RISQUE PORTRAIT OF FILM STAR INEZ VAN BREE (PHOTO BY ESTEEMED PHOTOGRAPHER: ERNST SCHNEIDER)

This vintage real photo postcard is one of the more risque Ross Verlag postcards in the Cabinet Card Gallery. The postcard is of German origin and is part of a series (no. 1581/1). It was published between 1927 and 1928. Preliminary research found little information about Inez Van Bree. A defunct University of Toronto website labels Miss Bree as a silent movie siren/star. The photographer of this portrait appears to be Ernst Schneider and the photograph was taken in Berlin, Germany. Research about Mr Schneider yielded a great deal of information. He was considered to be one of the most celebrated studio photographers in Berlin during three decades (1900’s, 1910’s, 1920’s. He photographed many celebrities from the world of theater, opera, circuses, and film. He was also one of the most prominent fashion photographers in Berlin. In addition, he was well known for his nude photography and he published books showcasing his work in this domain. Sometime around 1908 Schneider began working with postcard publishers “Rotophot” and “Neue Photographische Gesellschaft” (NPG). In 1919 he began working with Ross Verlag.   SOLD

 

 

 

 

Published in: on January 13, 2018 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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EXTRAORDINARY PORTRAIT OF A LITTLE GIRL IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA (PHOTO BY FAMED PHOTOGRAPHER: J. B. MONACO)

This is one of those special type of photographs that collectors come across on an infrequent basis. The young girl in this portrait is pretty, beautifully dressed, and charming. She is wearing a lace trimmed coat over a lace trimmed dress and is wearing an adorable wide brimmed hat. The 5″ x 7″ image was photographed by the Monaco Studio at 205 Montgomery Avenue in San Francisco, California. J.B. Monaco (1856-1938) was a noted photographer in San Francisco. In fact, a collection of his photographs can be found at the San Francisco History Center at the San Francisco Public Library. In 1875 Monaco arrived in the United States as an immigrant from Switzerland. His name was originally Giovanni Battista. He joined his brother in Eureka, Nevada. Louis Monaco operated a photo studio there and J.B. joined him in the business, thus launching a career as a photographer that would span 62 years. In 1887 J. B. moved to San Francisco where he was soon joined by his brother who died in 1897. During J. B.’s career, he distinguished himself with his earthquake and fire photographs. These images have been described as  dramatic and journalistic. He documented much of early Nevada and Northern California history. His portraiture work of prominent San Francisco individuals and their families is considered to be exceptional. During his career, Monaco was described as the “Dean of North Beach photographers”. A photograph of Monaco’s photo studio, as well as a portrait of J. B. Monaco, can be seen below.   (SOLD)

Monaco’s Studio  (photo by JB Monaco)

                                                                                                                                          J. B. Monaco

Published in: on January 12, 2018 at 12:00 pm  Comments (5)  
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PORTRAIT OF THREE BROTHERS AND A SISTER IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

This cabinet card photograph features four siblings. The foursome include three brothers and one sister. The children are identified by first name via an inscription on the reverse of the photo. The boys are Emil, Carl, and Niels. I am unable to decipher the sister’s name though it is clear that she was born in 1890. The image comes from the studio of Budtz Muller & Company which was located in Copenhagen, Denmark. Bertel Christian Budtz Muller (1837-1884) was a Danish photographer. Muller began his career as a pharmacist before he became a popular photographer in Copenhagen. In 1884, Muller’s studio was taken over by Ludvig Offenberg. Despite the change of ownership, Offenberg did not change the name of the studio. It is interesting to note that Muller’s will included a provision to set up a fund to support needy photographers. It is also of note that Muller is also known for his portrait of writer, Hans Christian Andersen.   SOLD

Published in: on January 10, 2018 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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PORTRAIT OF A BABY SITTING IN THE “TESLA” OF ALL BABY CARRIAGES

This cabinet card portrait features a baby sitting in a baby carriage. The carriage is a deluxe baby transporter. The vehicle looks well built and sits high off the ground. The carriage is accessorized with a large umbrella to protect the child from the sun or rain. The photographer of this image is Charles W. Rouse. He operated a photography studio in Jersey City, New Jersey. A list of early New Jersey photographers reveal that Charles Rouse operated out of at least six addresses in Jersey City during his career. In addition, at one point he ran a studio in Belmar, New Jersey. He conducted business at the address listed on this photograph (442 Palisade Avenue) between 1888 and 1894.  (SOLD)

Published in: on January 9, 2018 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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PORTRAIT OF A ROWBOAT ROMANCE

This vintage real photo postcard features a couple in a rowboat. This romantic rowboat cruise is likely taking place in the photographer’s studio. Interestingly, the young lady is looking at the photographer while the the rowboat captain is staring at his pretty first mate. The “Cyko” stamp box on this postcard indicates that it was published sometime between 1904 and 1920.

