VALLI VALLI : PRETTY SILENT FILM & STAGE ACTRESS : RPPC 1908

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These vintage real photo postcards feature British beauty and actress, Valli Valli (1882-1927). She was a British musical comedy actress and a silent film performer. She was born in Berlin but spent most of her life in England. Her sisters, Lulu and Ida Valli were both actresses. Her father was a merchant. She was educated in London and Paris. She made her stage debut in London at the age of twelve. At thirteen years of age she had a successful run in the musical comedy “Morocco Bound” in Berlin. The next year she performed at London’s Drury Lane Theatre in a pantomime version of Cinderella. As an adult, Valli was a beautiful woman. She performed mostly on the English stage but did tour the United States a number of times. These plays include “The Dollar Princess” and her final New York City performance in “Miss Millions” (1919). In all, she appeared in seven Broadway plays between 1905 and 1920. Valli appeared in four films during 1915 and 1916. These films included “The Turmoil” which was an adaptation of a Booth Tarkington novel. In 1917, she married Louis Dreyfus, head of a music publishing house, and later, a theatrical producer. Valli died from tuberculosis at the young age of forty-five.

Postcard 1 captures Valli, in a pensive, or possibly, dejected mood. The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.1760G). Miss Valli was photographed by the Bassano studio. (SOLD)

Postcard 2 features Valli, in a pensive or imploring mood, identical to the mood she exhibits in postcard 1. This card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.11415A).  (SOLD)

Postcard 3 captures Valli in her role as “The Gipsy” in “Queen of Hearts” . The card was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.11415A). (SOLD)

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Published in: on October 14, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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KITTY COLYER – ENGLISH TRIPLE THREAT (SINGER, DANCER, ACTRESS) – PLAYED CINDERELLA

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The pretty actress seen in this vintage real photo postcard, is Miss Kitty Colyer (1897-?). Here are some biographical facts that I discovered in preliminary research about the English actress. She started her career at age eleven. In addition to being an actress, she was also a dancer. She has also been described as a music hall singer and a comedian. Her dance routines were varied but her favorites were acrobatic, toe, buck, and national dancing. She performed primarily in the 1920’s. She played the role of Cinderella in “Cinderella” (1920).  As the roaring twenties came to a close, her career fizzled out and she left the entertainment business. A review of Miss Colyer can be found in John Culme’s “Footlight Notes” (website). A writer from “The Era” (1911) wrote “Miss Kitty Colyer’s sensational dancing reaches its climax in some very energetic handsprings and her lissomness and activity are quite irresistible in her rendering of “By the Light of the Silvery Moon”. Look below to see an example of sheet music (1920) featuring Kitty Colyer. Now, back to the vintage postcard. It was published by Rotary Photo and is part of the Rotary Photographic Series (no. 11522 C). The photographer is unknown.   SOLD

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Published in: on August 14, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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MAY DE SOUSA : ACTRESS/SINGER :TRAGIC DESCENT FROM STAR TO SCRUB WOMAN : RPPC 1907

