THE CABINET CARD GALLERY

This beautiful hand-colored theatrical postcard features American stage actress Maude Fealy portrayed in a romantic and highly artistic studio portrait. The image captures Fealy seated among flowering branches in a softly staged garden-like setting, creating an ethereal atmosphere characteristic of early twentieth-century theatrical photography. In this portrait Fealy appears in the role of Fair Rosamund in the play Becket, the celebrated historical drama centered on the conflict between King Henry II and Archbishop Thomas Becket. Fair Rosamund—traditionally portrayed as the king’s beloved—is often depicted in literature and theater as a figure associated with beauty, innocence, and romantic tragedy. The floral setting and delicate costuming in this image reflect that idealized interpretation of the character. Fealy gazes slightly upward toward the camera with a calm and reflective expression, giving the portrait a dreamy, contemplative quality. Her long, softly curling hair frames her face and enhances the romantic tone of the composition. She wears a flowing, gauzy gown that has been carefully hand-tinted in a striking turquoise-green color, a technique commonly used on high-quality theatrical postcards of the Edwardian era. Subtle gold accents outline the garment, and the loose fabric drapes gracefully across her lap while blossoms appear to rest lightly in her hands, reinforcing the floral and poetic mood of the scene. The lower margin of the postcard identifies the publisher as the Philco Publishing Company (London).The card is number 3106A in a series. Maude Fealy (1883–1971) was a successful stage actress who later appeared in silent films and early talking pictures. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she was the daughter of actress Margaret Fealy and began performing at a young age. Fealy developed a strong reputation on the American stage and toured widely before transitioning into motion pictures beginning in the 1910s. This postcard was mailed and postmarked June 19, 1906. The original green Edward VII one-half penny stamp remains affixed at the upper right. The postcard remains in good overall antique condition. The hand-colored image retains strong visual appeal with attractive color. There is minor corner wear consistent with age and handling. The reverse displays the original stamp, clear postmark, and handwritten message. Overall, this is a very appealing example of an early theatrical postcard depicting Maude Fealy in one of her noted stage roles (see scans).

This postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $32.00 at auction.

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236677483726

This action packed postcard features a soccer goalie making a “save” and preventing the opposing team from making a score. The caption reads “Charged Through”. This refers to the player that has run past the goalie and travelled into the net. The referee, wearing a striped red and white shirt, observes the action. 
This postcard was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons and is part of the “Oilette ” series (no. 1746). Oilette cards are copies of the work of commissioned artists. This postcard is part of a sub series entitled “Football Incidents”, and the card itself is captioned “A Try”. This rugby image was modeled after a black & white drawing by S. T. Dadd. The postcard was postmarked in 1907, but was issued in 1904. Raphael Tuck and his wife started their photography business in 1866 in London. Their store sold pictures, greeting cards, and in time, postcards. Their success came from the sale of postcards during the late 1890’s and early 1900’s. In the early 1900’s the firm conducted postcard competitions for collectors of Tuck postcards. These competitions offered cash prizes and they were very popular. The winner of one of these competitions had a collection consisting of over twenty-five thousand cards. Three of Tuck’s four sons participated in the business. The company was devastated by German bombing during World War II. In 1959 the company merged with two other printing companies. This postcard is in good condition (see scans).

This cabinet card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $22.00 at auction.

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336474944451

This uncommon vintage real photo postcard features English actress, Eleanor (Nellie) Souray (1880-1931). She was also known as Viscountess, or Lady Torrington. She was known for her roles in Edwardian musical comedies, pantomime, and light opera. Her sister, Maidie Souray was also an actress. Eleanor ran away from school to act in a touring company from Brighton. It was not long before she was starring in plays on the London stage. Among the plays she appeared in were “The Black Tulip” (1898), “The Blue Moon” (1905), and “The Merveilleuses” (1906). She was also a Gaiety Theatre girl. Eleanor was also an author, penning “Over the Garden Wall: A Story of Racing and Romance” (1924). In 1910, she wed George Master Byng, the 9th Viscount Torrington. They only knew each other three day before they were married. They shared a strong interest in horse racing. The pair divorced after World War l. She became more involved in horse racing and that interest led to her bankruptcy in 1930. In 1931 she committed suicide by gas. At the time of her death she was struggling with poverty and loneliness. This postcard’s photo was taken by Rita Martin, the celebrated female photographer known for her portraits of stage stars. The postcard was published by Rotophot (Giesen Bros.).This vintage postcard is in very good condition (see scans). 

