This real photo postcard features a portrait of an adorable American film and television actress named Doris Kenyon (1897-1979). She grew up in Syracuse, New York. Her father was a minister and poet. He was a protege of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Doris studied at Packer College, and later on, at Columbia University (Barnard). Her brother was a dentist and New York assemblyman. She sang in choirs and she was “discovered” by Broadway theatrical scouts who persuaded her to pursue the stage. In 1915, at just 17 years of age, she became a chorus girl. That same year, she began her film career. She starred opposite Rudolph Valentino in a 1924 film. She married actor Milton Sills and she starred with him in “The Unguarded Hour (1925) for First National Pictures. The film company’s logo appears in the lower corner of this card’s image. It is likely that this card was published in the mid 1920’s. Kenyon successfully transitioned into sound films. She acted opposite major stars of her era. These actors included George Arliss, John Barrymore, and Ramon Navarro. Kenyon was also a talented singer. She toured the country doing concerts. Her talent also included singing in several different languages. Kenyon was also active in radio and television. Television appearances included “Secret Storm” and “77 Sunset Strip”. Kenyon appeared in five Broadway shows between 1915 and 1924. At one point in her career, she started her own production company. Kenyon married four times. She was married for ten years to her first husband until he died. Husbands two and three occupied that position for about a year each and husband four died after about four years of marriage. Interestingly, Doris Day was named Doris because her mother was a major fan of Doris Kenyon. (SOLD)
A father and his child pose in their winter clothing for photographer J. P. Benjamin in Pipestone, Minnesota. Both are wearing outer coats and snow hats. No biographical information could be found concerning the photographer of this cabinet card other than he was active in Minnesota in the 1880’s. Pipestone is located in southwest Minnesota. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow mentioned the beautiful stone area around Pipestone in one of his poems (Hiawatha). The town was established by two settlers who wanted to visit the site mentioned in the poem. A pipestone quarry is located about a mile north of the town and it was named a National Monument in 1937. This cabinet card has a very slight bow and is in very good condition (see scans).
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 