VINTAGE NUDE PHOTOGRAPH : BY LUCIEN WALERY (AS YRELAW) : FRENCH ART DECO MODEL

This striking vintage postcard features a classic nude portrait by celebrated Parisian photographer Lucien Waléry, whose name appears here in reverse as “YrélaW” — a common practice he used to subtly obscure his identity on more provocative works. The image is numbered 1088 in the lower right corner, indicating it was part of a larger, collectible series. 
The young model is posed in an artful semi-recline, one hand supporting her as she leans back against a textured curtain backdrop. She appears relaxed yet lively, her head turned to the side as she offers a gentle, playful smile. Her hair is dark, voluminous, and naturally wavy, framing her face with softness. Her expression conveys youthful confidence with an air of ease — not coy or provocative, but serene and open, as though caught in conversation or reacting to someone just out of frame. The pose emphasizes the natural curves of her body, rendered with artistic sensitivity in the soft lighting typical of Waléry’s photographic style. Though nude, the model is not sexualized in a gratuitous way; the tone is classical and aesthetic, clearly intended as fine art rather than erotica.  Lucien Waléry was the pseudonym of Stanisław Julian Ignacy Ostroróg (1863–1929), a French-born photographer of Polish descent. He came from a line of photographers — his father was also a notable portraitist — and worked during the height of the Belle Époque and Art Deco periods in Paris. Waléry’s photography specialized in glamour, cabaret performers, and nude or semi-nude models, often featuring stars of the Folies Bergère and other Parisian revues. His studio attracted both high-society clientele and show business personalities. While many of his portraits were openly credited, he used backwards spellings of his name (YrélaW or similar variations) for his nude and risqué imagery — a clever form of self-censorship and anonymity designed to navigate laws and cultural norms concerning modesty and pornography in early 20th-century Europe. His works were widely reproduced as postcards, photogravures, and portfolio prints, making them highly collectible today. (SOLD)

Published in: on May 13, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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IRENE KING : PRETTY ACTRESS : FOLIES BERGERE : PHOTO BY WALERY : HAND TINTED

This vintage real photo postcard features performer, Irene King. The title on the card indicates that Miss King performed at the Folies Bergere, in Paris France. The portrait of Miss King was hand painted. She is wearing quite the interesting hat and elaborate and colorful dress. This photo portrait was taken by Walery at his Paris studio. He was a well known and talented celebrity photographer. The postcard was published by SIP as part of a series (no.5128). (SOLD)

Published in: on November 19, 2022 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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LA SYLPHE : ACTRESS & EXOTIC DANCER : EDITH LANGERFELD : RISQUE RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features American actress exotic dancer, La Sylphe. Her off stage name was Edith Lambelle Langerfeld (1883-1968). She attracted a great deal of attention in the 1890’s while performing at the Folies Bergere. She was born in New York City. Her father was German and her mother was Irish.Her father invented a machine used in the mining of coal. Edith was a dancer, but US laws prevented her from performing on stage due to her young age. The laws were more liberal abroad so when Edith turned six, she was taken abroad by her mother. She travelled around the world for eight years, spending the majority of her time performing in Europe. She became fluent in five language. During her second world tour, she was the primary dancer at the Alhambra Theatre in London. Next, she performed at the aforementioned Folies Bergere. Her debut in the US occurred when she was fourteen. In 1899, she introduced her rendition of “The Vision of Salome” dance. When “Salome” was banned by the Metropolitan Opera in 1907, La Sylphe’s popularity in the US soared. She named her performances “The Remorse of Salome”. She adopted the Far East body dance, otherwise known as “the houchee kouchee”. She began performing in vaudeville. She did toe dances, spanish castanet dances, muscle dances (belly dances),  and of course, the Salome dance. She also performed what she called the Devil dance. Some of her performances were risque. In one skit, her mid waist was covered by only pearls. In other performances she wore tights, picket fence skirts and a gossamer (light and thin) bodice. Her performances in New York shocked the public but the shows were tame compared to her routines in Europe. Some of her New York shows were attended by plainsclothes police officers to ensure that she did not cross over the morality boundary.. In 1919 and 1920, La Sylphe was in the cast of “George White’s Scandals”. Her performances included an Acrobatic act, as well as a Contortionist act. After 1928, she began performing in ballets. In one interview, La Sylphe expresses an interesting opinion about matrimony. In an article from “The Evening World” (1908), she states that being an old maid is a good idea. She asserts that she is going to be one. “Marriage is fine for men, but it’s rotten luck for a woman, This vintage real photo postcard was published by Philco as part of a series (No.3103A). The photo was taken by noted celebrity female photographer, Lallie Charles. (SOLD).

Published in: on July 13, 2022 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MISS PAULETTE: RISQUE PORTRAIT OF AN EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL ACTRESS

beauty unknown

The beautiful woman seen on this vintage real photo postcard is Miss Paulette. I have been unable to find biographical information about her. The former owner of this photo postcard identified her as Miss Paulette and stated she performed in Paris at the Folies Bergere, a cabaret music hall established in 1869. This portrait of the actress is risque for it’s era but it is certainly tastefully done. In an attempt to identify this actress, I came across the five postcards seen below. I believe that the pretty woman seen in the postcard above is Paulette Del Baye although I lack any concrete convincing evidence. This postcard has a German stamp that is postmarked in Rixdorf (a neighborhood in Berlin). The card was postmarked 1912.  The postcard was published by Neue Photographische Gesellschaft (NPG) which was located in Berlin and Stuttgart, Germany.The company was in business between 1894 and 1948. It was founded by Arthur Black (1862-1943) and it became one of the most well known and largest companies involved in the production of postcards.   SOLD

 

Vintage French RPPC Postcard Artist Stage Star Miss Paulette   Paulette

Image result for postcard Miss paulette  Paulette

Image result for postcard Miss paulette  Paulette Del Baye

Image result for postcard Miss paulette  Paulette Del Baye

c-1907-French-Theater-Beauty-Mlle-DEBRIVES-fashion-tinted-photo-postcard  Paulette Debrives

Paulette Debrives

Published in: on September 16, 2017 at 8:38 pm  Comments (5)  
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