14.00 USD

96 years before Harry Potter's footsteps echoed down the Hallowed Halls of Hogwarts, Bartolby Grimme of Slytherin cheated on exams and bullied the weak and vulnerable, egged on by his father, the wily necromancer Teodor, and his devoted, but demon possessed mother, Lucretia.
Do take note of Teodor Grimme's preternaturally long index finger which he attempts to disguise beneath his waistcoat, a genetic anomaly passed down through the male line. Bartolby curls his inward too, but certainly made good use of it when pointing the withering "finger of blame" at innocents.
Not visible, unfortunately, are the poisoned daggers the three hide behind their backs. Of course we needn't really see them as they don't concern us personally, being reserved for only their dearest friends :)

If only we could learn from history, sigh.

Love this RPPC, such fun! 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

Anna Fougez (pronounced Foo-jay but with that soft "g" sound like in Beau "G"este) was born Annina Pappacena on July 9th 1894, in Taranto Italy.
She was a singer, a sciantosa, a star of the Italian light opera, and an actress who appeared in a number of silent films from the mid 1910s into the early 20s. She was also, naturally, a wonderful postcard queen! She passed away in 1966 at the age of 72, but is still honored and remembered today in Italy, and internationally.

Below is a link to a very short clip from the 1921 silent film Fiore Selvaggio where we can catch a quick glimpse of her in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylZY0BV9D8w

and another link to an audio track with images that lets you hear Signorina Fougez sing "Vipera," from a 1919 recording.

A very nice Ballerini and Fratini card of a stage production with Anna Fougez. We find portraits of her with some regularity, but this is the first of these stage set images we've found.
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

Superb portrait of actress, producer and screenwriter Marion Davies (1897-1961) by G.B. Falci, one of our favorite publishers of film star cards. Amazing tone and contrast on this one, and in very nice, unposted condition.

Miss Davies was a Ziegfeld Girl in the 1910s, and went on to appear in the motion pictures with great success, until her lover, William Randolph Hearst, Newspaper Tycoon, took too much interest in her career and bought her so much publicity that her career floundered.

Now, there are a great many rumors, myths and legends surrounding Miss Davies and much has been written about her, but we had one interesting little idea we've never run across in print (though it probably has been, in keeping with that old axiom, "nothing new under the sun").

Any visitors of ours who are movie buffs, may be familiar with the classic film "Citizen Kane," in which the Kane character is generally accepted as having been modeled after Hearst. No spoilers here, but what if "Rosebud" (a name of key importance in the film) was not what it was purported to be in Citizen Kane?

What if Rosebud was not an "it," but rather a "whom?" In 1993, a woman named Patricia Lake, who since birth had been known as the niece of Marion Davies, made a deathbed request that she be finally acknowledged publicly as the love child of Hearst and Davies.

This is our idea. It has been suggested that Lake's birth and provenance was a well kept secret, Miss Davies being in careful seclusion at the time, and that following the birth, the infant girl was given to Miss Davies' sister to call her own. Davies' sister had lost her own little girl while in infancy you see, whose name happened to have been "Rose," and the infant who later became known as Patricia Lake simply took Rose's place and her name, in order to save both Hearst and Davies from the scandal of a child born out of wedlock and fathered by a married man.

Apparently this was a well kept secret within the family, Hearst only having acknowledged Patricia Lake as his daughter privately, when she was 17. But what if the secret was not all that well kept, what if Orson Welles learned of it? What we are wondering is if Kane's yearning whisper of the word "Rosebud," that deep, dark secret, was actually an intentional dig at Hearst by Welles (they were not good friends) and a not so veiled reference to "Rose," Hearst's secret daughter by Miss Davies? Incidentally, William Randolph Hearst forbade any of his newspapers the running of any advertisements for Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane.

Fun, huh? We love a good mystery :) Oh, Mr. Wells, you rascal, you!

Anyhow, we'll say no more, it's just an idea, and if it piqued your curiosity, watch the movie!

A magnificent portrait of a beautiful, beautiful actress. 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!

