PRETTY BLONDE WOMAN ON A MOTORCYCLE BEING “HIT ON” BY HER LUSTFUL RIDING INSTRUCTOR

french officer This vintage real photo postcard captures the scene of a man sharing an intimate moment with a pretty blonde woman sitting on a motor scooter. The photographer appears to have caught the man in a lustful moment. I doubt the man is giving tips about motorcycle care and maintenance. I find it unusual that the woman would be riding a motorcycle while wearing  a long dress. Finding information to identify the manufacturer of this motorcycle was difficult. I discovered that a company named “Tomos” manufactured a bike whose name included the word “Galeb”. Note that a nameplate on the front of the bike says “Galeb”. Tomos manufactured motorcycles from their factory based in Koper, Slovenia. They still provide various products to their Eastern European market. The language printed on this postcard is from Slovenia. It appears that the photographer was Z. Mirkovic and the publisher was ZK. The postcard is part of a series (no. 2881). This photo postcard measures about 5 5/8″ x 4″ and is in very good condition (see scans).

french officer 3

Published in: on June 5, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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TWELVE BRITISH POLICEMEN & A CAT : UNIFORMED WITH HELMETS : RPPC c1905

This striking antique real photo postcard captures a formal group portrait of twelve British police officers, likely taken in the early 1900s during the Edwardian era. Dressed in full uniform, the men are arranged in two neat rows, seven standing in back and five seated in front—outside what appears to be a stone police station or municipal building. Their uniforms are traditional for the period, featuring double-breasted tunics with shiny metal buttons, high collars marked with identification numbers, and the iconic custodian helmets adorned with royal insignias. Adding a subtle touch of hierarchy to the scene, one officer seated in the middle wears a peaked cap instead of a helmet, suggesting he may have held a higher rank, possibly an inspector. A few of the officers also display chevrons on their sleeves, denoting the rank of sergeant. One especially charming detail that sets this postcard apart is the presence of a cat, calmly perched in the arms of one of the seated sergeants—an unusual and endearing addition to an otherwise formal composition. SOLD

Published in: on June 4, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MATTIE OLESON : 18 YEARS-OLD : KERSTING STUDIO : CHICAGO, ILLINOIS : CABINET CARD

This antique cabinet card photograph features a young woman identified on the reverse inscription as Mattie Oleson, aged 18. She is posed in a traditional 1890s studio portrait style, seated and gazing slightly to the side with a composed and serene expression. Her face is oval-shaped with soft features and clear eyes, conveying a quiet dignity. Her hair is neatly pulled back and arranged in a modest style, typical of the time. Mattie is dressed in a high-collared dress of dark fabric, possibly wool or a heavy cotton, reflecting everyday or Sunday-best attire from the late Victorian period. The dress features leg-of-mutton sleeves, a popular fashion during the 1890s, which puff dramatically at the shoulders before tapering tightly down the arms. At the base of her collar, she wears a small round brooch or collar pin, possibly gold or brass, that adds a delicate decorative touch to her ensemble. The brooch is decorated with a portrait of a man and woman. Perhaps the portrait is of her parents or grandparents. The cabinet card was produced by the Kersting studio, located at 730 Milwaukee Avenue, in Chicago, Illinois. The studio imprint is elegantly embossed on the card’s bottom front, accompanied by a decorative border design that was typical for quality studios of the era. The photographer was known as H. C. Kersting.  Henry C. Kersting was a notable photographer in late 19th-century Chicago. He operated his studio from approximately 1883 to 1892.  On the reverse of the card is a handwritten inscription in period script: “Mattie Oleson, 18 years old.” This personal note adds historical and emotional value and creates an opportunity for genealogical research to learn more about Miss Oleson.  (SOLD)


Published in: on June 3, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CARTE de VISITE PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN IN AMAGERTORV, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

