TWO PRETTY, FASHIONABLE, AND VERY SWEET TEENAGE SISTERS IN NEW YORK CITY

This cabinet card portrait features two pretty young women with great fashion sense. They are beautifully dressed and both are wearing “pearl” necklaces and earrings. These girls are likely in their teenage years and probably are sisters. The young women are both smiling and projecting an innocent and wonderful sweetness. The photographer of this wonderful image was talented and well known in New York City. Edward Cary Dana (1853-1897) was born in Boston, Massachusetts, developed an interest in photography, and moved to Brooklyn, where he opened a studio. In time he had a great reputation as a skilled photographer and had established three galleries in New York City. He died at age 44 of kidney problems and left a widow, Miss Ada Sherman, of Staten Island, New York. To view other photographs by Mr. Dana, click on the category “Photographer: Dana”.

Published in: on December 27, 2017 at 12:00 pm  Comments (4)  
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PRETTY NUDE MODEL WITH INVITING GAZE POSES FOR PORTRAIT (P C PARIS 1920’S)

I am hoping that Cabinet Card Gallery visitors are not offended by this tastefully done vintage nude real photo postcard. Postcards of nudes were a popular collectors item during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. They were considered to be artistic and not pornographic, although most photographers and nude models did not allow their names to be printed on the postcards. In addition, some retail outlets (Photo Galleries) for these nude postcards kept them under the counter. Clearly, many of those involved with creating and selling these postcards, had fears of being prosecuted. Buyers of these postcards did not mail them. They were strictly collectibles. There is some disagreement about the women who posed for these photographs. Originally, many believed that the women were either local prostitutes, artist models, or actresses. However, there is a growing belief that most of the models were working women who modeled to supplement their income. This particular nude postcard was published by a French firm known as “P.C. from Paris. The P. C. logo is an abbreviation for Papeteries de Levallois-Clichy. The firm published a variety of real photo postcard topics including portraits of women, nudes, views, and holiday cards. The company was active in the 1920’s. The lovely model seen in this postcard was a popular one. She modeled for many of the firm’s nude postcards. This postcard is part of a series (#1887). She appears to be of Spanish origin and is casting an inviting gaze. She is wearing a “piano shawl”. Normally these shawls are used to decorate the top surface of a grand piano.  Piano shawls were also used as an accessory in women’s fashion.   SOLD

Published in: on December 26, 2017 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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YOUNG MOM READS HER CHILD A BOOK IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

This vintage photograph features a young mother reading a book to her child. The youngster is sitting on her lap and holding the book. A second book lies on the chair, in reserve, behind the mother.  The photograph was taken by the Koehne & Bretzman studio in Chicago, Illinois. William L. Koehne  (1869-1965) was a prominent portrait photographer in the windy city. One source reports that he was a photographer for the Chicago Tribune. Charles F. Bretzman was born in Germany in 1866 and emigrated to the United States at age 19. He settled in New York and found a photo studio job. He came to Chicago in 1894 and worked there six years until he moved to Indianapolis where he opened his own studio and worked as a staff photographer for three newspapers. Bretzman appears in the Indianapolis, Indiana city directory as a photographer in 1902. In 1911 he was at the first Indianapolis 500 auto race shooting the action. He was the first official photographer for the Indy.  The Indiana Historical Society displays some of his racing photographs online. His son, Charles Noble Bretzman joined him in the business in around 1925. Charles Bretzman’s portrait can be seen below.   (SOLD)

Published in: on December 16, 2017 at 3:39 pm  Comments (1)  
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TWO PORTRAITS OF GERMAN ACTRESS LISSI ARNA (ONE IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHED BY THE CELEBRATED MANASSE STUDIO)

Postcard 1  (SOLD)

                                                     POSTCARD 1   (SOLD)