This cabinet card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $18.00

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336473179442

This appealing real photo postcard captures a relaxed and cheerful group portrait of four young adults posed together in a seaside photo studio in the early twentieth century. The image was produced by Bishop Studio of Ocean Beach, New London, Connecticut, a studio that catered to visitors enjoying the popular shoreline resort area along Long Island Sound. Ocean Beach was a well-known summer destination during this period, and souvenir photographs such as this were commonly made for vacationers wishing to preserve memories of their time at the shore. The photograph shows two women and two men arranged in a casual grouping. In the foreground, a young man sits on a wooden bench wearing a light-colored suit jacket, white shirt, and a neatly tied bow tie. His posture is relaxed but attentive, with his hands resting on his knees, and he looks directly toward the camera with a calm, somewhat serious expression.  Beside him sits a young woman dressed in a blouse and cardigan with a striking vertically striped skirt. She appears comfortable and self-assured, gazing forward with a composed expression. Standing behind them are the other two members of the group. The man on the left wears a suit and tie topped with a soft felt hat. His head tilts slightly and his expression carries a faint smile, giving the impression of quiet amusement or easy confidence. To the right stands a young woman wearing a wide-brimmed woven hat decorated with a ribbon. She leans forward slightly with one hand resting on the seated man’s shoulder, smiling broadly and warmly toward the camera. Her bright sassy expression and the relaxed closeness of the group suggest these four were likely friends enjoying a day together at the beach. The reverse of the card shows an AZO photographic paper stamp box that dates the card to approximately 1904–1918.  Also on the reverse appears the publisher’s credit: “Bishop Studio, Ocean Beach, New London, Conn.” The postcard remains in good overall vintage condition. There is minor corner wear consistent with age. The borders show slight darkening and handling marks typical of early real photo postcards, and there is mild corner softening. The reverse is unused and clean, and despite fading, the studio credit and the AZO stamp box are clearly visible. Overall, it displays nicely and remains a charming example of an early seaside souvenir portrait. See Scans.

This postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $22.00 or best offer

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336483177655

Offered here is a striking vintage real photo postcard portrait of a young woman, published by Kiss, No. 605, a European photographic postcard publisher active in the early twentieth century. The card likely dates to circa 1910–1915, based on the photographic style, the fashion of the sitter, and the publisher’s numbering system. The portrait presents an attractive young woman posed in a soft-focus studio setting typical of the era. She leans gently forward with one arm resting on a floral arrangement, creating an intimate and engaging composition. Her hair is styled in a fashionable beehive-style coiffure, arranged in soft curls that frame her face and accentuate her large expressive eyes. A small decorative hair ornament is visible among the curls. Her expression is warm and slightly playful, with a subtle smile that gives the portrait a lively, personable quality. She gazes directly toward the viewer, a technique commonly used in early twentieth-century studio portraits to create a sense of connection with the subject. The woman wears a delicate necklace with a small pendant, which rests at the base of her neck and adds a subtle elegance to the image. Her dress appears to be made of sheer or lightly textured fabric with decorative floral elements along the neckline and shoulder. Resting beneath her arm is a bouquet of flowers—likely carnations. The photograph is signed in the lower right corner “Kiss” The Kiss publishing house produced a number of photographic portrait postcards during the early 1900s. These cards were commonly distributed throughout continental Europe, particularly in France and Belgium, and typically featured studio portraits of actresses, performers, and fashionable women of the period. The reverse of the postcard contains a printed vertical line in French reading (as translated): “Printed by J. B. H. Jacquie, La Garenne-Colombes.” La Garenne-Colombes is a town located just northwest of Paris, France. In regard to condition, the postcard remains in good antique condition overall. The image retains strong contrast and pleasing detail in the subject’s face, hair, and clothing. The corners show minor wear typical of postcards of this period. The reverse displays light toning and scattered age spots but remains clean and clearly legible (see scans). This is a beautiful early twentieth-century portrait postcard, notable for the subject’s expressive gaze and it’s elegant styling. 

