MARCELLE YRVEN : FRENCH STAGE AND FILM STAR (1904)

This vintage real photo postcard features French stage and film star, Marcelle Yrven (1877-1954). Miss Yrven is pretty and photogenic. Her IMDb filmography reports that she was in thirteen films between 1925 and 1942. She also appeared in many theater productions between 1898 and 1935. This postcard is hand colored. The card was published in Germany by NPG (Neue Photographische Gesellschaft) as part of a series (no.435/3). A. G. Steglitz is also listed as a publisher. The postcard is an “Oranotypie” and was published in 1904. An oranotype is a trade name for a type of glossy real photo postcard published by NPG. The company was a leading bromide photo printing company for many years.at the beginning of the 20th century.  SOLD

MADY CHRISTIANS : GAY STAGE AND FILM ACTRESS : POLITICALLY INVOLVED : FBI : RPPC

Mady Christians (1892-1951) was an Austrian-American actress. She appeared in many films and stage productions, both in Europe and the United States. This photograph captures Christians and two dogs in a scene from the silent film “Zoph und Schwert (Braid and Sword)” (1926). Some of her most notable performances include roles in the films “The Great Dictator” (1940) and “The Shop Around the Corner” (1940). She was also a successful stage actress and appeared in several Broadway productions. Christians was forced to flee Nazi Germany in the 1930s and emigrated to the United States where she continued her acting career. She was an active performer between 1916 and 1951. She was born in Vienna. Her father was a well known German actor. The family moved to Berlin and in 1912 they moved to New York City where her father became the general manager of the Irving Place Theater. In 1917, she returned to Europe to study acting under Max Reinhardt. Before the early 1930’s she appeared in several European films. In 1929, she starred in the first full sound film made in Germany. After touring the United States in a play, she was offered a Broadway contract. While appearing in Broadway she became part of a small and influential group of lesbian theater producers, directors, and actors. Christians became involved in political issues. She worked to help refugees, to gain rights for workers, supported Russian War relief, and was involved in other political issues. Her political work brought her to the attention of the FBI and other anti Communist groups, notably the House Committee on Un-American Activities. The FBI investigated Christians when an informant identified her as a “concealed communist”. The investigation virtually ended her performing career. She passed away in 1951 This card was published by Ross Verlag. The firm operated in Berlin, Germany. Note the mention of the German film company Aafa Film-Regie and the film’s director, Victor Janson in the lower right corner of the image.  SOLD

MISS DOROTHY RUNDELL AS CINDERELLA : IN COSTUME : ROTARY PHOTO : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features actress Dorothy Rundell in costume for her role as Cinderella. She is holding a broom and has a look of despondency. Rundell was a sitter for six portraits in the collection of England’s National Portrait Gallery. In 1913, Rundell appeared in  “This Way Madam! at London’s Queens Theatre. A World War I website presents an article about Captain Leopold Profeit. The author mentions that in 1915, about nine months after he enlisted into the army, Profeit married Dorothy Rundell. She was 26 years old, nine years younger than Captain Profeit. In 1917, less than two years after the nuptials, Profeit was killed at the Battle of Dorian fighting against the Bulgarians. A review in the “Tatler” (1917) reports that Dorothy replaced Doris Keane in the London production of “Romance”. The reviewer wrote that Dorothy “won all hearts by her personal charm, and delicate sensibility”.  This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.11588 A). The photo of Miss Rundell was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio.  Frank Foulsham and A. C. Banfield operated a studio from the 1900’s through the 1920’s and were well known celebrity photographers. SOLD

MARGARET HALSTON: BEAUTIFUL SHAKESPEARIAN ACTRESS AND FILM STAR

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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). 

