THE CABINET CARD GALLERY

This striking uncommon Edwardian real photo postcard captures the celebrated Dare sisters, Phyllis Dare and Zena Dare, posed in an elegant and carefully composed studio portrait. The sisters are dressed in refined high-waisted gowns with delicate embroidered detailing, lacework, and flowing fabrics that reflect the fashionable transitional style of the period just before the First World War. Their voluminous coiffed hairstyles, softly framing their faces in broad waves, immediately evoke the sophistication and romantic femininity associated with the Edwardian stage. The composition presents an appealing contrast between the two sisters, with one standing gracefully behind a carved chair while the other sits in a relaxed but poised manner, creating a natural sense of intimacy and companionship. The seated sister lightly holds a very small  Chihuahua-like dog. I is possible that the dog may be a figurine. That is for you to determine. Both women gaze directly toward the camera with calm, confident expressions, conveying the composed self-assurance expected of leading theatrical personalities of their era. The softly diffused lighting and muted background lend the image a dreamy, almost painterly quality, allowing the intricate textures of the gowns and the sisters’ expressive faces to become the visual focus. The Dare sisters were among the best-known stage performers of the Edwardian musical comedy era in England. Born into a theatrical family, the sisters rose to fame while still quite young and became closely associated with the glittering world of London’s West End theatre during the early 1900s. Zena, the elder sister, achieved considerable success first and was admired for her beauty, elegance, and accomplished performances in musical comedies produced by impresarios such as George Edwardes. Phyllis followed in her sister’s footsteps and quickly became an even greater sensation, charming audiences with her youthful energy, lively personality, and fashionable stage presence. Both women frequently appeared in lavish productions that blended comedy, music, and elaborate costumes, helping define the theatrical style of the Edwardian period. Their fame extended well beyond the stage, and their portraits appeared widely on postcards, in magazines, and in theatrical advertising, making them recognizable celebrities of their day. Offstage, the sisters were often written about in the popular press, where their glamour and social lives attracted public fascination. Although tastes in entertainment changed after the First World War, both Zena and Phyllis Dare remain remembered as iconic figures of Britain’s golden age of musical theatre. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo (no.11591D). The sisters photo was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio (UK). Interestingly, the writer of this postcard states in her message “Hope Photo will be a success”. This illustrates the attraction people had to these theatrical photo postcards. This postcard was postmarked in 1909. The card is in overall good condition for its age. The card has some surface, corner and edge wear. The photograph has good contrast and clarity. (See Scans).

This vintage Postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $18.00 at auction

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236815338989

This vintage real photo postcard captures Amélie Diéterle (1871-1941), a luminary of the Belle Époque, in a pose that epitomizes the era’s blend of elegance and daring. Photographed by the esteemed Parisian studio Reutlinger and published by the Société Industrielle de Photographie (S.I.P.), the image showcases Diéterle in attire that was considered provocative for the time. Her ensemble, possibly a stage costume, features delicate fabrics and ornate embellishments that accentuate her figure, reflecting the period’s fascination with theatrical glamour and sensuality. Diéterle’s expression is both confident and inviting, with a subtle smile and eyes that engage the viewer, conveying the charm that made her a favorite among audiences and artists alike. Her coiffed hair and poised demeanor further emphasize her status as a fashion and cultural icon of early 20th-century France. Born in Strasbourg, France, Amélie Diéterle rose to prominence as an actress and singer, becoming a central figure in Parisian theater. Her performances at the Théâtre des Variétés and collaborations with notable composers and playwrights solidified her reputation. Beyond the stage, she inspired renowned artists such as Auguste Renoir and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who immortalized her in their works. Diéterle’s influence extended into the realm of early cinema, with appearances in several silent films during the 1900s and 1910s. SOLD

This vintage real photo postcard features a birds-eye view of Otisville, New York. The quaint small town is located in Orange County. The photograph on this postcard was taken by Still. The card has a 1909 postmark from Otisville.  SOLD

This is a striking early real photo postcard portrait captioned “Halloway Sisters,” showing three young women posed closely together in theatrical fashion, very likely a sister act or stage trio from the Edwardian/music-hall era. The women wear pale, gauzy stage dresses with matching headbands and oversized floral ornaments, giving the image the look of a publicity portrait for singers, dancers, or light theatrical performers. Their carefully arranged hair, soft-focus studio lighting, and coordinated costumes all point toward a professional entertainment postcard rather than an ordinary family portrait. A fairly broad search for the Halloway Sisters was not able to firmly identify this exact trio. The reverse bears a green Netherlands 2½ cent stamp. The circular postal cancellation is from The Hague, and the date is 1913. In regard to the condition, the image side has good contrast and strong theatrical presence, with visible age wear including corner and edge wear and a noticeable diagonal crease near the upper left area by the printed caption. There is also some light spotting and wear in the image, particularly toward the right side and along the borders. The reverse shows normal postal handling and ink cancellations. Overall, it remains a very displayable and collectible early theatrical postcard (See Scans).

This vintage Postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $9.95 or best offer

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236818880579

This antique carte de visite photograph presents a finely composed Victorian-era portrait of a seated woman photographed by Hansen & Weller of Copenhagen, Denmark. The portrait shows a thoughtful, well-dressed woman seated in a studio setting, holding what appears to be a folded letter or packet of papers in her hands. She wears a dark fitted dress with a light collar and cuffs, a brooch or decorative fastening at the throat, and her hair is neatly arranged in the restrained style of the period. Her expression is serious and composed, with the quiet formality often seen in nineteenth-century portrait photography. One of the photographers of this cdv portrait is George Emil Hansen (1833-1891). He was a pioneer Danish photographer. His father and brother were also photographers. He won photography awards in London (1862) and Berlin (1865). Hansen was the photographer of the Danish Royal Family. His photographic work spanned from 1856 through 1891. The card likely dates from the 1870s or 1880s, based on the CDV format, the typography, the woman’s dress, and the style of the studio mount and backmark. This CDV shows age-appropriate wear. The mount has light edge and corner wear. The photographic image has surface marks visible near the upper right of the image area. The reverse is clean overall with a very nice decorative studio imprint. Overall, this is a pleasing Danish CDV with strong visual character and an attractive Copenhagen photographer’s backmark (see scans).

