18.00 USD

Little Pierrot and His Columbinette, Hand-Tinted Card, Posted 1910

So much to love about this wonderfully hand-colored card. The children really are much cuter than buttons, and their costumes are lovely. The light scribble technique that frames the photo image creates a mixed media effect you find every now and then in photo images from this time, not just postcards, but on RPPCs produced in smaller studios as well.

Only this morning, the two Reds were actually discussing the long and successful life of Pierrot and his friends in European arts and media. Yes, believe it or not, we really do sit around and ponder this stuff over breakfast tea and toast. Weird huh? :)

So we were wondering if they maintained popularity for so long because there was no internet, no television, no radio, and the public, encountering them less frequently, were able to maintain warm feelings for them without burning out over a few months of constant exposure as happens today. We do love Pierrot, Columbine and Harlequin, just as we love Mignon. They are a bit like quiet friends who drop in frequently, spreading warmth and good cheer.

A lovely card posted from Vienna, just a few years before the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Very nice posted 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!

24.00 USD

Another wonderful boudoir/lingerie image! Lots of ribbon and ruffles, and a very cute German model :) This card was published by NPG (the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft) of Berlin, the company begun by Arthur Schwarz of Berlin at the turn of the century that became the leading photo image postcard publisher in the world for a good many years. If you can zoom in on this image, you will be able to appreciate the quality of this print and see why they were so successful!

For this card, NPG made use of their patented Oranotypie process.
We wish there was more information readily available on this and other processes for photo printing at that time. There must have been hundreds, if not thousands, being used and adapted, but very little history remains accessible. The one thing we do know, is that the Oranotypie process produced a very superior quality print.

We recently read somewhere or other on a modern blog or forum that this process was very similar to the Photochromie process. We feel pretty uncertain about that.
The Photochromie, Photochrom, or Photochrome, process was an early, and very successful attempt at affordable high quality color tinted photographs. Really almost a mixed media effect, it overlaid a photo print from a black and white film negative onto a series of color lithograph stone plates creating what Wikipedia described as a kind of photographic chromolithograph. Our fourth image listing (not for sale!) offers an example of a Photochromie image. Quite wonderful, we think, but any tinted Oranotypes we've seen, were, as far as we knew, hand-colored, not lithograph printed, and of course our lingerie card is not color tinted at all.

In any case, a very nice unposted card that will go in our risque section, since in its day it would have been considered so, despite the fact that in our present day, it's difficult to find anything really risque in this lovely fashion history image :)

Lovely 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!

22.00 USD

Nina Barkis was an important and popular performer during the latter period of the Belle Epoque. This is clear because over at least a decade there were postcard portraits of her produced by many of the important theatrical photographers of the time, Walery, Gerlach, Reutlinger, Stebbing, etc., and she also appeared on the covers of theater magazines like Comoedia Illustré.

The most easily found of her images seem to be out of a couple of series by Walery in which she appears "avec collant" (in a faux-nude, elastic "union suit") posing in various of the then so very popular "poses plastique."

Unfortunately, we've found nothing in the way of biography on Mlle. Barkis, but we'll keep looking.

This Gerlach image is a really wonderful and evocative one. Very maenad-ish, it is from a series produced by him circa 1907. We can date this card fairly accurately because of the P.R.A. (Photographischer Reproduktions Anstalten) emblem found in the stamp box on the back of the card. The PRA was an organization of silver-bromide photo postcard printers and publishers (hundreds of them in fact) primarily organized by Arthur Schwarz of NPG in around 1906, in an attempt to maintain cost and quality control throughout the industry. It was dissolved circa 1908, to be replaced by the longer lasting N.B.C. (no relation to the broadcasting company). If this kind of detailed postcard history stirs your soup, follow the link below to "The Postcard Album," a wonderful site we visit frequently in our researches.

http://www.tpa-project.info/html/body_rp_card_cartels.html

There is evidence of what appears to have been a spill of some kind, on one edge of the card's back but of which only a shadow is evident on the front. Some wear to edges and corners as well.