This vintage postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $19.85 

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336468489309

Offered here is a wonderful antique cabinet card portrait of two children identified in period handwriting as Albert and Bertha Grusce. The portrait was taken by N. N. (Nelson N.) Mickelson, photographer of Dwight, Illinois, and dates to approximately 1900 (circa 1897–1905) based on the style of the mount, clothing, and the photographer’s studio imprint. Albert stands beside a small wooden studio stool, resting his hand on its surface while facing the camera with a serious, composed expression typical of formal studio portraits of the era. He wears a stylish outfit consisting of a plaid jacket, striped knee trousers, and a large decorative bow tie, along with buttoned leather boots. His neatly parted hair and steady gaze give him a very dignified appearance for a young boy. Seated beside him is Bertha, posed on an upholstered studio chair. She wears a dark dress with lace trim and a decorative collar, and her hair is softly curled with a small ribbon at the crown. Like her brother, she looks directly toward the camera with a calm, slightly solemn expression that was common in late-19th-century photographic portraiture. The photographer arranged the pair carefully using studio furniture to create a balanced composition.  Historical records indicate that this photographer, Nelson N. (“Nels”) Mickelson (1850–1924), a Danish-born resident of Dwight who appears in local records first as a grocer and later as a professional photographer in the town during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The reverse of the card is especially attractive, featuring an illustrated view of the Dwight Art Co. photographic studio building, along with text identifying Mickelson as the “successor to Dwight Art Co.” The backmark also advertises picture frames, albums, and art goods offered by the studio. Dwight, Illinois is a small town located in north-central Illinois.  SOLD

This striking cabinet card portrait features an elderly gentleman distinguished by an extraordinarily long and flowing white beard—one of those wonderful nineteenth-century faces that immediately captures the viewer’s attention. The photograph was produced by M. D. Miller of Tiffin, Ohio. The sitter is shown in a straightforward bust portrait against a softly toned studio background. His expression is calm and reflective, with steady eyes gazing slightly off to the side rather than directly into the camera. The pose gives the portrait a thoughtful, almost dignified character, as if the photographer wished to emphasize the subject’s wisdom and age.  What immediately commands attention, however, is the gentleman’s remarkable long white beard, which flows down in a thick, tapering cascade from his chin to the middle of his chest. The beard is full, soft, and carefully groomed, forming a dramatic triangular shape that was often associated with patriarchal or biblical imagery in nineteenth-century portraiture. The rest of his appearance is simple and understated: his hair is neatly combed back from a high forehead, and he wears a dark coat with a plain shirt, allowing the beard to remain the unmistakable focal point of the image. The photographer, M. D. Miller, operated in Tiffin, Ohio, a historic town located in northwestern Ohio. The town sits along the Sandusky River, about 55 miles from Toledo. William D. Miller operated a photography business in Tiffin from 1881 through 1887 and then again from 1897 through 1908. The cabinet card remains in good antique condition overall. The photo has beveled gold edges. The card shows a very slight, barely noticeable curvature consistent with age. The photograph retains strong contrast and excellent clarity, particularly in the detailed texture of the subject’s beard and facial features. The mount shows light age toning and minor surface wear typical of cabinet cards more than a century old. The reverse of the mount is blank and clean. Overall, it presents very nicely (see scans).

This cabinet card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $32.00 or best offer.