9.00 USD

We love it! Beautifully garish couples romance image by Fotocelere of Paris. Both hand-tinted, and making use of the "pochoir" or stencil technique of layering colors and detail.

The postcard craze of the early 1900s slowed down with the devastating onrush of WWI in the mid 1910s, wearing on into 1918. One factor contributing to this slowdown was the inaccessibility for much of Europe and the Americas to the industrial center of postcard printing, which prior to the Great War was in Germany. Following the war, the postcard industry badly needed a shot in the arm, and in order to regain consumer interest, publishers went to great lengths, one of which was to print cards in very bright, eye-catching colors. This card is certainly a fine example of that trend.

The text at the top of the card can be loosely translated into English as, "Let's exchange sweet promises, and sealed tender caresses."
Okay then! :) On the back of the card is written, "Vive Sainte Catherine."

We deduce that this card was sent to an unmarried woman by a well-wishing female friend or relative. How do we arrive at this conclusion? By subtracting every single impossibility and thereby arriving at the truth? Don't we wish, but no, sadly, Red is not Sherlock Holmes.

Actually, the conclusion is an easy one to draw. Saint Catharine is the patron saint of unmarried women, and on her feast day, in addition to donning really fun, and often silly looking, hats and bonnets, unmarried French women would offer up prayers to Saint Catherine for a good mate! They would also receive Saint Catherine's Day cards from
female friends and relatives (probably a bit of an unwelcome reminder for some women!).
Usually these cards pictured a woman in a wonderful hat, and bore the text, "Vive Sainte Catherine," but our sender choosing a card picturing a loving couple, is less typical, and a gentle bit of sympathetic magic! Great fun.

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!

11.00 USD

J. Mandel, the somewhat mysterious French photographer and publisher, who is probably best known for his nude images in luscious sepias and shades of brown, produced a series of images in the 1930s that were, for the most part, more "family" oriented. Here is one of them. In the same way that Ketty cards often made use of an overall silver tone to bring out the reds of the rouge and lipstick in their images, see how in this image the woman's lips take center stage with a big Smmack! :) And then the soft focus is a great touch we find throughout this series of images, along with groupings of geometric designs in the backgrounds used to give the image balance. Great couples romance card with a wonderful Art Deco feel to it, produced by a very important name in French "glamor card" history.
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!

11.00 USD

Welcome to "Idols of the 1920s," where we hope to provide a special, cozy place for those of you who long to linger among the stars of the early silver screen, the hoofers and songbirds of dear old vaudeville's fading hours, a few divas of the grand opera, and of the operetta too, flappers, flappers, more flappers, and of course, and perhaps especially, those femmes fatales who with one smoldering glance can melt a heart, or break it in two. Have fun!

Dated 1922 on the reverse, though looking considerably older to us, is this magical "harem" image. Of course the blue tint does add to the magic. Simply wonderful.
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!

11.00 USD

Note the peaked hat! Wonderful Hallowe'en image!

Elspeth, the unhappiest of witches, was desolate at having been cast out of the Grand Coven. It seems that on Walpurgisnacht, instead of riding her usual broom to the annual witch's sabbat atop the dark mountain, she was feeling particularly innovative, and made the mistake of riding the musical instrument you see pictured in this image.
So it was that Elspeth, though previously admired in her witchy community for having a heart as hard and black as flint, and an unsurpassed talent for the casting of the blackest of spells, was undone by her own creativity.

For as she flew through the night sky and circled above that wicked convocation before descending to take her place amongst the gleefully soulless celebrants, a mischevious wind passing over her instrument's strings, brought forth a joyous Christian hymn, heard by all present, and casting a very unsabbat like, golden, glow over the otherwise darksome gathering below. Oh my! Poor, poor Elspeth.

Now you tell one :)

Wonderful image of Mary Nolan, costumed as Pierrette, and playing a long necked, mandolin, sort of instrument. If you see someone costumed as a "Pierrot/Pierrette" character, you can pretty much bet the story contains the element of heartbreak. These characters originated hundreds of years ago with the traveling Commedia dell'arte troupes in Renaissance Italy, and blended themes of the tragic lover's triangle with enough ironic, and or silly, comedy to lighten the experience.

