This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty performer named May Hart. She is holding an interesting parasol over her shoulder. It certainly won’t keep her dry in the rain. I have had a difficult time finding biographical information about her. Interestingly, there was another actress named May Hart who was a witness to a very historic event in American history. An actress named “May Hart” was performing in “Our American Cousin” the night of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination at Ford Theater. Lincoln was killed in 1865, Forty-four years before this postcard was mailed. Looking at the youthful appearance of Miss May in this photograph, it is clear that she is too young to be the same May Hart.This postcard was published by the Philco Publishing Company which was located in London, England. It is part of a series (no 3435E).The postcard was postmarked in 1909. (SOLD)
Four young couples pose in front of a dusty car that is parked on a dirt driveway. Three of the women stand in front of a man, likely their beaus. The fourth woman is keeping her distance from the fellow who stands behind her. The three men who are standing behind the three women appear to be quite “handy”. One supposes that we are looking at a photograph of a “quadruple date”. The setting may be a Texas ranch. This photograph was found in the Texas Hill Country. Do you think these four couples arrived at this location via the car that is parked behind them? If so, the seating must have been quite crowded. The image was photographed by Foxco in 1946. The company has an interesting history. The Fox Photo Studio was opened by Arthur C. Fox in 1906 in San Antonio, Texas. Fox sold the studio for seven hundred dollars to Carl D. Newton in 1909. Newton was a clever entrepreneur. One of his gimmicks was to offer a free camera to anyone buying three rolls of film and prepaying developing and printing fees. His successor to the business was Carl D Newton II. By the mid 1930’s Fox advertised itself as the world’s largest Kodak finishers. Their processing plant was in operation around the clock. The company expanded and opened facilities in Dallas, Houston, Louisiana and Oklahoma. The company grew and grew and ultimately reached 12,000 dealers nationwide. In 1986, the company was sold to Kodak. Carl D Newton III kept the retail division of the business, calling it Fox Photo. Later, the business changed hands a number of times until it faded into history. This photo was taken somewhere near San Antonio. The photo is printed on paper thinner than stock used for cdvs or cabinet cards. This photograph measures about 3 1/4″ x 2 1/4″ and is in good condition (see scans).
Ain’t she sweet? This adorable little girl and her teddy bear, pose for their portrait at a photo studio in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. The child is enchantingly dressed. Sarajevo later became the capital of Bosnia. This photo postcard measures about 3 1/4″ x 4 3/4″ and is in very good condition (see scans).
This vintage real photo postcard features a young woman driving an early automobile. What makes this postcard rather remarkable is that she is driving the car while her husband sits in the passenger seat. She truly was a woman before her time. She didn’t need a man to drive her around. She appears to have been self sufficient and confident enough to operate a vehicle on her own. The couple’s son is enjoying the car ride by straddling the hood of the automobile as it travels down a bumpy dirt road. I don’t know the model or year of the car but I can appreciate some of its features. Note the funky headlights, windshield and the starting crank on the front grill. This postcard was produced by AZO sometime between 1904 and 1918. Addendum: A knowledgeable and helpful cabinet card gallery visitor has informed me that this automobile is a 1910 or a 1911 Maxwell. (SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features Hungarian actress Gitta Alpar (1903-1991). She starred in operas and operettas. This photograph is risque relative to the time it was taken. Miss Alpar is wearing a tight bathing suit. Note that the swim suit has a nice design on it’s front. She is posing in front of a large rattan chair. Gitta was born in Budapest, Hungary. She was the daughter of a Jewish cantor. From an early age, she studied singing and piano at the Academy of Music. In 1923, she made her debut at the Budapest State Opera House. She had a long career and she performed at the great opera houses of Vienna, Berlin, an many other international venues. Alpar’s first films were made in Germany. In 1931 she married an actor, Gustav Frohlich. Their marriage ended in 1935 because Alpar was Jewish and the marriage was against the law in Nazi Germany. A related fact is that both of her brothers, a pianist, and a violinist, were concentration camp survivors. Alpar appeared on Hitler’s anti semitic “hit list”. She left Germany in 1933, and then did some globe hopping. She first went to Austria, followed by Hungry, England, and the United States. She continued her singing and film career in the US. The IMDb credits Alpar with nine acting credits from 1932 through 1941. Alpar’s accent ruined her chance to be a successful Hollywood actress. After the war, she primarily worked as a singing teacher. For a sample of Miss Alpar’s singing voice and acting, click on the YouTube segment below. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag and is part of a series (no.6683/2). Alpar’s photo was taken by FFG (Froehlich-Flm GmbH). (SOLD)
