39.00 USD

Born William Julian Dalton, near Boston Mass., Julian Eltinge (1881-1941), was one of the most famous female impersonators of the 20th century. Making his Broadway debut in 1904 just a few years before this portrait was made, he soon rose to international stardom, both in vaudeville, and on the silent screen.

At the height of his fame, he starred with a young Rudolph Valentino (not as a woman, but as a man, a la Jack Lemmon's character opposite Tony Curtis in "Some Like it Hot"), had stage sets for one of his reviews designed by Erté, a theater named after him on 42nd Street in NYC, and luxuriated in one of the more palatial mansions of Southern California.

As to the most often asked question, it remains unanswered. No lover of either gender ever emerged, though he himself (those days being what they were) is said to have adopted a hyper-masculine demeanor when out of character, going so far as to physically attack stage hands, or even members of the audience, who were careless enough to suggest out loud that he might be homosexual. When stars of the period who knew him well were asked what they believed his private inclinations were, it seems that as often as not, they could go either way...oops :)

As vaudeville faded, so did his star, and by the late 1930s, Mr. Eltinge was reduced to working nightclubs, a far cry from the fame he'd enjoyed just a decade previously. One night in 1941, he grew too ill to finish a set, and just 10 days later, died at home of a cerebral hemorrhage.

This wonderful image though, takes us back to his salad days.
What a fantastic card. We're so pleased to have found such a gem of theatrical history to share, particularly since the image pre-dates the most successful period of his career (the late 1910s). Nice condition, with minor wear to edges and corners, and writing on the back side.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

22.00 USD

Gorgeous print, gorgeous ruffles! And a very cute model with attitude :) Right around 1910, is our guess. Very nice unposted condition on this lovely old German card. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

18.00 USD

Henri Manuel (1874-1947) was one of the most important portrait photographers in Paris during the early 1900s. He and his brother Gaston opened their Paris studio in 1900, and by 1914 Monsieur Manuel was serving as the official photographer of the French government, a post he held until 1944.

This is one of four very early images of stage performers taken by Monsieur Manuel that we recently acquired. All four are associated by text in the upper right corner with the Cigale theater, a cabaret built in 1887, and remodeled in 1894. We have two images of la Cigale to share with you in our listing images. Neither are for sale. The first one (listing image number four) bears the date 1894 in large numerals on the false gable, indicating that the image was made post-remodeling, and the second photo, from a card posted in 1916, is perhaps following yet another major change, as the building's face is very different. You can just see the Art Nouveau lettering over the door. Wonderful!

Though the old theater has gone through many changes over the last hundred and thirty years, it is open for business in this present day.

Mlle. Angarde, Queen of the Dragonflies! What a great costume, and lovely hair!. Like the artistes pictured on the other three of these early Manuel images, she was perhaps not so very well known, as we can find no history on her. Of course we wish we could take in her act, but at least with this wonderful image we can celebrate her contribution to la Belle Epoque :)

A lovely, early, Henri Manuel card, Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

18.00 USD

Henri Manuel (1874-1947) was one of the most important portrait photographers in Paris during the early 1900s. He and his brother Gaston opened their Paris studio in 1900, and by 1914 Monsieur Manuel was serving as the official photographer of the French government, a post he held until 1944.

This is one of four very early images of stage performers taken by Monsieur Manuel that we recently acquired. All four are associated by text in the upper right corner with the Cigale theater, a cabaret built in 1887, and remodeled in 1894. We have two images of la Cigale to share with you in our listing images. Neither are for sale. The first one (listing image number four) bears the date 1894 in large numerals on the false gable, indicating that the image was made post-remodeling, and the second photo, from a card posted in 1916, is perhaps following yet another major change, as the building's face is very different. You can just see the Art Nouveau lettering over the door. Wonderful!

Though the old theater has gone through many changes over the last hundred and thirty years, it is open for business in this present day.