This carte de visite photograph features a young woman posing for her portrait at the studio of Christensen & Morange. The studio was located in Amagertorv, Copenhagen, Denmark. Amagertov is the most central square in central Copenhagen.  SOLD

Published in: on June 2, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PAULINE CHASE : AMERICAN ACTRESS : PETER PAN :POCKET VENUS : J. M. BARRIE

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 3 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 4 (SOLD)

This vintage real photo Postcard 1 features pretty American actress and dancer, Pauline Chase (1885-1962). She was a regular performer both in the United States and the United Kingdom. She is especially known for her extended starring role in the British production of “Peter Pan, The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up”. Her nickname was the “Pocket Venus of New York”. She was born in Washington D.C. and attended school in New York. She began acting when she was just fifteen years old. In 1901, producer, Charles Frohman recruited her to play in the London production of “The Girl From Up There”. She was just 15 years old. Upon her return to the US, she created a sensation as the “Pink Pajama Girl” in “The Liberty Belles”. She played one of the “lost boys” in the debut of Peter Pan (1904) in London. In 1906 she was chosen by producer, Charles Frohman, and playwright, J. M. Barrie, to play the title role in the production (1906-1913). This role brought her much fame and financial security. While in England, over the years, Chase developed quite a following. Charles Frohman had become her friend and mentor. Chase was a social beauty with many influential friends and admirers. She was a member of the socially elite and lived an extravagant life style. In 1913, Chase retired from the stage to marry a banker. The pair had three children. In 1916, Chase came out of retirement to play in her one and only movie appearance. There are 52 portraits of Chase in the National Portrait Gallery. The film “The Real Thing At Last” was a satirical film, based on MacBeth, written by Barrie. This postcard has a 1907 postmark. The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.4083O). Miss Chase’s photograph was taken by the Hutchinson & Svendsen studio.  (SOLD)

Postcard 2 was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.4950A). Miss Chase’s photograph was taken by Alexander Bassano. (SOLD)

Postcard 3 has a 1907 postmark. The card was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons as part of a series (No.T30). Miss Chase’s photograph was taken by the Johnston & Hoffmann studio.  (SOLD)

Postcard 4 features Chase wearing an interesting lace hat and she has a sweet, pure, and innocent appearance. This postcard was published circa 1909, the date of the cards postmark. The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.4856L). Miss Chase’s photograph was taken by the Bassano studio.  (SOLD)

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

POSTCARD 3

POSTCARD 4

Published in: on June 1, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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BATHING BEAUTY : RISQUE : JEAN AGELOU : PARIS : 1910-1920

This French vintage risque real photo postcard features a pretty young bathing beauty. The young woman is wearing a bathing suit that has straps on the bottom of the suit. Her shoes also have black straps wrapping partially up her calves.This is a risque photograph. This postcard was published by celebrated photographer, Jean Agelou (1878-1921), as part of a series (No.036). Agelou was a French photographer of the 1910’s and 1920’s who is best known for his erotic and nude photographs. He was born in Egypt and not much is known about his private life. Agelou generally used models between the age of 20 and 24 years-old. Although the 1900’s was the “golden age” of erotic photograph, photographers who took such risque photos had to use discretion. As a result, Agelou signed his work “JA”. In 1908, nudity in photographs was banned in France and photographers had to cover nude women images with strategically placed undergarments or other materials. Nude images had to circulate on the down low. They were sent in the mail inside of envelopes. Jean Agelou died in 1921; the result of a car accident. His brother George, who managed Jean’s business, also was killed in the crash.  SOLD

Published in: on May 31, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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YOUNG GIRL WITH RINGLETS WEARING INTERESTING ATTIRE (EARLY CDV : 1860’s)