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336483177654

This uncommon beautiful early twentieth-century real photo postcard features a softly lit portrait of the actress Daisy Stratton, presented in an elegant studio pose typical of theatrical publicity photography from the Edwardian era. The card was published by Philco (London). The caption beneath the image identifies the series number as “Series 3127 E )”. Stratton is shown reclining gracefully beside a small pedestal draped with flowers. She rests her head lightly against one hand, gazing directly at the viewer with a calm, confident expression. Her face is softly illuminated, highlighting her large dark eyes and composed, slightly enigmatic smile. Her long, wavy hair flows freely over her shoulders and is adorned with a prominent ribbon bow, adding a touch of youthful charm to the portrait. Her costume reflects the delicate fashion of the Edwardian stage portrait. She wears a light, gauzy gown with sheer sleeves and soft folds of fabric that gather across the bodice. The dress appears airy and romantic, complemented by a small pendant necklace that rests at her throat. The arrangement of flowers and the soft studio background contribute to the dreamy, theatrical atmosphere that was so characteristic of early postcard portraits of actresses. The reverse of the undivided back card bears a half-penny King Edward VII postage stamp and a circular postal cancellation with the date 1907. The card contains a handwritten message. While some words are difficult to decipher, the message appears to read approximately: “Lovely weather here now. Don’t think we are going to have anymore bad weather. Such a change for this time of year.” The postcard remains in very good vintage condition overall. The photograph retains strong contrast and clear detail. Corners show minor rounding. The card has been postally used with stamp and cancellation, and the handwritten message adds historical character (see scans).

This vintage postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $12.00

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/23667289337212

This delightful real photo postcard captures a young couple posing proudly in their bathing attire at one of the famous photographic studios that once lined the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk. The reverse identifies the photographer as Whiteley Studio, 2345 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., one of several portrait studios that catered to the steady stream of vacationers visiting the seaside resort in the early twentieth century. In the heyday of Atlantic City’s popularity, the boardwalk was not only lined with hotels, amusements, and saltwater taffy stands—it also hosted numerous photography studios where visitors could memorialize their beach holiday. Tourists would step off the sand, sometimes still in their bathing suits, and sit for a quick portrait to be turned into a postcard they could mail home as proof that they had braved the Atlantic surf. The young couple in this photograph appear to be doing exactly that. The man stands confidently beside the seated woman, wearing a classic early bathing costume consisting of a sleeveless knit swim shirt with horizontal stripes and short bathing trunks secured with a wide belt. His sturdy shoes and socks remind us that beach footwear was considered essential in this era. His expression is calm and self-assured, as if to say that Atlantic City’s chilly surf was no match for him. Beside him sits the young woman, perched carefully on a studio prop meant to suggest a seaside balustrade overlooking the ocean. She wears a modest dark bathing dress typical of the 1910s, along with stockings and lace-up bathing shoes. A bathing cap or head scarf frames her face and drapes over one shoulder. Her expression is more serious, perhaps suggesting that the Atlantic Ocean was considerably colder than advertised in the travel brochures. Together they make a wonderful portrait of early twentieth-century seaside fashion. The backdrop behind them depicts a painted seascape, a common studio device meant to give the impression that the photograph was taken directly on the beach. In reality, they were likely seated inside the studio just steps away from the bustling boardwalk, surrounded by photographers ready to produce souvenir portraits for vacationers. The reverse of the postcard features an AZO stamp box, which is a helpful tool for dating real photo postcards. The style present on this card—with AZO and small triangles in the corners—generally dates to approximately 1904–1918, placing the photograph squarely in the early golden age of Atlantic City tourism. This postcard remains in good vintage condition overall. The photograph retains strong contrast and pleasing sepia tones with clear detail in the subjects’ faces and clothing. The corners show light rounding. The reverse is clean and unused, with light toning typical of postcards over a century old. No creases or significant damage are present (see scans). This is a charming and slightly whimsical Atlantic City boardwalk studio portrait, capturing two beachgoers proudly displaying the bathing fashions of the early 1900s.

This vintage postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $14.85 

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336467216152