FANNIE WARD : PRETTY STAGE & SILENT FILM STAR : PHOTO BY LIZZIE CASWALL SMITH : RPPC 1905

This vintage real photo postcard features pretty American stage and silent film actress and film producer, Fannie Ward (1872-1952). She was also the star of light comedies on Broadway. She began her career in the early 1890s, and appeared in over 100 films between 1895 and 1920. She was known for her roles in silent comedies and melodramas, and was considered one of the most popular actresses of her time. She played starring roles in “Madam President”, “The Shop Girl” and many others. Her screen debut was in Cecil B DeMille’s sexually charged, “The Cheat” (1915). Ward also produced several films, including the 1913 film “The Chink in the Armour,” which was directed by her then-husband, Frank Keenan. She retired from acting in 1920, but continued to work in the film industry as a producer until her death in 1952. In addition, after her retirement from the screen, she opened a beauty salon in Paris called “The Fountain of Youth”. The name of the salon is a bit ironic. Ward was known for her youthful appearance. It was not ununsual for her to play the parts of women one of two decades her junior. Ward held feminist beliefs which she wasn’t shy to talk about. In 1909, she told a reporter that her husband hated her work and then pointed out the hypocrisy of society’s support of men pursuing their interests (ie. art, sports, travel) but not supporting women who did the same. In addition, Ward worked as a film producer, a role not usually populated by women. Rotary Photo published this postcard as part of a series (No.1661A). The firm was located in London. Miss Ward was photographed by celebrated female photographer, Lizzie Caswall Smith. This posted postcard has a 1905 postmark.  SOLD

MAUDE FEALY : AMERICAN FILM & STAGE STAR : BEAUTIFUL : POPULAR MODEL

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This vintage real photo postcard features American stage and silent and sound film actress, Maude Fealy (1883-1971). Maude was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Her mother was an actress and acting coach. After her mother remarried, she moved to Colorado where Maude called home for much of her life. She made her stage debut at the age of three. she performed at the Elitch Theater numerous times during her childhood. In 1905 she began to be the featured actress in a number of productions. She worked alongside stock player Cecil B DeMille and the pair developed a friendship that lasted many decades. In fact, he cast her in his film “The Ten Commandments” (1956). This postcard illustrates Miss Fealy’s beauty. Her photo postcards were very popular and collectable during her era, as well as today. 

Postcard 1 is uncommon. The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.1965J), The postcard is of British origin. Note that this postcard is hand tinted and postmarked in Dublin (1906). The card has an interesting message. The writer proclaims “What an innocent face this girl has. Poor thing”. Since when is “innocence” something to pity? (SOLD)

Postcard 2 demonstrates that Miss Fealy was fashionable and quite beautiful. Her photo postcards were very popular and collectable during her era, as well as today. This particular postcard is rare. The portrait for this postcard was taken by the London Stereo Company. The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.1965J), The postcard is of British origin. (SOLD)

Postcard 3 was published by Davidson Brothers as part of a series (no.1378), The postcard is of British origin and demonstrates that Maude Fealy was fashionable as well as beautiful. (SOLD)

Postcard 4 is uncommon. The card was published by Raphael Tuck in 1904 as part of the “Stage Favorites: series (no.5058), The postcard is of British origin. (SOLD) 

Postcard 5 is rare. The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.1928C), The postcard is of British origin. (SOLD)

Postcard 6 is rare. The card was published by Germany’s Rotophot (no.0756). (SOLD)

Postcard 7 was published by Philco as part of a series (no.3107F). The card is beautifully hand colored. The postcard is of British origin. The postcard was postmarked in 1907. (SOLD)

Postcard 8 was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.1861M), This particular card is rare. The postcard has a 1905 postmark and is of British origin.  (SOLD)

Postcard 9 has a notable message. The card was written from a man to a woman. The last line of the gentleman’s note states “You ought to be hit in the face with a fish”. He topped it off by drawing a fish at the end of the sentence. He certainly must have been joking but the comment is quite odd by today’s standards. The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.1965D). (SOLD)

Postcard 10 is uncommon. The card was published by E. S. London as part of a series (no.1113). (SOLD)

Postcard 11 is rare. The card was published by RotoPhot as part of a series (no.0175). The card is beautifully hand colored.  (SOLD)

Postcard 12 is uncommon and the card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.198 V)), The message on this postcard is an Easter greeting.