In some ways, we could liken these productions, which remained great crowd pleasers into the 20th century, to classic blues performed by masters like Robert Johnson, that also blend the pain of loss and sorrow, with clever and often humorous word play. In both cases, these offer their audiences a way of taking the "long view" on their own personal sufferings, and who doesn't need that from time to time?

Of course this image is taken from a film. We haven't succeeded at pinning down the title, though Miss Nolan made only a handful of movies for Universal in the late 20s and early 30s.

Born Mary Imogene Robertson (1902-1948), she lost her mother at a very early age, was given up by her father shortly thereafter, and raised in a Catholic orphanage.

She worked as a model in her teens, and was a successful dancer in Flo' Ziegfeld's Follies into the early 1920s.

It was in the 1920s that she made a number of successful films in Germany, then in the late 20s, she made the move back to the USA where she appeared in several successful films as well.

Like the character in our image might have been, Miss Nolan was unlucky in love, and had relationships with abusive, sometimes brutally violent, men. These relationships, with their associated scandals, also impacted her professional life, and in the long run, ruined what from the start, might have been.a wonderful career.

The short biography at Wikipedia is richly detailed, and if you want to learn more about Miss Nolan, we encourage you to read it, but be warned, it is thoroughly depressing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Nolan

A great unposted card published by Iris Verlag, thought of by some as the Austrian "Ross Verlag."
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

I Have to say that one of the many little rewards of engaging in this work is the discovery of unidentified images of famous Belle Epoque performers. An unidentified image always adds a little extra spice to a shop window, and then, to someone's special collection.

Lovely faux-nude "précurseur" (French term for early postcards with undivided back). We can't know exactly when this card was printed, but probably between 1895 and 1904. This also appears to be an unidentified, and very early image of famous Belle Epoque actress Cécile Sorel!

Though the text "Suzanne Surprize" sounds as though it might have been the title of a soft-rock song from the early 70s (and hey, who knows, it could have been! think "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" CSNY :) it is French though, meaning "Suzanne surprised," and though we haven't traced the origin of the theme, there were at least two well known French sculptures, one "Suzanne Surprise," and one "Suzanne Surprise au Bain" (Suzanne surprised in the bath), produced during la Belle Epoque.

The "Pose Plastique" was very popular for a time. Sometimes the curtain would rise displaying a tableau of statues, marble-white, or perhaps gilded, mimicking a famous sculpture familiar to many in the audience, but then suddenly the statues would move...they weren't statues at all, but actors and gymnasts often attired in close fitting, faux-nude, union suits, made up and carefully posed.

So in this card, Suzanne Surprise the sculpture, may well have become a "pose plastique" performed by an actress who would later become one of the great queens of French stage and early film, La Comtesse de Ségur, better known as Cécile Sorel. Compare our third and fourth listing images for yourself. the third image is of a close crop of the performer on our card (reversed for easier comparison), and the fourth is of Mme. Sorel, Sociétaire de la Comédie-Française! I have to say we are convinced :)

Fun stuff, and since it was printed during that time when only the recipient's address was allowed on the back-side of the card, the publisher left plenty of room on the front-side for personal messages.

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

Cute image :) We've come across another image of this same dancer, also identified as Marcelle Lys, so we're satisfied with the name as written on the back-side. No history as of yet. This "could" be an autographed card, or it could be a fan, or a collector, jotting down her name on the back of the card.
Either way, lots of fun :)
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!

19.00 USD

So precious! Suzy Deguez was a unique beauty. Here, she appears with two charming little children, all of them attired in Art Nouveau finery for what may have been a celebration of spring. Great sepia image.

The notorious Belle Epoque dancer, Mata Hari, publicly denounced Mlle. Deguez for the alleged theft of certain of her erotic oriental routines. Competition was fierce between performers, and who knows what really went on between the two dancers. Then, as now, most any publicity was good publicity, and they may well have been the best of friends, with the battle worked out between them, beforehand :)
Mlle. Suzy was also well known for her "Danse des Cheveux," or "hair" dance!