Published in: on January 8, 2018 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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HANDSOME YOUNG MAN WITH A FLASHY BOW TIE

 

flashy bow tie

flashy bow tie 1

A well dressed and handsome young man wearing a flashy bow tie poses for his portrait at an unidentified photography studio. The gentleman has a neat mustache and thick dark curly hair. Note that his wild patterned bow tie looks like a colorful butterfly.

Published in: on January 7, 2018 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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GORGEOUS WOMAN HOLDS VASE ATOP HER HEAD (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)

This vintage real photo postcard features a portrait of a most gorgeous woman posing with a vase atop her head. The woman is absolutely beautiful and her eyes are amazingly seductive. She is dressed in a tight gown and exposing a small amount of her ankle. The postcard was produced by the German company G. Gerlach.   (SOLD)

Published in: on January 6, 2018 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN AND HER TINY CHIHUAHUA IN GERA, GERMANY

A middle aged woman poses for her portrait at the studio of Gustav Fuchs in Gera, Germany. On the table next to the woman sits her cute little chihuahua wearing a harness and what looks like a dog tag. This dog is not only a miniature, but it is a miniature miniature. The woman appears to be holding back a smile. Note her pocket watch, or locket, which is hanging on a chain and resting on her midriff. The discoloration on the reverse of the photograph likely derives from the photo sitting in a frame for many decades.

SOLD

Published in: on January 4, 2018 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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DEANNA DURBIN: POPULAR, BEAUTIFUL, AND TALENTED FILM STAR WHO WANTED TO BE ANONYMOUS

This vintage real photo postcard features Canadian born American singer and actress, Deanna Durbin (1921-2013). She is beautifully dressed. Her hat is a nice touch. Deanna Durbin looks quite pretty in this photo portrait. The postcard notes her affiliation with Universal Films. The postcard was published by Echte Foto, a Dutch company. Miss Durbin was an active performer between 1936 and 1948. She appeared in musical films and had the technical skill and vocal range of a legitimate soprano. She sang multiple styles of music including popular standards and operatic arias. Durbin’s first film  appearance was with Judy Garland in MGM’s “Every Sunday” (1936). A YouTube clip of the two young actresses performing a duet from this film can be seen below. Shortly after her debut movie, she was given a contract by Universal Studios. She had great success with the studio playing “the ideal teenage daughter” is such films as “Three Smart Girls” (1936).  She was only 14 years old when she appeared in “Three Smart Girls” and became an established star. Afterward, she had a string of successful musical films. In 1936, Deanna was offered an audition for the Metropolitan Opera but she rejected the offer because she believed she needed more operatic training. From 1936 through 1938, Durbin did a radio collaboration with Eddie Cantor. In 1938, Durbin was awarded an Academy Juvenile Award. Her co-winner was actor Micky Rooney.Durbin tired of her girl-next-door roles and by 1945, had appeared in a couple of films in more sophisticated roles. Unfortunately, she was not well received in these more mature roles. In 1946, Durbin was the second highest paid woman in the United States, second to Bette Davis. Durbin became the highest paid female in America in the year 1948. By 1949, she retired from acting and singing and never returned to public life. In fact, she never again agreed to be interviewed by the press, with just one exception. Durbin hated the adulation she received in her career and yearned for a “life of nobody”. She wanted to be anonymous. During her acting career, Durbin appeared in 23 films and even more sound recordings. Durbin had three marriages. Her husbands were assistant director Vaughn Paul (1941), writer-producer-actor Felix Jackson (1945) , and film producer-director Charles Henri David (1950).  (SOLD)

                                                Judy Garland & Deanna Durbin – Americana (Every Sunday, 1936)

Published in: on January 3, 2018 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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THE LITTLE BOY AND THE SEA (RUSSIAN VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH)

This vintage real postcard is unique and adorable. A little boy is at the helm of a miniature sailing ship, not far from shore. Beach goers and large boats can be seen in the background. The toy ship commanded by this child is amazingly realistic down to the tiniest details. A logo below the photo states “Anana Kypopm” (the photographer?) and is dated 1964. The photographer’s logo displays a light house and a sailboat which indicates that the photo studio shooting this photograph was likely located in a beach resort town. The photo measures about 5 1/2″ x 3 1/2″.

Published in: on January 2, 2018 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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