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Postcard 1 features American stage actress, and singer, May de Sousa (1884-1948). She had many successes, but she lived a tragic life. Her father was a Chicago police detective. She became famous in 1898, I at about 14 years of age, when she sang “Dear Midnight of Love”. This song was a ballad by bathhouse John Coughlin. He was a Chicago politician and would-be songwriter.  In 1901 she was hired by Frank Perley as one of the principles for his touring company. Next, she became the understudy for Alice Nielson in a San Francisco production. In 1902 she was invited to go to London with the cast of that show, but she turned down the opportunity because she was afraid of the sea voyage. She then joined the cast of the highly successful operatic fantasy, “The Storks”. In 1904 she joined the cast of the Wizard of Oz. That same year, she became part of the cast of “Babes in Toyland”. At this point, she had become a very popular actress. She then went to London to star in a production of Cinderella. She followed that up with other stage successes in London. Although she had much success in light operatic roles, she wanted to display her talent as a dramatic actress. In 1908 she was one of the first American actresses to perform at the Moulin Rouge. While in Paris she was reported missing because she did not contact friends or family for over five weeks. She returned without explanation. She was now a star in both the United States and England. In 1910, her mother was discovered dead in a room filled with gas. It was unknown whether her mother’s death was accidental or by suicide. In 1910, May married a stockbroker. Their marriage was very troubled from its beginning. Her husband had lied about his finances, and the financial burden fell on the De Sousa. In addition, her husband frequently physically, abused her. After two years of marriage, she divorced him on the grounds of cruelty and financial desertion. De Sousa continued her career in both America and Europe. De Sousa appeared in 8 Broadway plays between 1905 and 1915.  She was performing in France shortly before the start of World War I and barely escaped Germany’s invasion of France. In 1913, she was forced to declare bankruptcy. In 1918, she toured Australia with a theatrical company. While there, in about 1919, she married a local doctor and the pair moved to Shanghai. She performed there with amateur companies. In 1941 her husband died, and in around 1943 she was imprisoned for seven months as a civilian intern by the Japanese. When she returned to Chicago, she worked as a scrub woman in a public school. Her health was very much compromised by her internment,  she soon was forced to quit her job due to not being healthy enough to perform her tasks. She became malnourished and died in poverty and alone. She was a charity case in the county hospital when she died in 1948. May DeSosa had risen to become the toast of Europe and America, but died isolated and forgrotten. She was buried in a pauper’s grave. This vintage postcard was published by Philco as part of a series (No.3206B). The card was postmarked in 1907. (SOLD)

Postcard 2 was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.1993I). De Sousa is shown in costume for “The Girls of Gottenberg”. (SOLD)

Published in: on September 6, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MISS DOROTHY RUNDELL AS CINDERELLA : IN COSTUME : ROTARY PHOTO : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features actress Dorothy Rundell in costume for her role as Cinderella. She is holding a broom and has a look of despondency. Rundell was a sitter for six portraits in the collection of England’s National Portrait Gallery. In 1913, Rundell appeared in  “This Way Madam! at London’s Queens Theatre. A World War I website presents an article about Captain Leopold Profeit. The author mentions that in 1915, about nine months after he enlisted into the army, Profeit married Dorothy Rundell. She was 26 years old, nine years younger than Captain Profeit. In 1917, less than two years after the nuptials, Profeit was killed at the Battle of Dorian fighting against the Bulgarians. A review in the “Tatler” (1917) reports that Dorothy replaced Doris Keane in the London production of “Romance”. The reviewer wrote that Dorothy “won all hearts by her personal charm, and delicate sensibility”.  This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No.11588 A). The photo of Miss Rundell was taken by the Foulsham & Banfield studio.  Frank Foulsham and A. C. Banfield operated a studio from the 1900’s through the 1920’s and were well known celebrity photographers. SOLD

Published in: on January 4, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ALICE RUSSON : IRISH STAGE AND SILENT FILM STAR : RPPC (1908)

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This vintage real photo postcard (Postcard 1) features Irish actress, singer, and dancer, Alice Russon. She acted in musical comedies and silent films. Russon’s stage work included “The Girl from Kay’s” (1904), “Cinderella” (1907), and “The Arcadians” (1911). In 1906, she appeared in a variety show headlined by Will Rogers. In 1912 and 1913, she performed in Australia. According to IMDb, Russon appeared in three British silent films including “Democracy” (1918) and “All Men are Liars” (1919). Russon was married to actor, Vernon Davidson. It is reported that she was an amateur photographer. This postcard was published by Rotary Photo as part of the Rotary Photographic Series (No. 4139 B). The card has a postmark from Cambridge, England (dated 1908). The message on the reverse of the card, like today’s text messages, is short and sweet. The writer simply writes “Getting on alright”.  (SOLD)

Postcard 2 was published by Rotary Photo as part of a series (No. 1803 O). Russon’s photograph was taken by Sydney Wood.  (SOLD)

Postcard 3 was published by Philco as part of a series (No. 3437 D). Russon’s photograph was taken by Dover Street Studios. The card has a postmark dated 1908. The message on the reverse of the card, states that the writer attended the theatre the night before writing. She reports that she saw actress, Marie Studholme and that Miss Studholme was “very good, pretty and just as nice as she looks on postcards”. This postcard is in good condition (see scans).

