Postcard collectors sometimes encounter photo postcards that heighten curiosity but defy explanation. This vintage real photo postcard is a perfect example of such a card. The image is comprised of five pretty young women wearing unusual hats. Perhaps I should say “bizarre” rather than “unusual”. I believe their hats are made of paper, although they are designed to look like feathers. Two of the hats have a design that includes a crescent moon. If I was asked to judge this photo, I would give the “Creativity Award” to the woman wearing paper earrings. Why are the women wearing these hats. Perhaps they are performers in a show? Another theory is that they may be dressed for a party or for a carnival. What’s your guess? The studio that took this photograph was named “La Photo Mecanique” (The Mechanical Photo). I believe, with great uncertainty, that the studio was located in St. Martin, France. It is also my belief that this postcard was published between 1913 and 1929, given that it has a Crown Studio stamp box. (SOLD)
This vintage snapshot features a little girl at the beach with her baby brother or sister. The little girl is wearing a sailor type dress and a sun hat. She is wearing a nice smile as she looks straight ahead at the photographer. The infant is sleeping on a folded blanket or mat, and is using the original version of sun block, an umbrella. The photograph measures about 4 1/8″ x 3 1/8″. (SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features a buxom young woman seated at a table. A couple of books are atop the table. Note the woman’s high collar blouse. By appearance, she seems a bit uncomfortable being photographed. This postcard is in good condition (see scans).
This ethnographic cabinet card features an Algerian man from Bone, Algeria. He is dressed in his culture’s traditional clothing. The preceding demographics are derived from the fact that this photograph was in a collection of images from Bone. The city of Bone is now known as Annaba. It is a port town on the Mediterranean, in northeastern Algeria. It is close to the Tunisian border. Bone was known for its mining. Iron ore was a major export. The city was named Bone while it was under French rule. Algeria received it’s independence in 1962. The man in this photograph has a wonderful smile. I wish I knew more about him. The photographer of this cabinet card is not identified. (SOLD)
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Postcard 2 (Close=up)
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This vintage photograph features two young ladies in an affectionate pose. They appear to be teenagers and they are likely, sisters. This photograph was taken in Greece. The studio was located in Kokkinia, a suburb of Athens. After 1940, Kokkinia became known as Nikaia so it is likely that this photo was taken before 1940. The image measures about 2 1/4″ x 3 1/4″ and is in excellent condition. (see scans)
This vintage real photo postcard features stage and film actress Lucy Jousset (1884-1914). She is beautifully dressed. Note her beaded necklace and large hat. She also has a feathered wrap partially around her shoulders. Jousset’s IMDb filmography includes three films, all produced in 1914. Unfortunately, she lived a short life, dying at the young age of thirty years old. The cause of her death and additional biographical details were not determined in my preliminary research. Miss Jousset’s portrait was taken by celebrated theatrical photographer, Leopold Reutlinger of Paris, France. This postcard was published by Societe Industrielle de Photograpie (SIP) of Rueil, France, as part of a series (no 14-65). The postcard is postmarked in Arlon, Belgium (1907.) The postcard is in very good condition (see scans). 
This vintage real photo postcard features a gentleman making a fashion statement. Note those knickers. This man is wearing fancy clothing but he is definitely sporting a casual, disheveled look. He is wearing a winged high collar dress shirt. A tie tac holds his necktie in place. This portrait postcard is of European origin and is in excellent condition.
This vintage real photo postcard features four precious young boys playing soldier. They are posed in a formation which makes one think that a Sergeant just yelled to them, “Present Arms”. SOLD