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!

12.00 USD

Lutece (pronounced LOO-tess) was the public persona of the lovely young woman in this photograph. We have not yet dug up any biographical information on her, which is a bit surprising given the number of images of her we've run across. Nearly all of the photos we've seen were taken by Leopold Reutlinger of Paris, the well known theatrical portraitist, and nearly all of them have her attired in that "classical" garb so popular during la Belle Epoque, and as much a fixture in Art Nouveau painting and sculpture as the "costume orientale."

Like another popular postcard model of the period, Mlle. Doll, Lutece is most often pictured in a natural setting, by stream, or virgin spring, and particularly in sweet meadows. But while Doll was often photographed in the woodlands, with squirrels, bunnies, deer, peacocks, etc., giving her photographs a distinctly fairy tale feel, Lutece's images were of a more "antiquated" variety, like scenes out of classical Greek, or Roman, myth. She was pictured playing the lyre, or pipes, worshipfully holding aloft a bunch of grapes, or nibbling at them, and as for wildlife, white doves seemed to love congregating near her.

And her name was well suited to her, because Lutece is the French word for the Latin Lutetia, or Lutetia Parisiorum, the 3rd Century b.c.e. home of the Parisii, an ancient Gallic people who it is thought first settled the area that became the Roman town, Lutetia, and where now stands the city of lights, Paris. Perhaps she represented to theater goers their forgotten origins, in a simpler, more magical, "golden" time, that La Belle Epoque, the "beautiful era," seemed always to be reaching toward.

Also like Doll, we really know nothing yet about her performance art, whether she was an actress, a singer, a dancer, or simply a lovely young woman whose images sparked Monsieur Reutlinger's, and the public's imaginations.


A very nice, unposted card, circa 1900.

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!

12.00 USD

Bacchus ventures, "Oh Beauteous One, answer me true. What are my chances?"

To which Lutece replies, "Perhaps as much as...this...thou silly goat." :)

Lutece (pronounced LOO-tess) was the public persona of the lovely young woman in this photograph. We have not yet dug up any biographical information on her, which is a bit surprising given the number of images of her we've run across. Nearly all of the photos we've seen were taken by Leopold Reutlinger of Paris, the well known theatrical portraitist, and nearly all of them have her attired in that "classical" garb so popular during la Belle Epoque, and as much a fixture in Art Nouveau painting and sculpture as the "costume orientale."

Like another popular postcard model of the period, Mlle. Doll, Lutece is most often pictured in a natural setting, by stream, or virgin spring, and particularly in sweet meadows. But while Doll was often photographed in the woodlands, with squirrels, bunnies, deer, peacocks, etc., giving her photographs a distinctly fairy tale feel, Lutece's images were of a more "antiquated" variety, like scenes out of classical Greek, or Roman, myth. She was pictured playing the lyre, or pipes, worshipfully holding aloft a bunch of grapes, or nibbling at them, and as for wildlife, white doves seemed to love congregating near her.

And her name was well suited to her, because Lutece is the French word for the Latin Lutetia, or Lutetia Parisiorum, the 3rd Century b.c.e. home of the Parisii, an ancient Gallic people who it is thought first settled the area that became the Roman town, Lutetia, and where now stands the city of lights, Paris. Perhaps she represented to theater goers their forgotten origins, in a simpler, more magical, "golden" time, that La Belle Epoque, the "beautiful era," seemed always to be reaching toward.

Also like Doll, we really know nothing yet about her performance art, whether she was an actress, a singer, a dancer, or simply a lovely young woman whose images sparked Monsieur Reutlinger's, and the public's imaginations.


A very nice, unposted card, circa 1900.

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!