Mlle. Létinois is a wonderful fairy, draped in veils and with a staff of glittering stars. Like the artistes pictured on the other three of these early Manuel images, she was perhaps not so very well known, as we can find no history on her. Of course we wish we could take in her act, but at least with this wonderful image we can celebrate her contribution to la Belle Epoque :)

A lovely, early, Henri Manuel card, Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

18.00 USD

Henri Manuel (1874-1947) was one of the most important portrait photographers in Paris during the early 1900s. He and his brother Gaston opened their Paris studio in 1900, and by 1914 Monsieur Manuel was serving as the official photographer of the French government, a post he held until 1944.

This is one of four very early images of stage performers taken by Monsieur Manuel that we recently acquired. All four are associated by text in the upper right corner with the Cigale theater, a cabaret built in 1887, and remodeled in 1894. We have two images of la Cigale to share with you in our listing images. Neither are for sale. The first one (listing image number four) bears the date 1894 in large numerals on the false gable, indicating that the image was made post-remodeling, and the second photo, from a card posted in 1916, is perhaps following yet another major change, as the building's face is very different. You can just see the Art Nouveau lettering over the door. Wonderful!

Though the old theater has gone through many changes over the last hundred and thirty years, it is open for business in this present day.

Mlle. Séviane is very Mother Nature-like in her fancy floral costume. Like the artistes pictured on the other three of these early Manuel images, she was perhaps not so very well known, as we can find no history on her. At least in her case, we have found a couple of other images in which she is dressed in the voluminous ruffled skirts of a can-can dancer, so we can guess she was a dancer. Of course we wish we could take in her act, but at least with this wonderful image we can celebrate her contribution to la Belle Epoque :)

A lovely, early, Henri Manuel card, Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

18.00 USD

Henri Manuel (1874-1947) was one of the most important portrait photographers in Paris during the early 1900s. He and his brother Gaston opened their Paris studio in 1900, and by 1914 Monsieur Manuel was serving as the official photographer of the French government, a post he held until 1944.

This is one of four very early images of stage performers taken by Monsieur Manuel that we recently acquired. All four are associated by text in the upper right corner with the Cigale theater, a cabaret built in 1887, and remodeled in 1894. We have two images of la Cigale to share with you in our listing images. Neither are for sale. The first one (listing image number four) bears the date 1894 in large numerals on the false gable, indicating that the image was made post-remodeling, and the second photo, from a card posted in 1916, is perhaps following yet another major change, as the building's face is very different. You can just see the Art Nouveau lettering over the door. Wonderful!

Though the old theater has gone through many changes over the last hundred and thirty years, it is open for business in this present day.

Mlle. Delalande is dressed in an oh so charming costume festooned with musical notes. Like the artistes pictured on the other three of these early Manuel images, she was perhaps not so very well known, as we can find no history on her. Of course we wish we could take in her act, but at least with this wonderful image we can celebrate her contribution to la Belle Epoque :)

A lovely, early, Henri Manuel card, Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

27.00 USD

Jean Agelou was a very sought after French photographer between the early 1900s and 1920, and is quite collectible today. He was responsible for a large percentage of risque and nude, or what became known as "french" postcards, during this period. Mlle. Fernande, widely known as "Miss Fernande," was one of his models, and if the stories are true, his lover for many years. This is an unusual image of her, as the wig she is wearing gives her a very different appearance, but we are fairly certain this is she. A nice, unposted card. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of sudden increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

19.00 USD

So sweet! Love the whole Art Nouveau preoccupation with the old world. Great stuff. The lovely young brunette playing the male part is holding the ancient double flute (called the Aulos, in ancient Greece), which Plato associated with the ecstatic cults of Dionysus! (thank you Wikipediia!) Click once on the image to get a nice close up. Great resolution, and these two were So charming. Minor corner and edge wear with a couple of tiny creases in corners. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of sudden increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

14.00 USD

Beautiful hand-colored portrait of Renee Desprez, a huge star of la Belle Epoque. Photograph by Reutlinger of Paris. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of sudden increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

8.00 USD

Wonderful image that shows very directly a renaissance "effect," or accessory, of the sort that was common in "Art Nouveau" fashion. We can't be certain if the beaded netting is directly sewn onto the bodice, or if the netting, collar, etc., are simply slipped on and tacked into place, which would make good sense from the costumer's, or dresser's perspective. We could definitely see this being done very well by some crafty Etsyenne!
A very nice card, posted in 1910. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of sudden increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

18.00 USD

Wonderful image by Herr Gerlach of silent film Queen Fern Andra with horse. We love this series of cards.