There is no photographer attribution on this card, printed in Berlin by the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft, circa 1905. The photo was probably made in France, by Reutlinger, or perhaps Ogereau (another of her photographers), and then offered at some point to N.P.G. who did regular work with Leopold Reutlinger.

N.P.G., opened by Arthur Schwartz in 1894, was probably the most powerful and influential printer and publisher of postcards of the early 1900s and by 1908, when this card was mailed, had satellite companies all over Europe, the UK and in the USA.

This is an Oranotype print, a special printing method used by NPG that we think relied in part on a special "glacé" finish. Oranotype images can really pop, but the nature of high gloss is that every little wave or crimp on the print surface bends the light and becomes quite visible. Our scan does not show these little faults, but they do exist.

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!

26.00 USD

Gorgeous German nude, circa 1910s. Rather than being an image out of a risque early 1900s Ping Pong strategy guide, we suspect this image was more likely put forth as the awakening of Pygmalion's Galatea (with the added convenience of a hand mirror :)

"Lebender Marmor," or Living Marble. One of a very popular postcard series in which the models, often in (or as in this case not so much "in" as "out of") classical costume, were posed and made up to resemble marble statues. This one is a real beauty, and the silvering only serves to add to the image!

See another card from the same series:

https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/redpoulaine/tools/listings/page:2,stats:true/266700176

Tableaux vivants are a form of performance art in which a costumed actor (in the case of the "tableaux," usually "actors plural") pose motionlessly, creating a scene from a painting, sculpture, etc., that is often recognizable and meaningful to the viewing audience. It puts us in mind of street artists painted in silver or white, and posing as statues for passing tourists at street fairs and the like.

In the early 1900s, it was not uncommon to see tableaux vivants of favorite religious scenes, such as the last supper, or, for example, during the run-up to WWI, a tableau vivant of Washington crossing the Delaware created on the stage of a vaudeville theater in order to stir the patriotic blood of the audience and help out with the recruitment drive.

Wikipedia notes, "The most recent heyday of the tableau vivant was the 19th century, with virtually nude tableaux vivants or poses plastiques providing a form of erotic entertainment."

Even when legislation restricted risque performances in the theaters, it was difficult to shut down a nude tableau vivant or pose plastique (a term we believe was more commonly used to describe this type of performance by a single actor) when it was touted as a work of art!

Our card demonstrates that the popularity of the pose plastique as a theatrical act carried over into picture postcards. We run across these fairly often, with the Lebender Marmor series being one of the nicest, we think.

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!

26.00 USD

"Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome..."

We recently came across a number of great vintage German musical theater postcards and thought we'd put them in what will probably be a temporary section under the heading "Cabaret," or, auf Deutch, Kabarett! Most of the cards in this section will concern theatrical entertainment in the 1920s Weimar era of post world war one Germany, though we may place a number of Austrian cards of the period and a few film star cards from that time and place into this section as well.

The Weimar era, particularly in Berlin, fascinates us at least in part because of its dramatic contrasts, the tinsel glitter that could not entirely disguise an ever deepening gloom, the festive mood that seemed to so many who witnessed it as if driven by misery rather than a celebration of life as had seemed the Parisian nightlife of the previous decade. In hindsight, some compared the cabaret life of Weimar Berlin to dancing at the edge of a sheer cliff, and perhaps a little of that frenzied energy clings to these images of actors and dancers.

Just for fun, if it's been a while since you've seen it, you might enjoy a little mood music...the very memorable opening of the classic 1972 film version of "Cabaret." Youtube link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBlB8RAJEEc

Dancer Elvira Csüdör (also sometimes Czüdör) is a dancer who appears on two cards in our small collection of Weimar era performers. Unfortunately, we've found no history on her at all. Her poses and costumes are so dramatic :) Please note the wonderful brushwork extension moving at an angle in the upper right of her shadow! What a great effect.
Wonderful stuff. 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

Her smile just made our day :) We love the Italian cards from the '20s, particularly fun are these tinted ones by Sborgi and others. The coloring is not always carefully done, and the edges were often quickly trimmed and consequently uneven, but the expressiveness and energy is intense. This particular printer or publisher has a name we can't work out. The name, in stylized script on the card's back is "foto" er..something...can anyone help us out?