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PHOTOGRAPH OF THE THEATER IN LAKEWOOD, MAINE

This vintage real photo postcard features the theater at Lakewood, Maine. The theater gives the appearance of a large colonial home. The marquee on the front porch is displaying the photograph of the actors and actresses appearing in the current show. Note the two 1940’s automobiles parked in front of the theater. The postcard’s message states that the writer is at the theater for an afternoon matinee. The postcard is addressed to a couple living in Port Washington (Long Island). New York. The card’s postmark reveals that it was mailed in 1950. The postcard has a small chip on the left side of the top border but is in otherwise good condition (see scans). The Lakewood theatre is the official state theater of Maine. It received that title in 1967 from the state legislature. Before that time, the theater was known as “Broadway in Maine”. It began as a vaudeville play house. It was originally built as a hall for Spiritualist Camp Association meetings. The building was built in 1882. In 1884 it was converted into a roller skating rink. In 1898, it became a theater. (SOLD)

MALE JAPANESE KABUKI PERFORMER : IN COSTUME : HOLDING A FAN : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features a male kabuki performer. He is dressed in traditional costume and holding a fan. Kabuki is a classical type of Japanese dance/song/drama. Kabuki theater includes very stylized performances, glamorous costumes, and intricate make-up. (SOLD)

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THE MUMMY AND THE HUMMINGBIRD : JULES MURRY COMPANY : ORGAN GRINDER : (1915)

This undivided vintage theatrical postcard features advertising for the play, “The Mummy And The Hummingbird”.The play was performed by the Jules Murry Company. Murry’s obituary appears in the New York Times (12/31/39). The newspaper reports that Murry was in charge of booking for the Shubert theatrical enterprises. He was born in Germany but lived in the United States for 50 years. HIs show business career began with his working as an independent manager and producer. He then joined the Shuberts. “The Mummy And The Hummingbird” was also a silent film. It was released in 1915 by Paramount Pictures. This vintage theatrical postcard is in good condition (see scans). (SOLD)

DORA BARTON : ENGLISH FILM ACTRESS : TWO PORTRAITS : RPPC

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Image 1 - DORA BARTON : FILM ACTRESS : ROTARY PHOTO : RPPC  (1904)Postcard 2  (SOLD)

 

This wonderful vintage real photo postcard (Postcard 1) captures actor Mr. Charles Garry and actress Dora Barton (1880-1966) in a dramatic scene from the play “Ivanhoe”. Ivanhoe was a dramatization by William Palmer of Walter Scott’s novel.Dora Barton plays Rebecca while Charles Garry plays the role of Isaac of York. Both actors later had film careers. This photograph does an incredible job of capturing the performers emotions. The photographer of this image was well known for his talent and family ties. Alexander Percy Guttenberg (1870-?) 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. The image above was photographed at his Queen’s Theater studio in Manchester as part of a “Revival Series”. The postcard has been mailed and is postmarked in Sunderland in the year 1909. Sunderland is in the northeast of England.

Postcard 2 features a portrait of Dora Barton. Barton, an English actress, appeared in films between 1916 and 1938. Her mother and her sister were also actresses. The IMDb reports that Barton appeared in 12 films. She also appeared in a Broadway show in 1902. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.1654C). Barton’s photo portrait was done by Alexander Bassano. Bassano (1829 –1913) was a leading royal and high society photographer in Victorian London. The postcard has a 1904 postmark.  (SOLD)

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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)

GIPSY TOUZEAU : PRETTY STAGE ACTRESS : OBSCURE : CABINET CARD : ELLIS & WALERY

This cabinet card portrait features actress Gipsy Touzeau. She is pretty and she is an obscure performer. Information about her is not easily accessible. It would be interesting to do the research to discover more about her. This photograph of Touzeau was taken by the Ellis & Walery studio (London, England). Alfred Ellis was an active photographer between 1884 and 1899. He was a well regarded photographer who speciatlized in theatrical photography. He took photographs of individual performers, as well as whole scenes with multiple actors and actresses. Between 1890 and 1900, Ellis was joined by Stanislaw Julian Ignacy (aka Count Ostrong). The name “Walery” was adopted for professional purposes by his prominent photographer father. The younger Stanislaw kept the name.  (SOLD)