The Ogden Standard-Examiner, in 1927, recounted one of Fern Andra's many escapades in Germany during the First World War, at which time, accused of espionage, she was housed in a prisoner of war camp, and only weeks away from execution by firing squad. But, Kaiser Wilhelm (apparently a fan) interceded on her behalf. Could that have been true? Perhaps. Who can say at this point?

The Germans did in fact suspect her of spying during that war, and later in her life she acknowledged that she had acted as a courier for the allies, memorizing coded secrets and carrying that information to American agents in Copenhagen, Denmark.

In 1922, American newspapers reported that "German" film actress, Fern Andra, had been killed in an aeroplane crash in Germany, the plane having been piloted by no lesser a personage than Lothar von Richthofen, a WWI flying ace and the brother of the "Bloody" Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen. Lothar von Richthofen had also perished in the crash. True?

Well, not any part having to do with Miss Andra, no. She was not actually a German actress but an American one, who was called the "German Mary Pickford," and was one of the biggest stars of the silent film industry in that country (and in all of Europe) between the mid 1910s and the mid 1920s. She hadn't been killed in the plane crash either, but was the sole survivor, though very badly hurt.

By that time, she was better known as the Baroness Fern Andra, since to avoid further accusations of spying during the war, she had married the Baron Friedrich von Weichs, a nephew of Empress Zita of Austria and also a former member of the Baron von Richthofen's fighter squadron. Though her husband, Baron von Weichs was killed in that war, Miss Andra held fast to the title of Baroness for the rest of her days, and over a few subsequent marriages.

Born in 1893 Illinois, the stepdaughter of a high wire performer and a mother she claimed was an opera singer, but who after more recent research is thought to have been a backstage costume dresser and seamstress, she was named Vernal Edna Andrews, and it was likely under that plain old American name that she was performing in circus and vaudeville acts as a child (apparently she was up on the high wire at the tender age of four.

Fern Andra's adventures don't stop here. A remarkable life! She was a film actress in more than 80 motion pictures, a dancer, a circus and vaudeville performer, a screenwriter, a director, a producer, an aviatrix, yes, and perhaps a spy. She not only fell under suspicion of spying for the allies against Germany in the first world war, but twenty years later, because of her long residence in Germany, and an association (no one says just how personal) with a young scriptwriter named Joseph Goebbels (many, many years before he became one of the most important figures of Hitler's Third Reich), she also fell under suspicion by the U.S. government of spying on Germany's behalf during the run up to WWII. Her story goes on and on... but we can't.

Google this gal! and definitely follow this link to Youtube, where you can see her in the wonderful German Expessionist horror film "Genuine," by the director of "The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari," Robert Weine. Miss Andra performed in the title role, and wore it well.
She doesn't wear much else, actually. The film caused quite a furor, because much of her costume was quite literally painted on! Make popcorn and settle in. Great fun :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4dwATAiq4c

A magically atmospheric image by the great Georg Gerlach of Berlin, in very nice unposted condition.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

33.00 USD

Not long ago we ran across a collection of postcards picturing a number of Belle Epoque stage performers, and signed or dedicated by them to a Madame Pouillot. This is a card out of that collection.

If you know a little about the collectible market, you will understand how these collections appear; someones great grandchild is cleaning out the attic, and coming across an old postcard album decides to sell it, or give it away, or perhaps someone passes away and an entire estate is liquidated, and a little collection of personal heirlooms suddenly appears on the market. That is probably how this card, along with those others we saw, appeared.

Why would Alice de Tender, one of our favorite Belle Epoque dancers, be dedicating this card to a Madame Pouillot? Well, we started digging, and found a reference in a theatrical magazine from 1912 of a fishing contest held at a lake in Paris in the summertime, when many of the artistes were taking a break. In fact this contest was limited to theatrical people only.

