MARCELLE LENDER : FRENCH SINGER AND DANCER : MODELLED FOR TOULOUSE-LAUTREC

This uncommon vintage real photo postcard features French singer, dancer and entertainer, Marcelle Lender (1862-1926). Lender was also famous for her modelling in paintings by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Lender began dancing at age sixteen and quickly escalated her fame by performing at the Theatre des Varietes in Paris, France. Lender was the model for several works by Lautrec. Her most notable appearance in his paintings was of her dancing the Bolero, in full costume, during an 1895 performance of “Chilperic”. That painting is today in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. This postcard portrait of Miss Lender was taken by the famed Reutlinger studio. The card was published by the English firm, Rotary Photo. SOLD

MISS LEONIE YAHNE : PRETTY FRENCH COMEDIC ACTRESS : PHOTO BY LEOPOLD REUTLINGER

This vintage real photo postcard features French comedic actress, Leonie Yahne (1867-1950). She spent most of her career acting on the stages of Paris. She was an active performer between 1884 and 1917. In 1895, she was drawn in a stage role by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. In 1913, Yahne appeared in a silent film short with actor, Max Linder. In 1911, Yahne was a victor in a lawsuit against a Paris entertainer named “Yane”. The lawsuit concerned the other actress using a name too similar to Yahne’s moniker.  Yahne was reported to be a society favorite who was expert with foils and horsemanship. It was also noted that Yahne’s driving style made her a terror on the roads of France. The photograph on this postcard was taken by celebrated portrait photographer, Leopold Reutlinger. His studio was located in Paris, France. He photographed many theatrical stars and other celebrities. SOLD