This carte de visite portrait is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $16.00 or best offer

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336585262595

This is a lovely antique lithographic theatrical postcard picturing Miss Florence Warde, a British stage performer associated with the musical comedy and pantomime stage of the Edwardian era.  Among her roles, were appearances in “Spring Chicken” at the Gaiety Theatre in 1905 and “Sinbad” at Drury Lane in 1906. The card was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons as part of Tuck’s “Celebrities of the Stage” series. The front presents Warde in a beautifully hand-colored or color-tinted theatrical portrait, wearing an elaborate pink costume with a large feathered headpiece, curled hair, and a dramatic upward gaze. The image has soft lighting, theatrical glamour, and a carefully posed expression meant to suggest both beauty and stage presence. The publisher’s information on the reverse identifies this as part of the “Glossō” Postcard Series 5756. The “Glossō” series cards were known for their glossy finish and their attractive color work. The card was postally used in Great Britain, with a green King Edward VII halfpenny stamp and a clear Leicester postmark dated 1907. SOLD

This is a fascinating and uncommon early real photo postcard depicting a 
women’s field hockey team, posed formally with their sticks and ball in what appears to be a school or club setting. The group consists of eleven young women arranged in two rows, dressed in coordinated athletic attire typical of the Edwardian period—long dark skirts paired with light blouses and ties, reflecting both modesty and the emerging presence of women in organized sport. Each player holds a field hockey stick, with several crossed in front for a carefully composed team portrait. A single ball rests prominently at the feet of the front row, reinforcing the athletic identity of the group. The players’ hairstyles—loosely pinned up with volume at the crown—are consistent with the circa 1905–1910 period, and their expressions range from serious to quietly confident, offering a compelling glimpse into early women’s athletics. The reverse of the card is postmarked 
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND, FEBRUARY 7, 1907.  It bears a green one-penny stamp of 
King Edward VII.  The card features a divided back. The postcard is in 
good antique condition with some age-related wear. The image remains clear with strong detail, though there is visible edge wear, corner rounding, and some surface discoloration and spotting, particularly along the borders.  The reverse shows expected toning, a clear postmark, and legible handwriting. Overall, this is a well-preserved and  displayable example of a women’s field hockey team and early women’s sports (see scans).

This vintage Postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $28.00 

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336507878222

A wonderfully expressive vintage real photo postcard featuring a young girl seated in a studio portrait, captured with remarkable intimacy and character. The child sits upright on a simple wooden chair, gazing directly at the camera with large, searching eyes and a slightly solemn, almost questioning expression that gives the image unusual emotional depth. She is dressed in a charming early 20th-century outfit: a light blouse with striped trim at the collar and sleeves, paired with a pinafore-style dress secured with wide shoulder straps and large decorative buttons down the front. Her clothing has a practical yet stylish look typical of the period. On her head she wears a soft, wide-brimmed hat with bold striped edging, which frames her face beautifully and adds a playful, fashionable touch.In her hand, she appears to be holding a small fan or possibly a toy paddle, with a flat, rounded surface and a short handle. Given its shape and decorative quality, it most closely resembles a child’s hand fan, though it could also be a novelty or toy accessory used by the photographer to help keep the child engaged during the sitting. The photograph measures approximately 3.5 by 5.25 inches, consistent with real photo postcards of the era. Based on the clothing, hairstyle, and photographic style, this image likely dates to around 1910–1920. The postcard is in overall good condition with strong visual appeal. The image retains nice contrast and clarity, though there is moderate age toning. The corners exhibit noticeable rounding and wear. The reverse shows heavier toning, spotting, and adhesive residue from it’s former days residing in a postcard album. Despite this, the photograph remains fully intact and displays well (see scans).

This vintage Postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for  $16.00 at auction

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236794379904

This terrific early New York City postcard captures Hester Street on the Lower East Side during its bustling immigrant-era heyday. Published by The American News Company (No. 139)—one of the major postcard publishers of the early 20th century—this 1906 street scene shows an extraordinarily lively and detailed view of life in one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in America at the time. The image portrays Hester Street crowded with vendors, pushcarts overflowing with produce, women in long skirts shopping along the muddy street, and merchants working under the characteristic canvas awnings hung from the tenement storefronts. Laundry hangs from iron fire escapes, children play in the street, and a man hoses down the roadway in an attempt to control dust and refuse. This postcard is a rich visual record of the Jewish immigrant community that transformed the Lower East Side in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The urban density, the clothing, the signage, and the architecture all reflect the conditions described in reform literature and immigrant memoirs of the era. The card is postmarked New York, 1906, and was mailed to Osiek, Slavonija, then part of Austro-Hungary. The handwriting on the front and back suggests that the writer was likely a Slavic-speaking immigrant sharing news and thanks with family overseas—a compelling historical link between the immigrant sending the card and the old world receiving it.The message is written in a South Slavic language (likely Croatian or Serbian written in Latin script). Handwriting is challenging, but the meaning is clear. The translated message is “Your card arrived. Thank you for the congratulations. I am healthy and wish you all the best”. SOLD