We especially love the stenciled background on this wonderful Pierrot (carnaval) image. Great 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!

22.00 USD

One card of four in a series of great vaudeville acrobat postcards we recently acquired for the shop. Though published circa 1906 (the year Germany began allowing divided back cards), these images may be recognized as being very unusual for Gerlach. Our guess is that like many postcard images, these were printed from negative plates originally used to produce late 19th century CDVs and cabinet cards and published early in Gerlach's "postcard" career. If you have an opinion on this, we'd really love to hear from you.
Unfortunately, though we've found an unrelated image of the "Trio Versa," we haven't yet found any history on this troupe.
A very nice card we were absolutely thrilled to find as one in this series! Acrobats in action are really difficult to collect (from this period and earlier) and this card is such fun! Though not so recognizable in our scans, small dots of glitter decorate the players costumes at strategic points. These are far more effective in person!

Minor wear but overall in very nice 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

One card of four in a series of great vaudeville acrobat postcards we recently acquired for the shop. Though published circa 1906 (the year Germany began allowing divided back cards), these images may be recognized as being very unusual for Gerlach. Our guess is that like many postcard images, these were printed from negative plates originally used to produce late 19th century CDVs and cabinet cards and published early in Gerlach's "postcard" career. If you have an opinion on this, we'd really love to hear from you.
Unfortunately, though we've found an unrelated image of the "Trio Versa," we haven't yet found any history on this troupe.
A very nice card we were absolutely thrilled to find as one in this series! Acrobats in action are really difficult to collect (from this period and earlier) and this card is such fun! Though not so recognizable in our scans, small dots of glitter decorate the players costumes at strategic points. These are far more effective in person!

Minor wear but overall in very nice 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

One card of four in a series of great vaudeville acrobat postcards we recently acquired for the shop. Though published circa 1906 (the year Germany began allowing divided back cards), these images may be recognized as being very unusual for Gerlach. Our guess is that like many postcard images, these were printed from negative plates originally used to produce late 19th century CDVs and cabinet cards and published early in Gerlach's "postcard" career. If you have an opinion on this, we'd really love to hear from you.
Unfortunately, though we've found an unrelated image of the "Trio Versa," we haven't yet found any history on this troupe.
A very nice card we were absolutely thrilled to find as one in this series! Acrobats in action are really difficult to collect (from this period and earlier) and this card is such fun! Though not so recognizable in our scans, small dots of glitter decorate the players costumes at strategic points. These are far more effective in person!

Minor wear but overall in very nice condition. There is a small scratch on the surface of this one, moving to the edge in the lower right quadrant.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!

39.00 USD

One card of four in a series of great vaudeville acrobat postcards we recently acquired for the shop. Though published circa 1906 (the year Germany began allowing divided back cards), these images may be recognized as being very unusual for Gerlach. Our guess is that like many postcard images, these were printed from negative plates originally used to produce late 19th century CDVs and cabinet cards and published early in Gerlach's "postcard" career. If you have an opinion on this, we'd really love to hear from you.
Unfortunately, though we've found an unrelated image of the "Trio Versa," we haven't yet found any history on this troupe.
A very nice card we were absolutely thrilled to find as one in this series! Acrobats in action are really difficult to collect (from this period and earlier) and this card is a remarkable example of the sub-genre!

Minor wear but overall in very nice condition.Though not so recognizable in our scans, small dots of glitter decorate the players costumes at strategic points. These are far more effective in person! 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

"Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome..."

We recently came across a number of great vintage German musical theater postcards and thought we'd put them in what will probably be a temporary section under the heading "Cabaret," or, auf Deutch, Kabarett! Most of the cards in this section will concern theatrical entertainment in the 1920s Weimar era of post world war one Germany, though we may place a number of Austrian cards of the period and a few film star cards from that time and place into this section as well.

