PORTRAIT OF DOROTHY SENDING HER “BEST LOVE” FROM BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND (1918)

This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty young woman named Dorothy. She appears to be in her teenage years. Note her braided hair which is tied with a large bow. Dorothy wrote a message on the reverse of this postcard. She declares that she sends the postcard “With Best Love” and she indicates that the postcard was written in 1918. The photographer of this photograph is C. F. Wiggins and his studio was located in Blackpool, England. This lovely postcard is more than one hundred years old.   (SOLD)

Published in: on June 21, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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VIOLET HOPSON : PRETTY BRITISH ACTRESS AND FILM PRODUCER WEARING RIDING ATTIRE

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 1 (CLOSE-UP)

VIOLET HOPSON : PRETTY BRITISH ACTRESS &FILM PRODUCER :PHOTO BY FLORENCE VANDAMM - Picture 1 of 3

POSTCARD 2  (SOLD)

Violet Hopson (1887-1973) is the subject of these vintage real photo postcards. She was a highly successful British actress and producer who performed and produced stage and silent film productions. She was born in Australia. She began her stage career with Pollard’s Lilliputian Opera Company in Australia between 1898 and 1900. Two of her sisters also performed with the company. In the early 1900’s she performed in the United States and Great Britain. In the US, she appeared in dramatic productions while in Britain she added comedies to her repertoire Film historian, Rachael Low asserted that Hopson was presented to the public as if she was a “glamorous film star” despite having a low impact screen personality. Her British film debut was in “Mr Tubby’s Triumph (1910)”. Beginning 1912, she worked for British director, screen writer, and producer, Cecil Heworth. He marketed her as a “Dear Delightful Villainess”. In 1919, Hopson made a bold move and began her own production company which created a number of films. She did a series of films utilizing the theme of horse racing. Her career began to slow down before the arrival of sound films. She appeared in a few supporting roles in talkies but then retired. The IMDb reports that Violet Hopson’s filmography has 120 credits between 1910 and 1933. Hopson had two marriages. The first was to actor Alec Worcester and it was of about ten years duration. She later married British film producer, Walter West.

This vintage portrait seen in  Postcard 1, presents Hopson, in what I believe to be, horseback riding attire. Her long coat, high boots, and riding crop, all support my conclusion. Hopson looks very “cool” in this photograph. She is pretty and appears self confident and resolute. This postcard was published by Cinemagazine-Edition of Paris, France. The postcard is part of a series (no. 217). This vintage photo postcard has some cloudiness on the right side edge of the postcard. Overall the postcard is in good condition and has excellent clarity (see scans).

Postcard 2 presents Hopson in a pensive pose. She is wearing pearls and her dress is designed with a gauzy cover. The card is  hand color tinted. The photographer who shot Hopson’s photograph is quite famous. Her name is Florence Vandamm (1883-1966).  She was originally trained and worked as a painter. She moved to the United States in 1923. She was a British photographer noted for her portraits of Broadway productions and performers. During her five decade career she shot over two thousand productions. The logo for Broadwest All-British Films can be seen under Hopson’s printed name.  The card has Hopson’s facimile autograph in the bottom right hand corner of the image.  (SOLD)

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POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

GLADYS ARCHBUTT : CHILD DANCER AND ADULT MUSICAL COMEDY STAR

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POSTCARD 1

GLADYS ARCHBUTT : CHILD DANCER AND ADULT MUSICAL COMEDY STAR : RPPC 1 of 2

POSTCARD 2  (SOLD)

GLADYS ARCHBUTT :CHILD DANCER AND ADULT MUSICAL COMEDY STAR : RPPC   (1906) - Picture 1 of 3

POSTCARD 3

GLADYS ARCHBUTT & HER DOG : CHILD DANCER & ADULT MUSICAL COMEDY STAR : RPPC - Picture 1 of 4

POSTCARD 4  (SOLD)

These vintage real photo postcards feature English actress Gladys Archbutt (1889-1968). She began her career as a  child actress and dancer. She then launched a career in musical comedies in both Europe and the United States. She appeared in three Broadway musicals “London Follies” (1911), “The Balky Princess”, and “The Lamb of Delft”. She was sitter for five portraits in the National Portrait Gallery’s collection. Archbutt was married to Edwyn Ingram Gibbons in 1909. He was killed during World War I. The photographers of these images include Alexander Bassano, Lallie Charles, The Royal Magazine (1908) ran a story about Miss Archbutt. She tells the story of one of her theatrical career “adventures”. Her company was playing in Wales and their manager departed without warning. The cast did not have the money needed to return home to London and they decided to continue performing. They soon learned that the scenery from the show had been hocked and they had to buy it back. Needless to say, the company eventually earned their way home. She tells an additional story of a time where she was almost guillotined by a falling curtain. Her role in that production required her to faint and drape herself over her fathers “dead” body. Unfortunately, the actor playing her father had fallen dead in the wrong spot on the stage. As the curtain fell, the actors on the stage whispered that she needed to move from her precarious position. Being a dedicated performer, she would not move away because she was supposed to be in an unconscious state. She states she narrowly avoided being badly hurt.