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Postcard 2

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These vintage real photo postcards feature German actress Lissi Arna (1900-1964). She is known for the films “Harbor Drift” (1929, The Squeeker (1931), and Under the Lantern (1928). She appeared in German silent films and entered US films in 1930. She was an exotic femme fatale in German silents She was married to a doctor in 1939 and the couple lived in Venezuela until his death. She appeared in Hollywood in German language versions of American films. She was in the US for only one year and failed to get significant offers from any of the major studios. In the sound era she gradually lost her popularity and was confined to supporting roles through the 1930’s. The IMDb credits her with 62 films between 1915 and 1962. View the YouTube video below to see Lissi Arne appearing in “Under the Lantern” (1928).The first postcard was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (no. 4199/2). Miss Arna’s portrait was taken by the Manasse studio which was located in Vienna, Austria. There also was a branch of the studio in Berlin. The Manasse studio was in existence between about 1922 and 1938. The studio was run by Olga Solarics (1896-1969) and her husband Adorja’n von Wlassics (1893-1946). Olga was known for her interest in photographing nudes. The studio flourished in Vienna during the 1930’s. Many of the portraits taken by the studio had an erotic flavor. The studio attracted some of the leading ladies of film and theater. The studio was also involved in producing photographs for advertising. This husband and wife team of photographers were very talented and very successful in their profession.

The second portrait postcard features a somewhat risque photograph of Miss Arna. The photograph reveals her bare back and shoulders as well as as a bare view above her breast. She is flashing a sly smile and smoking a cigarette at the end of a cigarette holder. The photo was taken by German photographer Kiesel in Berlin, Germany. The second postcard (no. 3091/1) is part of the same series as the first postcard. This postcard is published by Ross Verlag (Berlin, Germany).

Postcard 1

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Postcard 2

Published in: on December 15, 2017 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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PORTRAIT OF AN ADORABLE AND BEAUTIFULLY DRESSED LITTLE BOY IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY

This vintage photograph features an adorable little boy. He is very fashionable and is wearing a terrific Panama hat. His expression is priceless. This photo was taken in Istanbul, Turkey in 1949. I can not identify the language written on the reverse of the photograph. The official language of Turkey is Turkish but there are many other ethnic groups living in the nation. Other prevalent languages include Arabic and Zazaki.  This photograph measures about 5″ x 3 1/14″.      (SOLD)

Published in: on December 14, 2017 at 3:02 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF A WEALTHY FAMILY: MOM IS QUITE BEJEWELED

This family portrait was taken at an unidentified studio. The family members are very well dressed and appear to be well-to-do. The mother in this photograph is very pretty. She is also quite bejeweled. Note her two necklaces (one with a locket), her collar pin, her watch (pinned to her dress), and her four rings. The little girl in this image is adorable. Be sure to notice her hair treatment. Are those wide ribbons in her hair? The child is wearing an interesting dress that resembles a Queen’s robe.  She is also wearing two bracelets, a necklace with a locket, and at least two rings. Perhaps the gentleman in this photograph is a jeweler. Lets hope so, for the sake of his finances.   (SOLD)

Published in: on December 13, 2017 at 8:26 pm  Comments (3)  
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PRETTY STAGE ACTRESS: MISS DOROTHY CHARD (TWO REAL PHOTO POSTCARDS)

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POSTCARD 1  (SOLD)

 

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POSTCARD 2    (SOLD)

This vintage real photo postcard features Edwardian theater actress Miss Dorothy Chard. Preliminary research yielded little information about her life and her career. More intensive research is required to uncover biographical information. The Internet Broadway Data Base (IBDB) notes that Miss Chard appeared in eleven Broadway shows from 1926 through 1930. She played in musicals but she primarily appeared in comedies. Among her credits are “Merry-Go-Round” (1927) and “Cinderelative” (1930). The dearth of information about Miss Chard reveals that she certainly was not a leading actress of her time but she certainly was beautiful and well known enough to merit the publishing of a photo postcard by the Rotary Postcard company. This postcard was part of the Rotary Photographic series (no. 4353 A). The photograph of Dorothy Chard appearing on this postcard was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield Studio.The pair were well known celebrity photographers. Frank Foulsham and A. C. Banfield operated a studio from the 1900’s through the 1920’s. The postcard is postmarked 1909 from Edinburg, Scotland. Edinburg is Scotland’s capital city. The content of the message on this postcard mentions “fresh cards” referring to newly released photo postcards. Collecting such cards was a popular hobby during this era. I guess this hobby was a precursor to collecting pokemon. I prefer collecting photo portraits. Call me “old school”.      (SOLD)                                               

