This uncommon vintage real photo postcard features pretty American silent film actress, Octavia Handworth (1887-1978). She was of Danish heritage. She showed much musical talent as a youngster and she was sent to Copenhagen to live with relatives and study music. She returned to the US at age twelve, continued music studies and was hired by an opera company at age sixteen. However, she determined that her real passion was for acting. She was married to Harry Handworth, an actor, producer and film director. Handworth headed Excelsior Feature Film Company. Her second marriage was to actor, Gordon De Main. She began her acting career on stage on the East Coast. She is known for the films “When Fate Leads Trump” (1914), “The Path Forbidden” (1914), “The Great Ruby” (1915), and “Too Much Bull” (1915). Much of her career, she appeared in short films for companies like Pathe, and Lubin. She did however make a half dozen feature films. There was much competition to become a major actress in film, and Octavia failed to reach that status. She retired from acting in 1921 after appearing in the film, “Footlights”. According to the IMDb, Octavia has 61 acting credits between 1910 and 1921. This postcard presents Octavia with a bit of an impish expression. This card was published by Kraus Manufacturing Company (New York) for the Pathe film company. Interestingly, the caption on the front of the card describes Octavia’s appearance. She is said to be blonde, light complexioned, and to have had gray eyes. SOLD
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