Vintage Postcard 1 was published by Rapid Photo and is part of a series (no.1609).The company existed between 1901 and 1910 and was located in London. The company is best known for their portraits of actresses. The postmark is from York and reveals that the card was mailed in 1906.The writer of the card describes attending a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture”.This vintage postcard is in good condition (see scans). Note the bumping next to Miss Archbutt’s name on the front of the postcard. This portrait postcard is priced accordingly.   

Postcard 2 is hand colored and was published by Rotary Photo and is part of a series (no.1762F).    (SOLD)   

Postcard 3  was published by Rotary Photo and is part of a series (no.1752C). The postmark on this card reveals that it was mailed in 1906 SOLD                                                                                          

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In Postcard 4  Miss Archbutt was photographed sitting cross legged, holding a small dog. Her calves are exposed, or at least they are covered by nude stockings. The exposure of her lower legs make this postcard risque. SOLD

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CLARITA VIDAL : PRETTY STAGE ACTRESS : WWI NURSE : ROTARY PHOTO : RPPC

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

The pretty actress seen on these vintage real photo postcards is Clarita Vidal (1883-1919). She was an actress in Edwardian musical comedies. She was also known for her work in wartime Italy. She did this volunteer work as Countess Chiquita Mazzuchi. She once told a reporter that she did not know her nationality. There were varying stories about her background. She said she was born in Singapore and that her father was a Spanish Ambassador and her mother was from England. Vial also said that she was raised in Algiers among Spanish diplomat families. She stated her name there was Chiquita Saavedra de Cervantes. Vidal was a “Florodora girl”, a stage beauty.  “Florodora” was an Edwardian musical comedy that became one of the first successful Broadway musicals of the twentieth century. The show opened in London in 1899. Actresses Evie Greene and Ada Reeve were among the show’s performers. The Broadway production was performed at the Casino Theater in 1900 and ran for 552 performances. The show achieved some of its success from it’s chorus line of “Florodora Girls”. A Wikipedia entry describes the six female performers comprising the line as being ”tall, gorgeous damsels, clad in pink walking costumes, black picture hats and carrying frilly parasols (who) swished onto the stage and captivated New York for no other reason than they were utterly stunning”. The IBDB credits Vidal with two Broadway appearances; “The Silver Slipper” (1902) and “Cynthia” (1903). These appearances were followed by roles on the London stage, including “The School Girl” (1903). Renowned actress Billie Burke said of Vidal, “I remember Clarita Vidal, famous and smick-smack, who posed as if she were made of wax, with just one expression of sheer beauty”.  She left the stage after marrying in 1909. The press rediscovered her by late 1915. She was using the name “Countess Chiquita ‘Chick’ Mazzuchi” and was working as a nurse and ambulance driver during World War I. In 1917 she spoke at war relief fundraisers in New York City. She spoke about wounds she sustained during her service in Italy. Apparently, Miss Vidal was prone to exaggeration, or lying, depending on your perspective. The Italian Consul objected to her using the title of “Countess” and embellishing her nursing experiences in the war. The New York district attorney investigated her claims and she agreed to stop speaking and collecting money for the war effort.

The content of the message on Postcard 1 is interesting. The sender is wishing the addressee luck on her music performance exams. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo and is part of a series (no.1707). The postcard is in good condition (see scans).

Postcard 2 was published by Rotary Photo and is part of a series (no.1707C).  (SOLD)

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POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

FRANCESCA BERTINI : INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ITALIAN SILENT FILM STAR : RPPC

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 1 (CLOSE-UP)

POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

These vintage photo postcards feature Italian silent film actress, Francesca Bertini (1892-1985). She is thought to be one of the leading silent film stars in the history of this movie form. Bertini was internationally acclaimed. She began her stage career at age seventeen and soon was performing on Italy’s silent screen. By 1915, she had made more than fifty films. She was thought to be beautiful, elegant, and charming. Hollywood’s Fox Film offered her a contract but she turned down the opportunity. She was married to Paul Cartier, a wealthiy Swiss banker, and wanted to move with him to Switzerland.

Postcard 1 measures about 3 3/8″ x 5 1/2″ and is in very good condition (see scans).  