Postcard 4 was published by Raphael Tuck as part of a series (No.T160). (SOLD)

Postcard 5 was published by Philco as part of a series (No. 3437 D). This photo captures Miss Russon in costume for her role as “Cinderella”. Russon’s photograph was taken by Dover Street Studios. The card has a postmark dated 1908. The message on the reverse of the card, states that the writer attended the theatre the night before writing. She reports that she saw actress, Marie Studholme and that Miss Studholme was “very good, pretty and just as nice as she looks on postcards”. (SOLD)

Postcard 6 features Russon looking quite pretty as she sits on a wall holding a parasol. She is wearing a frilly dress and has flowers in her hair. This postcard was published by Rapid Photo as part of a series (No.3230). The card has a postmark from London, England (dated 1906). (SOLD)

Postcard 7 was published by J. R. R. E. as part of a series (No.10). Russon’s photograph was taken by James Cooper & Son Studios. The card has a postmark dated 1904.  (SOLD)

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Published in: on October 24, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MISS EDITH FINK : PLAYED CINDERELLA : ACTRESS, SINGER, COMEDIENNE : RPPC

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This vintage real photo postcard features actress, singer, and comedienne, Miss Edith Fink. Information about Miss Fink is sparse. The website “Find A Grave” provides a bit of information about her life and death. She was born in Nottingham, England, in 1884. She died in Poole, England in 1957. At the time of her passing, her full name was Edith Kate Fink Lashwood. She had been married to George Lashwood (1863-1942). Their marriage took place in 1917. George Lashwood has been described as a “handsome and distinguished” well-dressed singer of popular and patriotic songs. He also appeared in pantomimes and made recordings of many of his songs. Note the purple typed message on the reverse of this postcard. The writer, Louise, tells the reader that Miss Fink is playing Cinderella at the “Prince of Wales Theatre” in London. A faded postmark reveals that this postcard was written and mailed in 1906. This card was published by E. C. Osborne & Son. The firm was located in Birmingham, England. SOLD

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Published in: on August 9, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CLARA JECKS : PRETTY AND TALENTED ENGLISH MUSICAL COMEDY ACTRESS

The pretty woman seen in this vintage photograph is English musical comedy actress, Clara Jecks (1854-1951). She was born in London, England. Her father was an actor and theatrical manager (Adelphi Theatre). Her mother was a popular actress. It is unsurprising that Clara began her stage career when she was a baby. She first appeared on the stage as a toddler. Growing up, she received the music, dance, and voice training needed to prepare her for a performing career. Her London stage debut was in 1873, at about the age of nineteen. Clara’s specialty was playing soubrettes (lively flirtatious roles) and boy roles. In fact, she once said, “I am never so really happy as when acting as a lad”. Clara was mentored by talented actress, Miss Nellie Farren. There is a portrait of Clara in Great Britain’s National Portrait Gallery. In fact, the portrait is identical to the photograph seen above. The NPG reports that this image appeared in “The Theatre” magazine in 1892. She was photographed, for this image, playing her role in “Richard II”, written by William Shakespeare. The photographer of the photo was Alfred Ellis (1854-1930). Ellis was an active photographer between 1884 and 1899. He operated a studio on Upper Baker Street in London. He specialized in theatrical photography and sometimes photographed whole scenes inside his studio. He later went to theaters to photograph performers and play scenes. Now, back to Clara’s career. In 1878, she and her mother toured together with the Comedy Opera Company. A few of Clara’s notable performances were in “Formosa” (1877), “The Black Domino” (1893), Cinderella (1893), and “A Merry Madcap” (1896). Her final London performance was in “The Critic” (1911). In an interview appearing in “The Sketch” (1893), Clara was asked the reason why she never toured America. She answered that she received many good offers to appear there, but preferred to perform in London, “Where I am at home with my audiences”. She then added, as if to change the subject, the following observation. She asserted, “You should see what funny letters I sometimes get from little boys in front, who can hardly believe I’m not one of themselves”. During her career, she appeared in over two hundred opera, drama, and pantomime roles. This image features Clara holding a wine pitcher in one hand, and a wine cup in the other. This photograph measures about 4″ x 5″, has excellent clarity, and is in excellent condition.