The author of the article mentioned a Madame Pouillot who was the guest of honor at the contest, but not so much as an artiste, but as a loved and honored personage. Apparently Madame Pouillot was a very wealthy woman, a patron of the arts, who had done much for theater people in Paris, even opening a home for actor's children there (perhaps a place for the children to live when the performers were away on tour?), and at the same time the author hinted at a recent bereavement, how Mme. visited the tomb of her husband on that day.

So what we are thinking, is that when Mme. Pouillot's husband passed away, or perhaps on another occasion, she received these cards from her many friends and admirer's in the theater, and kept them together lovingly. We'll keep researching her, but unfortunately she doesn't appear to have been famous enough that we've found anything beyond what we've related here.

Mlle. de Tender wrote, "Mon plus gentil sourire a Madame Pouillot," which translates as "My nicest smile for Madame Pouillot" which implies to us, that this was one of Mlle. de Tender's favorite images of herself, and also is such a sweet sentiment, and now we can share in her "nicest smile" too!

A lovely card, with a lovely personal touch, in carefully preserved unposted condition.

Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

16.00 USD

Félix Potin (1820-1871) was a 19th century French entrepreneur who opened a factory (later factories), producing and packaging goods under his name brand, and selling them in his shops. He opened his first store in 1844, and his company eventually expanded into a chain of over a thousand stores. Wikipedia, from whom we got the bulk of our info for this listing, suggests that the old Woolworth's five and dime chain based their business model on Potin's.

Our fifth listing image (Not for sale, as it is not even our postcard but an image we found online) is of one of those shops.

Monsieur Potin also offered home delivery of his products, and with some purchases gave away these handy-dandy trading cards with real photo images of famous people. Sports figures, writers, artists, and famous figures from many walks of life appeared on them. Potin's customers loved them.

They collected them, traded them, and stored them in special Félix Potin issued card albums for safe keeping. Perhaps that is why, as tiny as these little gems are (3, by 1 and 3/4 inches, or approx 4 and 1/2, by 7 and 1/2 cm.), there are so many of them out there. That is also why most of those we come across have album residue affixed to the back sides.

Most of these cards are relatively common, or we would not be able to offer them at these prices, but there are a few very sought after cards out there. One of them, or so we've read online, is a card featuring famous American fighter, Jack Dempsey, that is apparently valued at upwards of three hundred dollars!

All of the trading cards in our mini collections are from the second series offered by Monsieur Potin in, we believe, 1907. They are all in quite good condition though showing some wear, and despite the album residue on the backsides, are in very sturdy condition (if anything sturdier for the residue rather than otherwise).

We thought that since these stage artiste cards figure well into our venue here, we would offer our customers a few little "mini collections" in our artifacts section. These are real photographic prints of good detail and clarity. Really very nice items.

*Please note that these mini collections count as a single item sale and do not, when purchased on their own, qualify for free shipping.

Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two paper goods items, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more paper goods items from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

19.00 USD

Félix Potin (1820-1871) was a 19th century French entrepreneur who opened a factory (later factories), producing and packaging goods under his name brand, and selling them in his shops. He opened his first store in 1844, and his company eventually expanded into a chain of over a thousand stores. Wikipedia, from whom we got the bulk of our info for this listing, suggests that the old Woolworth's five and dime chain based their business model on Potin's.

Our fifth listing image (Not for sale, as it is not even our postcard but an image we found online) is of one of those shops.

Monsieur Potin also offered home delivery of his products, and with some purchases gave away these handy-dandy trading cards with real photo images of famous people. Sports figures, writers, artists, and famous figures from many walks of life appeared on them. Potin's customers loved them.

They collected them, traded them, and stored them in special Félix Potin issued card albums for safe keeping. Perhaps that is why, as tiny as these little gems are (3, by 1 and 3/4 inches, or approx 4 and 1/2, by 7 and 1/2 cm.), there are so many of them out there. That is also why most of those we come across have album residue affixed to the back sides.