Portrait Postcard 2 was taken by G. Vettori of Bologna, Italy. The card is part of a series (No.1050). (SOLD)

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POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS OR SOCIETY WOMAN IN NEW YORK CITY (PORTRAIT BY SARONY)

This cabinet card portrait, by celebrity New York City photographer Sarony, features an unidentified attractive young woman. She is likely an actress or a society woman. Her V-neck dress is very revealing for the era that the image was produced. In fact, this is somewhat of a risque mode of dressing. To view other photographs by Sarony, click on the category “Photographer: Sarony”. This cabinet card has an extremely mild curl and is in overall very good condition (see scans). 

 

6052

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Published in: on June 16, 2024 at 1:49 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF A BOY AND HIS VIOLIN

This vintage real photo postcard features a serious boy and his violin. At least, I think it’s a violin. In the past, I have not been particularly accurate in my identification of musical instruments. This photo was taken by Williams’ Pioneer studio which had locations in the English communities of Holloway, Wood Green. Stoke Newington, Tottenham, and Hackney. This postcard portrait is in good condition.   (SOLD)

LILIAN BRAITHWAITE : ENGLISH STAGE & FILM ACTRESS : “THE VORTEX” : RPPC

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

These vintage real photo postcards feature pretty English stage actress Lilian Braithwaite (1873-1948). Lilian’s major focus was the stage but she did appear in both silent and talkie films. Her father was a Vicar (member of the clergy). She first acted with amateur companies and when she decided to become a professional actress, her parents were opposed. Despite the parental opposition, in 1897, she joined a professional Shakespearean company. She married one of her fellow actors, Gerald Lawrence. They divorced in 1905 due to Lawrence’s adultery and desertion. Her first professional London appearance was in “As You Like It” in 1900. She joined a series of other stage companies over the years. Her major noted appearance was as the alcoholic mother in Noel Coward’s drama, “The Vortex” (1924). In 1927, she appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s film “Downhill”.

Postcard 1 was published by Philco. The card is part of a series (No.3067F). This unposted postcard is in Very Good condition (see scans).

Postcard 2 features Lilian in her role in the play, “If I Were King”. The publisher of this portrait postcard is Rotary Photo (No.3032). This unposted postcard is in Very Good condition (see scans).

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POSTCARD 1

FLORENCE METTA YOUNG PONDERS IN MOUNT VERNON, OHIO

Florence Mette Young poses for her portrait at the studio of Fred S. Crowell, in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Florence is well dressed and apparently likes jewelry. She is wearing two rings, two bracelets and a necklace. Florence appears to be deep in thought. What might she be pondering about? The 1880 U.S. census reveals that she was born in 1862 and at the time of the census, she was living with her parents, Charles and Angelina Young. Her father was a farmer and her mother was a homemaker. The photographer of this cabinet card, Fred S. Crowell, can also be found in the 1880 census.He was born in 1844 and lived with his wife Ella, and their three children. Other research reveals that there was a Fred Crowell from the Mount Vernon area who enlisted in the 142nd Regiment of the Ohio Infantry during the Civil War.. He served only during 1864. Crowell trained as a photographer under Anna Payne, and worked in the profession in Norwalk, Sandusky, and Cleveland, Ohio. He then opened his own studio in Fredericktown in 1866. In 1869, he moved to Mount Vernon where he established another  photography studio that was in business until at least 1889. To view other photographs by Crowell, click on the category “Photographer: Crowell”. This cabinet card portrait is in good condition (see scans).

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MOTHER READING TO THREE DAUGHTERS : BIXIO : BUENOS AIRES : ARGENTINA : RPPC

This scallop edged vintage undivided real photo postcard features a pretty young woman sitting in an unusual chair. She looks studious in her stylish glasses. As a collector and seller of vintage real photo postcards, I have found several photographers that I favor. The photographer of this postcard portrait, Florencio Bixio, is one of those photographers. Over many years I have collected and sold many of his photo postcards. Bixio was a talented photographer who operated photo studios in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was active between at least 1900 and 1930. He died in Buenos Aires in 1933. Bixio specialized in studio portraits, wedding portraits, and photos of entertainers. He also was a correspondent for the magazine “Caras and Caretas”, as well as a producer of photo postcards. Between 1900 and 1930 he opened photography studios in partnership with two other photographers. These studios were called “Bixio and Merlino” and Bixio and Castiglioni”. He was of Italian descent and emigrated to Argentina in 1896. He died in Buenos Aires in 1933. This vintage portrait postcard was made on thicker card stock than most postcards. The card measures about 4 x 5.5 inches. SOLD