Postcard 13 demonstrates that Miss Fealy was fashionable and quite beautiful. Her photo postcards were very popular and collectable during her era, as well as today. This card has a 1904 postmark.It was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.198D),  (SOLD)

Postcard 14 was published by J. Beagles 7 Co. as part of a series (no.365H). Miss Fealy’s photo portrait was taken by esteemed celebrity photographers, W & D Downey.  The uncommon postcard is of British origin. (SOLD)

Postcard 15 was published by P. F. B. as part of a series (no.4037). P. F. B. is likely a Berlin firm named Paul Finkenrath. However, a second Berlin company named Paul Fink went by the inititials PFB which certainly creates some confusion among postcard collectors. This vintage postcard is uncommon. (SOLD)

Postcard 16 was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.2381). (SOLD)

Postcard 17 is rare. The postcard offers a view of Miss Fealy petting a large dog. It appears to be some type of hound. Maude is flashing a pretty smile and is wearing a feathered hat and a plaid dress and jacket. The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.1965A), The postcard is of British origin. (SOLD)

Postcard 18 is rare. The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.1861F), The postcard is of British origin and it’s postmark is appears to be from 1906. (SOLD)

Postcard 19 is rare. The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.389C). Miss Fealy’s photograph was taken by the esteemed W & D Downey studio. The postcard is of British origin and it’s postmark is from 1905. (SOLD)

Postcard 20 is rare. The card was published by the Schofield Photographic Series (no.428). Three actress portrait postcards from this series can be found in England’s National Portrait Gallery. Miss Fealy’s photograph was taken by the esteemed Johnston & Hoffman studio. The postcard is of British origin and it’s postmark is from 1905.  (SOLD)

Postcard 21 is of British origin and is generously hand tinted. The card is identical to Postcard 16 except for the two different hand tintings. (SOLD)

Postcard 22 is uncommon. The card was published by A & G Taylor as part of the “Reality Series”. Miss Fealy’s portrait was taken by the Bassano studio. The postcard is of British origin. (SOLD)

Postcard 23 is uncommon. The card was published by J. Beagles & Co. as part of a series (No.365). The postcard is of British origin  (SOLD)

The photo portrait on Postcard 24 was taken by the Johnston & Hoffmann studio. The card is an example of an “Enamelette Postcard”. (SOLD)

Postcard 25 is color tinted and was published by Raphael Tuck as part of the “Celebrities of the Stage” series (no.S1299). The card is an example of an “Silverette Postcard”.  (SOLD)

Postcard 26 is an uncommon color tinted vintage lithographic card. It was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (no.198U).  (SOLD)

Postcard 27 is uncommon. The card was published as part of the Wrench series (No.10449). Miss Fealy’s portrait was taken by the famous female celebrity photographer, Lallie Charles. The postcard is of British origin and has a 1906 postmark. (SOLD)

Postcard 28 was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.198L). Miss Fealy’s photograph was taken by the Johnston & Hoffmann studio.  (SOLD)

Postcard 29 was published by Giesen Brothers & Co. as part of a series (no.K46). The photographer of Maude’s portrait was the Hutchinson & Svendsen studio.  The National Portrait Gallery asserts that this pair of photographers were active in London between 1905 and 1906.  (SOLD)

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BLANCHE SWEET : SILENT FILM ACTRESS : 161 FILM CREDITS : BY FRED HARTSOOK : 1917

Blanche Sweet (1896-1986) was an American silent film actress. Her mother was a dancer and her father was a wine merchant. Blanche began show business at an early age. At age four she was performing with a touring company with stars, Marie Burroughs and Maurice Barrymore. At age thirteen, she was working at Biograph Studios under contract with D. W. Griffith. She became known as “The Biograph Blonde”. In 1914, Sweet moved to Paramount (Famous Players – Lasky). Paramount had offered her more money than Biograph could pay. During the 1910’s, Sweet appeared in several prominet film roles and kept her place as a popular leading lady. She played in a number of Cecil B. DeMille films. She and Marshall Neilan (actor, director, producer, screen writer) had an affair which led to Neilan obtaining a divorce and marrying young Blanche. She was about 16 years old. The marriage ended in 1929 because Neilan was an alleged philanderer. When “talkies” began, Sweets career suffered causing her to retire in 1930. The IMDb lists 161 film credits in Blanche’s filmography. Her post film career included radio work and non major Broadway roles. When job offers dissipated, she began working in a Los Angeles department store. She later worked with historians and gave lectures about the early days of Hollywood. This photo portrait of Miss Sweet was taken by American photographer, Fred Hartsook (1876-1930). He owned a chain of California studios described as “the largest photographic business in the world” at that time. The photo was taken circa 1917. Hartsook photographed many silent film stars as well as Woodrow Wilson during his Presidency. This vintage postcard’s AZO stamp box indicates that the postcard was published sometime between 1910 and 1930. This postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3895

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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 3895

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