12.00 USD

Lutece (pronounced LOO-tess) was the public persona of the lovely young woman in this photograph. We have not yet dug up any biographical information on her, which is a bit surprising given the number of images of her we've run across. Nearly all of the photos we've seen were taken by Leopold Reutlinger of Paris, the well known theatrical portraitist, and nearly all of them have her attired in that "classical" garb so popular during la Belle Epoque, and as much a fixture in Art Nouveau painting and sculpture as the "costume orientale."

Like another popular postcard model of the period, Mlle. Doll, Lutece is most often pictured in a natural setting, by stream, or virgin spring, and particularly in sweet meadows. But while Doll was often photographed in the woodlands, with squirrels, bunnies, deer, peacocks, etc., giving her photographs a distinctly fairy tale feel, Lutece's images were of a more "antiquated" variety, like scenes out of classical Greek, or Roman, myth. She was pictured playing the lyre, or pipes, worshipfully holding aloft a bunch of grapes, or nibbling at them, and as for wildlife, white doves seemed to love congregating near her.

And her name was well suited to her, because Lutece is the French word for the Latin Lutetia, or Lutetia Parisiorum, the 3rd Century b.c.e. home of the Parisii, an ancient Gallic people who it is thought first settled the area that became the Roman town, Lutetia, and where now stands the city of lights, Paris. Perhaps she represented to theater goers their forgotten origins, in a simpler, more magical, "golden" time, that La Belle Epoque, the "beautiful era," seemed always to be reaching toward.

Also like Doll, we really know nothing yet about her performance art, whether she was an actress, a singer, a dancer, or simply a lovely young woman whose images sparked Monsieur Reutlinger's, and the public's imaginations.


A very nice, unposted card, circa 1900.

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!

9.00 USD

Probably published sometime between 1905 and 1910, this is a charming image depicting a European peasant girl in traditional dress. Lovely and atmospheric. Unfortunately there is a crease in the lower left corner. 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!

24.00 USD

According to the writing on the back of this card, this somber Pierrette is Princess Alma, the daughter of King Nicolo, from a scene in the play "Konig Nicolo, oder So ist das Leben" (King Nicolas, or Such is Life) by Frank Wedekind, a prominent and controversial figure in German theater of the Jugendstil Epoche. An author, actor and cabaret performer, he led German theater from the norm of pre 20th century Realism into the unexplored territory of Expressionism.

Today, he is probably best known for the play "Die Büchse der Pandora" (Pandora's Box, 1904) one of his three "Lulu plays" that in the 1920s became perhaps the most important vehicle (at least from the perspective of modern day cinema fans) for silent film star Louise Brooks.

The actress pictured on our card bears a close resemblance to actress Tilly Wedekind, Frank Wedekind's wife (and some say the obsession that drove him to his untimely death in 1918), but that's another story we have no room for in this listing today.

A very interesting unposted card, perhaps an RPPC, that will find its way into our artifacts section because of its historical connection.
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!

14.00 USD

Whoops! Like one of those dreams we have of going out in public, looking down, and finding ourselves undressed :)

We know that Albert Wyndham was an important figure in the risque postcard trade, but we can find no history on him. This one is silly, but such fun!
Nice, unposted condition. 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

As far as we can tell, Miss Olive Haygate was an English actress whose home, in the late 1890s, was London. Nevertheless, we don't run across images of her by British photographers, so perhaps she went to France before becoming famous. We should mention that during this time, it was not unheard of for British theatrical producers to own French theaters and music halls, and also to stock those theaters with British acts.

As to how well known she was in late 1890s London, we did come across a very interesting bit of history concerning her in 1897, at the Adelphi Theater. At this time, Miss Haygate was an under-study for a Miss Millward, which does suggest it was early in her career.