The Weimar era, particularly in Berlin, fascinates us at least in part because of its dramatic contrasts, the tinsel glitter that could not entirely disguise an ever deepening gloom, the festive mood that seemed to so many who witnessed it as if driven by misery rather than a celebration of life as had seemed the Parisian nightlife of the previous decade. In hindsight, some compared the cabaret life of Weimar Berlin to dancing at the edge of a sheer cliff, and perhaps a little of that frenzied energy clings to these images of actors and dancers.

Just for fun, if it's been a while since you've seen it, you might enjoy a little mood music...the very memorable opening of the classic 1972 film version of "Cabaret." Youtube link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBlB8RAJEEc

Amazing costumes! These gals didn't need to flutter hems to show a little leg!!! Weimar era stage entertainers 2 Sisters Maja by W. Fleischer, circa 1920s. Unfortunately, we find no history on these two. We cannot pin down the photographer either.

W. Fleischer's name appears on a number of 1920s entertainer postcards out of a Berlin studio, but the name W. Fleischer is also attached to many, many photojournalist images now in the files of Ullstein Bild, which was one of the huge publishing empires of Weimar Berlin.

In the 1920s, running up to '33, Germany's publishing industry turned out more newspapers and magazines to wider circulations than practically anywhere in the world. In some ways, this is similar to German postcard production prior to WWI, which was at the center of the picture postcard's golden era, producing a greater volume, and a higher quality of postcard than anywhere else in the world. But, as happened in 1914, when politics and war shut down the German postcard industry, at the end of the Weimar era in 1933, when Hitler rose to power, newspapers and magazines were forced either to narrow their focus to issues, and views, that supported the Nazi agenda, or simply cease to exist.

The photojournalist W. Fleischer seems to have survived the war, since there are many postwar images on file credited to him (her), but we have no way of knowing whether Fleischer the theatrical portraitist, and Fleischer the photojournalist, were the same person.

In any case, a delightful card for our new "Kabarett" section! 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

Gorgeous medaillon image of a Belle Epoque beauty, unattributed, but probably the work of Raimund Wichera who was a much loved illustrator of the period. Marvelous Art Nouveau framing.

If you feverishly research your cards, as we do, you may at some point be led astray by the text on the back of this one, "M.M. Vienne." This is not a person's name, but rather, M.M. are the publisher's initials, and Vienne, the city of origin, Vienna, as in Austria, where the card was published. M. M. stands either for Max Munk, or Marcus Munk, as even this depends upon your source of information. Ostensibly reliable sources come out on both sides of this one. But, M.M. Vienne, is definitely NOT the artist's name, which is a very common error you may find repeated elsewhere.

Of course we hate to admit it, but we have definitely wandered down the wrong path more than once when researching our cards, following well meaning researchers, dealers, bloggers, who themselves had been misled before us, so that only later do we discover that so and so was not an opera singer, but a stage actress of a different generation, or that thus and such was not the name of a photographer, but instead, the name of a district in a European city.

This interwebs is tricksy,
Slick and sluice, its quags and mires.
Wander wary, lest ye slipsy,
Down the deepsome danks and dires! :)

Wichera's DRAWINGS...
are so very DREAMY...
DON'T you think?

A lovely card that captures the often wistful mood of the era, with only a gentle corner crease, and some apparent age tanning and foxing. 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

This photograph was made quite some time after Dorothy's remarkable return to Kansas following her very first adventure in the land of Oz. If you recall, before that first and much celebrated adventure, Dorothy's life was rather quiet and humdrum, but after her return, well, she brought so much magic back with her in those wonderful silver slippers that she soon made new friends with whom she shared all kinds of secrets, such as how to make ladybugs sing and dance, or how to make cupcakes change the colors of their icing, sprout wings and fly about the house!

Here is an image of Dorothy and some of her friends, playing at Oz in Auntie Em's barnyard. As you may have noticed, the place is looking a bit careworn, but not to worry, before too long, Princess Ozma will help Dorothy find a nice farmhouse for her uncle and aunt on the outskirts of the Emerald City! Now, won't that be just fine and dandy :)

Minor damage in the form of discoloration at the edges of this card. A wonderfully rare and precious French RPPC (Real Photo Post Card) from the early 1920s, of which, very possibly, only this single copy remains. 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!