This carte de visite photograph features a lovely little girl wearing unusual attire. I would guess that her dress is indicative of a specific ethnic group. I do not know what ethnicity that might be. The detailed stitching on her dress is pretty. Note the striped accessory (scarf?) on the side of her dress, as well as her feathered headband. Her ringlet curls are adorable. This cdv was taken at the R. A. Lord studio in New York City. He operated his studio in the 1860’s. He photographed civil war soldiers and civil war era citizens during the conflict. A couple of his photographs are in the collection of California’s J. Paul Getty Museum.  SOLD

Published in: on May 30, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (4)  
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ADORABLE LITTLE GIRL AND HER DOLL : ST. THOMAS, ONTARIO, CANADA : CABINET CARD

This cabinet card portrait features an adorable little girl sitting on a chair and holding a doll. She is wearing a “fancy” dress. The child appears quite content as she poses for her photograph at the A. S. Green studio in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. Anson S. Green was active as a photographer in St. Thomas between 1888 to 1893, according to Glen C. Phillips’s “The Ontario Photographers List (1851-1900)”.  SOLD

Published in: on May 29, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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A LITTLE GIRL & HER BELOVED TOYS : TOY PIANO, DOLLS & WAGON : RPPC EARLY 1900’s

Seated on a small toy piano, a young girl gazes directly into the camera with a serious, almost puzzled expression. Her light-colored coat, featuring large buttons and a Peter Pan collar, suggests a chilly season. Her dark stockings contrast sharply against the crisp fabric of her coat, and her slightly scuffed lace-up shoes hint at a child often at play. Her blonde hair, parted slightly to the side, is adorned with a large white bow, a common fashion accessory for young girls of the era. Beside her, a well-loved wooden wagon carries an assortment of cherished toys. A china-head doll dressed in a long, slightly tattered gown sits upright, her delicate painted face conveying a timeless charm. Next to her, a worn plush teddy bear with jointed limbs lounges against the wagon’s edge, its fur thinned from years of companionship. A smaller doll, with a cloth body and a painted bisque head, rests in a heap, suggesting it may have been hastily placed there before the photo was taken. Behind the girl, the toy piano upon which she perches adds a striking visual element. The intricate decals and ornate detailing on its wooden frame indicate it was once a prized plaything. Its keys, some appearing slightly askew, reveal the signs of youthful enthusiasm. The setting appears to be an outdoor porch or wooden structure, the horizontal planks of the wall providing a rustic backdrop. The natural light casts soft shadows, enhancing the depth and character of the image. The reverse side of the postcard features a typical divided-back design, indicating it dates from the early 1900s. A faint handwritten inscription reads “Frank B’s little girl”. Franks’s last name is likely “Binder”. The handwriting is delicate and slightly faded, but still legible.  SOLD

Published in: on May 28, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF THE CHIEF YEMENITE RABBI IN JERUSALEM IN PALESTINE

This vintage real postcard features a fascinating portrait of “a Yemenite Jew Chief in Jerusalem”. It is my belief that rather than this being a “Yemenite Jew Chief”, this gentleman is the chief rabbi of the Yemenite Jews in Palestine. Arabic and Hebrew text can be found on the reverse of the postcard. The hebrew word on the postcard is “Teimanim” which translates to “Yemenite Jew”.  “Palestine”, not Israel, is printed on the reverse of the postcard.  “Palestine” is used because Israel was not established until 1948, long after this postcard was printed. The photographer of this portrait is Shlomo Narinsky and the card was published in 1921 by the Jamal Brothers (located in Jerusalem). This postcard portrait is included in the collection of the US Library of Congress. Shlomo Narinsky (1885-1960) was born in Southern Russia (Ukraine). In 1904/1905, he studied photography in Paris and Berlin. He returned to Russia only briefly before immigrating to Palestine. He opened a photography studio in Jerusalem. He produced many postcards focusing on Palestine. He was known for his use of light and shadow in order to give his images a soft and romantic air. Shlomo’s wife, Sonja, was also a very talented and highly esteemed photographer. This postcard has excellent clarity and is in excellent condition (see scans).  SOLD

Published in: on May 27, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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