Most of these cards are relatively common, or we would not be able to offer them at these prices, but there are a few very sought after cards out there. One of them, or so we've read online, is a card featuring famous American fighter, Jack Dempsey, that is apparently valued at upwards of three hundred dollars!

All of the trading cards in our mini collections are from the second series offered by Monsieur Potin in, we believe, 1907. They are all in quite good condition though showing some wear, and despite the album residue on the backsides, are in very sturdy condition (if anything sturdier for the residue rather than otherwise).

We thought that since these stage artiste cards figure well into our venue here, we would offer our customers a few little "mini collections" in our artifacts section. These are real photographic prints of good detail and clarity. Really very nice items.

*Please note that these mini collections count as a single item sale and do not, when purchased on their own, qualify for free shipping.

Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two paper goods items, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more paper goods items from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

19.00 USD

Félix Potin (1820-1871) was a 19th century French entrepreneur who opened a factory (later factories), producing and packaging goods under his name brand, and selling them in his shops. He opened his first store in 1844, and his company eventually expanded into a chain of over a thousand stores. Wikipedia, from whom we got the bulk of our info for this listing, suggests that the old Woolworth's five and dime chain based their business model on Potin's.

Our fifth listing image (Not for sale, as it is not even our postcard but an image we found online) is of one of those shops.

Monsieur Potin also offered home delivery of his products, and with some purchases gave away these handy-dandy trading cards with real photo images of famous people. Sports figures, writers, artists, and famous figures from many walks of life appeared on them. Potin's customers loved them.

They collected them, traded them, and stored them in special Félix Potin issued card albums for safe keeping. Perhaps that is why, as tiny as these little gems are (3, by 1 and 3/4 inches, or approx 4 and 1/2, by 7 and 1/2 cm.), there are so many of them out there. That is also why most of those we come across have album residue affixed to the back sides.

Most of these cards are relatively common, or we would not be able to offer them at these prices, but there are a few very sought after cards out there. One of them, or so we've read online, is a card featuring famous American fighter, Jack Dempsey, that is apparently valued at upwards of three hundred dollars!

All of the trading cards in our mini collections are from the second series offered by Monsieur Potin in, we believe, 1907. They are all in quite good condition though showing some wear, and despite the album residue on the backsides, are in very sturdy condition (if anything sturdier for the residue rather than otherwise).

We thought that since these stage artiste cards figure well into our venue here, we would offer our customers a few little "mini collections" in our artifacts section. These are real photographic prints of good detail and clarity. Really very nice items.

*Please note that these mini collections count as a single item sale and do not, when purchased on their own, qualify for free shipping.

Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two paper goods items, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more paper goods items from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

17.00 USD

Great image! Love those pointy shoes :) Marcelle Bordo was a popular Belle Epoque actress who appeared in many successful stage productions, and whose image graced the covers of major magazines of the time, like Le Rire and Paris qui Chante, Minor corner and edge wear.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for fully insured, first class, shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

17.00 USD

A hush falls over the audience. Even the calliope is silent now. The ringmaster, with an almost sinister air of mystery, doffs his black silk hat and bows deeply. The air is heavy with the smells of freshly roasted peanuts and apples, popcorn, sawdust, the manure of animals, the sweat of a closely packed crowd. All eyes are glued to the center ring in delighted anticipation of the unknown. What thrilling spectacle is about to unfold? We can expect tightrope-walkers, acrobats, dancers from strange and forbidden kingdoms, that daring young man, or woman, on the flying trapeze, jugglers and clowns. We are under the big top, the largest tent on the circus grounds, its central pole as big around as the trunk of a great tree, reaching from the eye-dazzling lights and sequined sparkles of the central ring, up, up into the heights of impenetrable darkness and gloom.
In this section, "Under the Big Top," we hope to entice you with the romantic images of circus performers, and of variety artists whose acts appeared on the bills not only of circuses, but of those variety shows that played on a stage, at a time when the movie industry was still in its earliest infancy, when, before the advent of television, or even radio, entertainment was always live.