As the story goes, Miss Haygate met with a Frederic Lane (also an understudy, to then well known actor William Terriss), before rehearsal for a production. Lane told her, in a joking way, that he was certain to take over Terriss' role, as he had dreamt the night before of Terriss lying prostrate on a stair landing in the theater, with a group of actors and others surrounding him as if he was in a terrible state. Miss Haygate laughed with Lane at the silly superstitiousness of the idea, as did others to whom Lane recounted his dream, but as it turned out, the actor Terriss was stabbed to death that very night, and on that very stair landing! The murderer was another actor, named Archer (not Miles...that's another mystery story :), who apparently bore Terriss a long standing grudge, and was later judged to have been insane at the time the crime was committed.

However reliable, or otherwise, this account may be, we got it from a Google abstract of volume 14 of proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research. Included are letters of testimony from Miss Haygate and others. Below is the link to the abstract, if you'd like to read Haygate's letter in detail:

http://books.google.com/books?id=X1HYAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA310&lpg=PA310&dq=olive+haygate&source=bl&ots=MmdAjuEfv-&sig=vFIdNzQ9Khic_CE5mf3ICnhfYPs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mo0fU4OKDO_iyAGh44CgDQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=olive%20haygate&f=false

Great image of the lovely Miss Haygate in almost pristine unposted condition.
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!

16.00 USD

Natalie, or Nathalie, Kovanko (also Kowanko), 1899-1967 was born in Yalta, in the Ukraine. She made a number of films in Russia over a short period, then fleeing what became the Bolshevik's complete control over the film industry, emigrated to France with her husband, Victor Tourjansky. There, the two made more films, with Tourjansky directing.
There is a story that sometime after Tourjansky "discovered" French starlet Simone Simon (Cat People) in 1931, the two became romantically involved, and that this relationship led to the end of his marriage to Nathalia Kovanko. We don't know if this is true, but they did divorce, and Mlle. Kovanko stopped making films in the mid 30s, and eventually returned to Russia, where she passed away in the Ukraine, in 1967.

Wonderful turban image! The Ross Verlag code in the bottom left of image dates this card to 1927-28, which, since she wasn't appearing in many vehicles at that time, allows us to tie this image to her film, "Michel Strogoff," (1926) based on the Jules Verne adventure classic of the same name.

Follow the link below to a short clip from this film, in which we can see Nathalie Kovanko in action!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb-cvtcG9GY

A very nice 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 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!

19.00 USD

When the city fathers of Rien chose to plant, almost in the very center of the town square, a huge bronze sculpture of a cannon and crew mired courageously in the midst of battle gore and glory, Edith and her friends were very disappointed. After all, it was they who had worked to raise the funds for the project, and from the beginning it was understood that a graceful, thought provoking marble sculpture depicting Florence Nightingale offering aid to the wounded, would look serenely down upon passersby. But the city fathers wanted something more "definite," more "martial." That was how the mayor had put it, and after all, he WAS the mayor. What could be done?

Still, on the day of the bronze's unveiling, when the mayor grasped the gilded scissors in both his hands and cut through the silk ribbon with a decided "snip," only a few of the gathered townspeople actually noticed. Most of them were distracted, you see, by Edith and her friends, who suddenly appeared in costume and posed, just as you see here, directly behind the gathered crowd.

Each time the mayor opened his mouth to hold forth in a carefully practiced and dignified manner, the ladies would scramble into a new pose, effectively disrupting the ceremony.

The next morning, splashed across the front page of the local paper, was not a photograph of the mayor and the new bronze statue, but this one instead, of Edith and her friends.

And over the following five weeks, each morning as the mayor left his home for work, he was greeted by this living sculpture on his front lawn, and by a small crowd of local citizens who would gather to see what form the sculpture would take that day.

And if that wasn't bad enough, the poor man was forced to start each morning without the breakfast he was accustomed to eating, the breakfast only his wife, his dear Henriette, knew how to prepare, just so.

This was because Henriette, not only the mayor's wife, but also Edith's dearest friend, was far too busy changing into her costume, and couldn't spare the time to prepare his most important meal of the day.

