’s plays. She later worked in George Alexander and Herbert Beerbohm-Tree’s theater groups. She became involved in film in 1916 when she made her debut with “A Bunch of Violets”. Over the next few years she appeared in a small number of silent movies. She adapted well to sound films and appeared in a number of them. IMDB credits her with appearing in sixteen films between 1917 and 1956. The site also lists three television credits between 1938 and 1955. Miss Halstan was certainly an entertainment star. It is interesting to note that she twice played in the role of “Queen of Transylvania” in the theatrical production of “My Fair Lady” (1957-1958, 1961-1963). There are three portraits of her in the National Portrait Gallery.

Postcard 2 features Margaret Halston, in her role in “As You Like It”. She is the subject of this real photo postcard published by Percy Guttenberg of Manchester, England. The postcard is part of the “Revival Series” (no.122). The photographer of this image is Alexander Percy Guttenberg (1870-?). He came from a family that produced a number of photographers. His father, Marcus Guttenberg (1828-1891) began as a daguerreotypist in Hungary, Prussia, Poland and Germany before starting a photography business in England (1851). One source reports that he established 24 studios in England but settled in the Manchester area. Percy, like his father, was also very successful. In fact, there are fourteen of his photographs in England’s National Portrait Gallery. Percy was famous for his work photographing actors and actresses. This portrait postcard, is in excellent condition (see scans). 

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5394

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POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

Published in: on March 24, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Comments (4)  
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ALEXANDRA CARLISLE : SHAKESPEARE : BROADWAY : SUFFRAGETTE : COOLIDGE NOMINATOR

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

Postcard 1 features pretty stage and film actress Alexandra Carlisle (1886-1936). She is wearing a feathered hat and a sullen expression. Carlisle was an English actress as well as a suffragest. She was born in England. In 1903 she performed in two Shakespearian productions. In 1908, she performed the lead role in “The Mollusc” at the Garrick Theatre. IN 1908 she appeared in two productions of Shakespeare plays produced by Herbert Beerbohm Tree. In 1911, she acted in a Royal Command Performance for King George V and the Emperor and Empress of Germany. In 1912, she married for the third time. Her new husband was a dental surgeon from the US and in 1915 she settled there. She quickly became a noted speaker for women’s suffrage and for the Republican Party. In 1920, she directed a show for Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Club. Also in 1920, she was the main speaker for Massachusetts at the Republican Convention and she seconded the nomination of Calvin Coolidge for Vice President. Carlisle performed in two films (1917,1934). She was an active Broadway performer; performing in 17 Broadway productions between 1908 and 1936. The writer of this postcard mentions Miss Carlisle. She states that “we saw A. C. in Earl of Pawtucket”. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no. 4073 H). Carlisle’s phototgraph was taken by Dover Street Studios. The postcard is postmarked 1907 and has a British stamp. (SOLD)

Postcard 2 also features pretty stage and film actress Alexandra Carlisle. She is wearing a hair ornament and a half smile. This postcard was published by Aristophot as part of a series (no.E1556). Carlisle’s photograph was taken by Dover Street Studios. The postcard is unused, hand tinted, and is of the embossed style. This postcard is beautifully colored and in very good condition.  (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

Published in: on January 20, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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JANE COWL : IN COSTUME FOR “WITHIN THE LAW

This vintage real photo postcard features American film and stage actress, Jane Cowl (1883-1950). Cowl was also a playwright. She was born in Boston, attended high school in Brooklyn, New York, and took courses at Columbia University. She made her Broadway debut in 1903. She landed her first leading role in a 1909 David Belasco production. Her first big success was in “The Gamblers” (1910). She had much success on the stage, including “Within the Law” (1912). This photo postcard captures Miss Cowl in costume for her role in “Within the Law”. She played in a number of Broadway productions of Shakespeare. She played Juliet in more than 1000 consecutive performances. In 1930, she performed with a young Katharine Hepburn in “Art and Mrs. Bottle”. In sum, the IBDB reports that Cowl appeared in 35 Broadway productions between 1903 and 1947. Cowl’s performing history includes working in film. She was the lead in two silent films. She had an over 30 year hiatus from the movies until taking on some supporting film roles during the 1940’s. IN 1906, Jane Cowl was married to Adolph Edward Klauber. He was the drama critic for the New York Times. He was a former actor and the son of a noted Louisville, Kentucky Jewish photographer. In 1918, Klauber left his newspaper job to become a theatrical producer and manager. He and Cowl separated in 1930. This vintage postcard portrait is in excellent condition (see scans).

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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3931

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jane-cowl_0001-1

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #3931

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Published in: on September 8, 2022 at 6:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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LEWIS WALLER : BRITISH STAGE ACTOR : ROBINHOOD : RPPC : (1908)

This real photo postcard features British actor and theater manager, Lewis Waller (1860-1915). The photo shows Waller in costume for the production of “Robinhood”. After performing with a few theater companies, Waller entered the late 1880’s as an actor who played romantic leads in both Shakespeare and popular dramatic stage productions. He was a hit with the ladies and had a large vocal fan club. He managed theaters and theater tours from the 1885 through after the turn of the century. Waller achieved success in playing title roles in Booth Tarkington’s “Monsieur Beaucaire” and Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Brigadier Gerard”. However, Waller preferred acting in plays by Shakespeare. Waller was born in Spain but educated in London. He studied languages in Europe and for four years worked as a clerk in a London firm. In 1882 he married Florenc Isabella Brandon who became an actress under the name of Florence West. Waller acted in amateur productions and by 1883 began workeing as a professional actor. During 1911 and 1912. Waller toured and performed in the United States, Canada, and Australia. During his career he made recordings for the Gramophone Company and acted in three films. This vintage photo postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.4222G). Waller’s portrait photograph was taken by the Foulsham and Banfield Studio. The message on this postcard indicates that it was written in 1908.  (SOLD)

Published in: on May 17, 2022 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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