Awesome early circus photo of an artiste by the name of Saltorelli. We cannot find any history on her, unfortunately. We are not thrilled with the print quality on this one, nor by the surface blemishes. This is an instance, believe it or not, of our scans actually making the card look worse than it appears face to face. The little white dots are certainly blemishes of some sort, but not really as noticeable as they seem in the close up.

Few of our customers, as far as we know, are stamp collectors, but there must be a few of them who drop by now and again. It would make sense, since we largely purchase our stock with image and history in mind, and so don't look too closely at most of the stamps, and we have no doubt that some fairly valuable ones have slipped by us.

The collection of "covers" (simply, and we hope correctly described as, postcards and envelopes that bear stamps and cancellations), is a field where postcard collecting and stamp collecting overlap.

When one of our postcards bears a canceled stamp, it becomes a cover. This particular cover, bearing a Principaute de Monaco red 10c Albert, posted to Paris in 1904, would appear to be valued (in the online stamp world) at somewhere between 15 and 50 dollars. We're just throwing that out there as a point of possible interest, but as usual are basing our price on image, history, perceived scarcity and condition.

A lovely circus item, with some wear to surface, corners and edges. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of sudden increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

12.00 USD

Really lovely contrast and tone on this one! Published by DIX, circa 1910s we are guessing. Could have been printed a little earlier, or later. Though we haven't found the evidence yet, we are wondering if DIX, like REX, was another publishing label of Papeterie de Levallois-Clichy, otherwise known as P-C Paris.
A truly lovely card, in any case. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for fully insured, first class, shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

22.00 USD

We have never seen an example of La Cavalieri's signature on a postcard before. We DO NOT believe this to be an actual autograph, though it may well be her signature, reproduced, which in and of itself makes this an unusual card. Though some artistes of the period made frequent use of reproduced signatures on their postcards (De Merode, and Otero, for example), this one is a first for us. But we have not run across this particular image before, either. From her costume, we think it is one from a Reutlinger series often associated with an appearance of hers in St. Petersburg, but the publisher of this image may be Italian, and they may have purchased the rights to this image from Reutlinger, resulting in its being less common.

Naturally, when we first saw a scan of this card before purchasing it for the shop, we were hoping we had found an autographed Cavalieri image! It's tough to judge from a scan. Why don't we think this is a real autograph? If the card is held in the proper light, the silvering is evident on the surface of the card floating "over" the signature. We are, by no means, experts, but many of you probably know that the lovely glow we call "silvering," is a chemical reaction that occurs over time in which the light sensitive metallic salts that were originally held in place on the surface of the photo print paper by a gelatinous compound, gradually migrate to the surface of the photographic print. Although there were many such metallic salts used in photography (still are), bromide of silver was one commonly used, hence the term "silvering."

It seems very unlikely to us that an actual ink signature would show even silvering over its surface without any difference in surface appearance between it, and the print upon which the signature was written, because the ink from a pen, would have covered the print's surface, not allowing the salts to migrate upwards. Make sense?

In our listing images, though *not for sale*, is a scan of what seems to be a DVD case that offers us another reproduction of her signature. Closely examined, they are not identical, but are close enough to let us believe that this was, for a time at least (signatures change over the years, of course), a signature she used.

A wonderful card (relatively rare, from our limited perspective), with some wear to corners. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of sudden increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!

22.00 USD

Artist Alphonse Mucha designed a poster to represent that Queen of the Stage, Sarah Bernhardt, as she appeared in Sardou's "Gismonda," in an 1895 production, that we believe she also directed.

We have an image of that poster as listing image number three (not for sale). We've read that his intention was not to capture her physical features in that image (which he clearly did a number of times), so much as to capture the essence of her personality as she portrayed the character on the stage.

This portrait by Nadar, or at least this postcard, was printed after 1904, so a good decade after the premiere showing of Gismonda, but Bernhardt was so fond of Mucha's poster, that she continued to use it as promotional material long past its first use in 1895.

Wonderful photo by Nadar, wonderful costume, wonderful card!
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!