So it was, that on a Monday, just five weeks and a day following the unveiling of the bronze, a short time, really, but one which must have seemed interminable to our poor mayor, the small crowd of curious onlookers that had gathered on the cobbled street in front of his fine house was rewarded with...nothing. The living sculpture did not materialize.

What did appear, however, was a brief announcement in the local newspaper, of work scheduled to begin on a white marble sculpture of Florence Nightingale, slightly larger than, and to be placed directly opposite, the bronze cannon crew in the town square.

Yes, once again, the goddess of harmony smiled down upon the little town of Rien.

Now you tell one :)

A great RPPC!
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 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

We don't usually find Alfred Noyer (the publisher) cards from this early in the century! How we love these group images! So cute, and what a catchy name, Les Cocktails! Just wonderful. Fitting too. Cocktails, though they may feel very modern, were around, in one form or another, for at least a hundred years before this card was published, and the word is considered by many to have been borrowed from the French! Yep, to quote Wikipedia,

"In New Orleans, the Sazarac was prepared using an eggcup measure as a jigger. The French for eggcup is "coquetier"..."and it is likely that the English word cocktail is simply a gastronomic loan-word from the French."

Unfortunately, the bottom right corner of this card was slightly bumped and rounded.
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 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!

19.00 USD

Such fun :) We love these promotional group images! The question is, were these ladies actually English? If so, the card was probably printed in Germany, since "English" was spelled with the very German "sch."

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 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!

24.00 USD

This wonderful RPPC is probably of a group of friends all "got" up for some féte, or other. A remarkable image in that this is almost certainly not a commercially published postcard, but one produced by a local photographer in his studio's darkroom, and the Pierrots and Pierrettes are not a troupe of professional players, but the composition is so perfect! We really love it! Look, they even went to the trouble of painting beauty marks on each of their faces :)
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 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

Many collectors of our cards seem to prefer the full length images to the head shots, and we understand that, but there are some close ups, like this one, that really help communicate the charm and beauty of a performer. Amazing image by Leopold Reutlinger of Paris, and beautifully hand-tinted.

Mlle. Dorgère (sometimes called La Divine Dorgere) was a favorite on the Parisian music hall scene, spending most of her time in Paris, while occasionally resting up at her chateau in the country. We include an image, ***not for sale***, of Chateau Dorgère (as it was called for a time), otherwise known as Chateau Vigneux, on the river Seine, to offer an idea of the kind of wealth accumulated and enjoyed by these well known Belle Epoque performers. Famed Belle Epoque poster artist Jules Cherét captured Mlle. Dorgère's image on a poster for the Scala Theater in 1904 an image of that poster, also ***not for sale***, is published in this listing.

Mlle. Dorgère did not perform only in France, but traveled extensively, appearing in locations as far afield as Rio De Janeiro in Brazil. According to one source, she moved to Morocco in 1929, where she quietly settled into retirement from the hustle and bustle of theater life.
This information was found in a very interesting blog entry (address below), whose focus seemed to be primarily on historic buildings.

http://dandylan.over-blog.com/article-du-ministre-cochon-a-la-belle-arlette-le-riche-passe-du-chateau-de-vigneux-98687119.html

A 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 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!

24.00 USD

English Girls and Young Ladies in Japanese Costume, circa 1903.

Superb RPPC (Real Photo Post Card) of 12 young women and girls wearing kimonos, holding fans, and most of them with chrysanthemums in their hair.

This was not a postcard produced by one of the big publishing houses like S.I.P., or Tuck. It was likely a souvenir photograph of a school performance cast, in a local studio, by a local photographer, or possibly even an amateur photographer, and developed in a garden shed they'd converted into a darkroom. Many RPPCs lack the smooth professional look of commercially produced cards, but that is part of their charm. The only difference between an RPPC and a standard photographic print (if there really is such a thing), is that the RPPC was printed on photo stock that was usually marked on the backside as a postcard, and was of the dimensions of a standard postcard at that time.