       The second vintage postcard features a portrait of Dorothy Chard from the same series as the top postcard. This Rotary postcard (no. 4353 K) presents a more complete view of the actress. Miss Chard was dressed in different clothing and accessories for the two portraits. She looks very friendly in card 1 but has an arrogant expression in card 2. The message on the reverse of this postcard states “Dearest Lil, Have you been feeling well today. I have. M. has not spoken to me yet. Wish I was going to see you tonight. –?– on saturday night. Have you had your chocolates? Hope you will like the P-C (postcard). I think it is very good. With fondest love. I remain yours forever.  (JM?)  My- Word -” It is interesting that the writers of postcard 1 and 2 both mention the photo postcard that they are sending. It would be interesting to know what “My-Word-” means. Does it mean “I will remain yours forever, you have my word”. Hopefully, a Cabinet Card Gallery visitor will be able to offer an explanation,  (SOLD)

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POSTCARD 1

 

chard 1 1

POSTCARD 2   (SOLD)

Published in: on December 11, 2017 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN AND HER PIPE SMOKING DOG

This unusual cabinet card portrait features a pretty young woman and her pipe smoking dog. The young lady is flashing a terrific smile which is highly unusual during the cabinet card era. It is very understandable that she is smiling as she poses for this humorous photograph. It is my guess that the woman is a teenager. She is wearing a very busy dress and a wide-brimmed straw hat. Her canine friend is wearing a wide collar and seems to be begging for the girl’s attention. One wonders if this is a photograph of a professional dog trainer who performs in carnivals, or if this image is a reflection of a creative subject or photographer. The identity of the subject and the photographer are unknown. The dog appears to be a Boston Terrier.    (SOLD)

Published in: on December 10, 2017 at 12:32 pm  Comments (2)  
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PORTRAIT OF COLONIAL VIETNAMESE SOLDIERS: THE “TONKINESE RIFLES” (1905)

This vintage real photo postcard presents us with a glimpse of history in southeast Asia during colonial times. The postcard features a group of soldiers; three are Vietnmese and one is French. The caption under the photograph describes the group of soldiers as a  “Groupe de Tirailleurs Tonkinois”. The Tirailleurs were soldiers comprising several regiments of local ethnic indochinese infantry organized by the French colonial authorities.The Tirailleurs were originally established in Vietnam in 1880. The regiment members in this photograph came from the noted “Tonkinese Rifles”. Initially these regiments were known to have problems with a high rate of desertion. Eventually, with French marine officers, the Vietnamese force became effective. They were positioned to occupy France’s indochinese possessions, These troops also served in Indochina, China (Boxer Rebellion), Russia (1918-1919), Syria (1920-1921), and Morroco (1925-1926). They also participated in World War I. In 1945, some regiments rebelled against the occupation of Vietnam by Japan. Despite a fierce resistance, the Tirailleurs were nearly annihilated. The illustration below shows a soldier from a regiment (Annamite Tirailleur) that fought alongside the “Tonkinese Rifles”. This postcard was published by R. Moreau (Hanoi) and is part of a series (no. 1138). The postcard was postmarked at Ninh Binh in 1905 and has a French stamp. Ninh Bình is a province in North Vietnam’s Red River Delta.  SOLD

                   Illustration of a Tirrailleur (Wikiepedia)                                                                 

     

            

 

 

 

Published in: on December 9, 2017 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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HAND TINTED REAL PHOTO POSTCARD PORTRAIT OF A PRETTY YOUNG GIRL

This real photo postcard portrait features a pretty long haired young girl wearing a fancy colorful hat. The hat is trimmed with pink ribbon. The postcard is an Oranotypie. An Oranotypie is a trade name for a type of glossy real photo postcard published by NPG at the beginning of the 20th century. NPG was a German publisher located in Berlin and Stuttgart, Germany. A. G. Steglitz, is also noted as the publisher and the photo was produced in 1904. The postcard was written in 1908 and has a postmark from Villar-les-Dombes, France.  (SOLD).

Published in: on December 7, 2017 at 3:05 pm  Leave a Comment  
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