This vintage photograph features a handsome uniformed fireman posing for his portrait at the Strunk Studio in Reading, Pennsylvania. The fireman has a terrific looking mustache. The insignia on his cap indicates that he was a member of the Marion Fire Department. Interestingly, Marion is located in Franklin County, about 120 miles away from Reading. Marion was named after Francis Marion, the American Revolutionary War heroic army officer, known as the Swamp Fox. The Strunk studio was operated by John D. Strunk, a talented and prolific photographer. (SOLD)
This vintage photograph features five African American US soldiers wearing their dress uniforms. They are World War II era soldiers. Note the aviator sun glasses worn by the soldier at the furthest left side of the image. This photograph is almost certainly one-of-a-kind. The photograph measures about 5 x 7 inches. (SOLD)
These vintage real photo postcards feature soprano, actress, and philanthropist, ElizabethFirth (1880-1960). Although she was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, she became an accomplished singer and actress on the English stage. When she lived in Phillipsburg, she was known as “Jimmy” Firth. The nickname, Jimmy, came courtesy of her beloved father. She went by this moniker with her most intimate friends as well as among those in her theatre world. “Jimmy” graduated from high school in New Jersey and sang as a soprano soloist in the choir of her church. She then entered the New York Conservatory of Music. At a concert at New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria, she came to the attention of a leading London musical directress. Miss Firth then appeared in a few theatrical productions, including a small part in a play starring Viola Allen. In 1903 she accepted an offer to do an English concert tour. Before she could return to the United States, she was signed to a three year contract to act and sing on the English stage. She experienced a great deal of success in Gaiety theatre productions. Among her major roles was her appearance as Natalie, in the “Merry Widow”. The production was in 1907 at the Daly Theatre. Other actors in the play included Lily Elsie and Gabrielle Ray. Five portraits of the actress can be found in England’s National Portrait Gallery. She was known as a beautiful woman. One writer described her as “tall and slender” and that she had a “clear blond complexion along with blue eyes”. She was also considered one of the best dressed women in London. While in England, the actress visited her parents in the US annually and also engaged in theatrical tours there. “Jimmy” was a charitable woman and she established the “Elizabeth Firth Wade Foundation Endowment Fund”. Among the groups work was the building a a Youth Center in Phillipsburg. The foundation is still operating. Firth was married to a widower from Cleveland, Ohio. They wed in New York City in 1931.
Postcard 1 features a portrait taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio. Foulsham & Banfield were well known celebrity photographers. Frank Foulsham and A. C. Banfield operated a studio from the 1900’s through the 1920’s.. The postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.4829 B). This postcard was postmarked in 1908 and is in very good condition (see scans). (SOLD)
Postcard 2 features Miss Firth in her role as “Olga” in “The Dollar Princess”. Her photograph was taken by Rita Martin. Miss Martin was well known for her expertise in taking portraits of theater stars and other celebrities. The postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.4486 F). The writer of the message on this postcard dated it “1911”. The correspondent also provided an illustration of a barking dog along with their message. The sender of this postcard used sealing wax on the card. I have not seen sealing wax used on a postcard before. Sealing was is usually used to confirm one’s identity or to secure privacy of the contents of an envelope. (SOLD)
These vintage real photo postcards feature English actress, singer, and dancer, Gaynor Rowlands (1883-1906). She carried the nickname of “The Nightingale of Wales”. She started her career in Empire Theatres’s Ballet. Upon graduation, she joined the company chorus line of George Edwarde’s Gaiety Theatre. She toured India in 1901/02. She quickly became a star and she became the most photographed of the “Gaiety Girls”. She was a popular subject of photo postcards and theatre magazine articles. Rowland’s life was cut short when she died of heart failure at the age of twenty-three after surgery for appendicitis. Eight portraits of Gaynor are in England’s National Portrait Gallery. The IMDb reports that she has one film in her filmography. lt was released in 1905.
Postcard 1 is a pretty portrait of Miss Rowlands that was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons as part of the Glosso Postcard Series (No. 5709) and the “Celebrities of the Stage Series”. The writer of this postcard used only one word to describe Gaynor. That word is “Lovely”. There is no doubt about the date that this postcard was written and sent. Not only does the postmark reveal that this card was mailed in 1905, but the writer wrote the same date on the front of the postcard. The card was mailed from Hounslow, a borough of London. This postcard is in good condition (see scans).