A nice thing about RPPCs, in terms of postcard and photograph collecting, is that by their very nature they are truly RARE. Think about it. England, 1903. It was a little over a hundred and ten years ago that this card was made, and between that time the people have been through two world wars, economic depressions, and the usual activities of living and moving about from place to place that people engage in. If 36 cards were produced (3 for each subject), and that's probably pushing things a bit, how many of them survived the last century? It is very possible that this card is the only remaining historical record of that moment and place in time. Precious, and irreplaceable.

Just for fun, follow the link below to hear the classic “Three Little Maids” from Gilbert and Sullivan's "Mikado," performed in the wonderful film “Topsy Turvy.” It's fun to think that this class may have performed that very song in costume!

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

We can date this card to 1902/3 (approximately) because of the text on the reverse side, which states, “For inland communication only this space may be used.”

This indicates first, that our card was printed during late, or after 1902, when England introduced the first “divided back” postcards, allowing a space for messages, even advertising, in the space so indicated. Prior to that time, the entire undivided backsides of cards had been reserved for the recipient's address only.

And second, that it was printed before 1904, when France had begun adopting the same format. The U.S.A., incidentally, did not adopt the divided back format until late 1906. And if someone in England had decided to ignore the rules and write a love note on the back of this card, and then post it to Paris (how romantic :), attentive postal clerks might simply have tossed the card into a waste bin, or very often, would have appended a postage due fee to be paid by the recipient! (not so romantic)

In any case, this card was never posted, and except for some minor rounding of the corners, was well preserved.
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 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!

19.00 USD

Whether it is Twelfth Night, Samhain, or Saturnalia, the inclusion of the Lord of Misrule in the religious and seasonal celebrations surrounding the time of the Winter Solstice date back to pre-Christian times. On these feast days in ancient Rome, slaves became masters, and masters, slaves; the king played the part of the fool, and the fool, the part of the king. In modern times, particularly in England, someone is chosen (often by finding a bean in a cake) as the Lord of Misrule, who will reign over the feasting and celebration. Sounds like fun!
This is a great German RPPC, and may have absolutely nothing to do with that tradition, but you can see why it made us think of it :)

Really amazing costuming!

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!

11.00 USD

The brothers Neurdein, Etienne and Louis, had a studio in Paris from 1863 until just before the outbreak of WWI. So though pre-dating it by a few years, their careers pretty much spanned the whole of La Belle Epoque. Etienne Neurdein stayed primarily in Paris, producing local projects, portraits in the studio, and photographing art entries at the Salon de Paris from which many lovely postcards were produced, while his brother Louis traveled widely, spending much of his time in Algeria.

It is probably Louis' work for whom the Neurdein brothers are best remembered today, particularly a series of images of a young Kabyle woman of Algeria, examples of which find their way into our shop now and then. Link below:

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/172052723

We are guessing though, that this listing's card (one out of a very popular series, Silhouettes Parisiennes) was produced by Etienne Neurdein. Great 1910s fashion reference!
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!

11.00 USD

The brothers Neurdein, Etienne and Louis, had a studio in Paris from 1863 until just before the outbreak of WWI. So though pre-dating it by a few years, their careers pretty much spanned the whole of La Belle Epoque. Etienne Neurdein stayed primarily in Paris, producing local projects, portraits in the studio, and photographing art entries at the Salon de Paris from which many lovely postcards were produced, while his brother Louis traveled widely, spending much of his time in Algeria.

It is probably Louis' work for whom the Neurdein brothers are best remembered today, particularly a series of images of a young Kabyle woman of Algeria, examples of which find their way into our shop now and then. Link below:

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/172052723

We are guessing though, that this listing's card (one out of a very popular series, Silhouettes Parisiennes) was produced by Etienne Neurdein. Great 1910s fashion reference!
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!