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Published in: on January 18, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MISS HILDA GUIVER : PRETTY ACTRESS AND PRINCIPAL BOY (PHOTO BY GUTTENBERG)

This vintage real photo postcard features theatre actress, Hilda Guiver. She had an active acting career between 1905 and 1917. She sat for one portrait that can be found in the National Portrait Gallery of Great Britain. Interestingly, the portrait owned by the National Portrait Gallery is the very same one as seen in this postcard image. The photographer of this photograph is Percy Guttenberg of Manchester, England. The photo was taken in about 1905. Alexander Percy Guttenberg (1870-?) came from a family that produced a number of photographers. His father, Marcus Guttenberg (1828-1891) began as a daguerreotypist in Hungary, Prussia, Poland and Germany before starting a photography business in England (1851). One source reports that he established 24 studios in England but settled in the Manchester area. Percy, like his father, was also very successful. In fact, there are fourteen of his photographs in England’s National Portrait Gallery. Percy was famous for his work photographing actors and actresses. Finding information about Miss Guiver took some effort. I did learn that she appeared in “Cinderella (1906)” at The Kings Theatre in London. Actress, Ethel Ward, also was part of the cast. Hilda Guiver is also known for her starring in “The House that Jack Built (1916)”. This patriotic show was popular during World War I. The play was written in the tradition of English pantomime so the role of the principal boy needed to be played by a woman. Hilda Guiver took on that role with great swagger and dash. Dressed as a handsome naval officer, she sang patriotic songs and received “enthusiastic reviews”. Guiver was a natural for the role as she was considered one of London’s leading principal boys.   SOLD

Published in: on June 30, 2019 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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STAGE AND SILENT FILM ACTRESS MABEL TRUNELLE IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA

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This cabinet card features stage and film actress Mabel Trunnell (1879-1981). The reverse of the photograph is inscribed “Yours Truly, Mabel Trunnell 1898”. Therefore, this image captures Miss Trunnell at about age nineteen. Mabel Trunnell was born in Dwight, Illinois. She began her career as an actress of the stage but at age thirty-two she began to appear in films. In 1911 she appeared in “A Modern Cinderella, In the Days of Chivalry” and in “The Star Spangled Banner”. Her last film was in 1923 when she was in the movie “The Love Trap”. Her filmography on IMDb indicates that she acted in 199 different films. At the age of forty-four she returned to the stage. She was married to Herbert Prior, an early British film star. Trunnell was one of Hollywood’s first movie stars as was identified with Edison Studios. A magazine article in “The Moving Picture World” (1915) reviews one of her performance. The reviewer wrote “Mabel Trunnell becomes more attractive as the course of time silvers her hair”. An interesting sociological comment was also made by the reviewer which was in regard to the admirable strength portrayed by Trunnell’s character. The reviewer notes “most of us are tired of seeing women pictured as incurable weaklings”. The reviewer was certainly a man who was ahead of his time. This cabinet card was produced by the Barrows studio in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It appears that Miss Trunnell was photographed in a costume from one of her performances. She is dressed very much like a maid and seems a bit troubled in her pose. The photographer, Frank Rufus Barrows operated a studio in Fort Wayne between 1880 and 1900. He is considered one of the city’s most prolific photographers and had several locations while in business there. He was born in Sturgis, Michigan in 1854. He came to Fort Wayne in 1880 and partnered with Frank H. Clayton in operating a photographic studio. In about a years time he became the sole proprietor of the studio. He had many photos appear in Fort Wayne Illustrated (1897). He left Indiana for Medford, Massachusetts and operated a studio there until 1910 when he moved to Eugene, Oregon where he died in 1920.

Published in: on January 28, 2013 at 7:39 am  Leave a Comment  
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