Postcard 2 is a portrait postcard that was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No. 1615U). Note Miss Rowland’s necklace and earrings. The message on this card offers Christmas greetings. The postcard was postmarked on Christmas day in 1908. This postcard is in very good condition (see scans). (SOLD)
Postcard 3 was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.1887 T). Embedded in the image is the logo for “Play Pictorial”. The postcard was posted with a British stamp and a postmark from 1906. The card is in very good condition (see scans).
Postcard 4 was published by Davidson Bros. as part of the “Glossyphoto” series (No.1417). The card was postmarked in 1907. (SOLD)
Postcard 5 was published by Ralph Dunn & Company which operated out of London, England. The card is part of a series (no.418). The postcard was manufactured in Berlin, Germany and is in very good condition (see scans).
Postcard 6 was published by Rapid Photo as part of the Silverprint series (No.3923). The postcard is of British origin. (SOLD) .
Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3549
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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 3549
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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3924
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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #3924
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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5146
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$12.00
Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #5146
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This vintage photograph features a woman who can be best described as a fashionista. She is wearing what has been described by a viewer as a “Winter White Ensemble”. Note the fur cape, bustled dress, flowered hat, gloves, and the fan in her right hand. This photograph was taken by C. D. Andrews, who operated a studio in Lakeport, New Hampshire. This soft focus portrait was beautifully done by the Andrew studio. (SOLD)
Postcard 1 is a vintage real photo postcard featuring silent film actress Florence Vidor (1895-1977). Florence was born in Houston, Texas. She began working in silent films due to the influence of her husband, King Vidor. He was a film director, film producer, and screenwriter. The pair married in 1915. Her first film contract was with Vitagraph Studios in 1916. She became a well known actress after her appearance in “Hail the Woman” (1921). Florence was noted to be one of early Hollywood’s great beauties. During the 1920’s, she was a major star for Paramount Pictures. She was the leading lady to actors Sessue Hayakawa and “drag star”, Julian Eltinge. She also acted for director Cecil B. DeMille. Sound films brought about the end of her performing career. In fact, she had so much difficulty with sound films, that she retired from acting before finishing the movie in which she was appearing. Florence divorced her husband in 1924. She married the talented and popular classical violinist, Jascha Heifetz in 1928. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1945. This photo portrait postcard can be found in the collection of the National Museum of American History (Smithsonian Institute). This vintage postcard is uncommon. SOLD
Postcard 2 was published by Alfred Noyer as part of a series (No.351). Note the logo for Paramount Films in the bottom right hand corner of the image. SOLD
This vintage postcard is a great remnant of early aviation history. The card features a biplane flying low over the city of Nice, France. There are many spectators watching the plane fly over the Mediterranean Sea. Note the sailboats in the sea as well as a second plane seen in the distance. This card was produced by the Giletta studio, located in Nice. The message on the reverse of the postcard indicates that it was written in 1910. This card was published just seven years after the Wright brothers made their historic first flight. (SOLD)
This postcard features a portrait of pretty American actress and singer, Dorothy Lamour (1914-1996). She is frequently remembered for her appearance in the “Road to …” movies. This 1940”s series of popular comedies also starred Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. Lamour got her performing start as a big band singer in the 1930’s. In 1936 she was signed by Paramount Pictures. That same year she reached famedom for her appearance in “The Jungle Princess”. In the early 1950’s Lamour’s film career began to wane and she focused on stage and television appearances. Lamour was born in New Orleans. Her parents were waiters. She quit school at 14. Soon after, she took business courses and worked as a secretary. She entered beauty contests and was named Miss New Orleans in 1931. Lamour began to perform in stock theater companies. She moved to Chicago with her mother and got a job as an elevator operator at Marshall Fields. She was just 16. She auditioned around the city and was hired as a singer for an orchestra. Next stop was vaudeville and radio. In 1935, she had her own weekly radio show. Her radio work included singing and acting. Lamour performed in two Broadway shows (1958,1995). Her IMDb filmography includes 73 credits. Lamours portrait on this postcard displays her beauty. This uncommon vintage postcard is part of the Viny Series (No.2111). The scallop edged postcard is of French origin. (SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features a portrait of a Belgian soldier sitting in his parent’s garden. He appears to be writing a letter. A framed cabinet card photograph is atop the table in front of him. The photograph captures a family portrait and individual photographs of members of the soldier’s family. It is likely that the pictured individuals are the soldier, his wife, and their two children. The soldier is identified on the reverse of the card as Paul Coppenyns. The photograph is from circa, the 1910’s. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 