19.00 USD

Lovely seductive image of artiste Myriel. We have no bio on this lovely Belle Epoque performer. We find her most often in maenad-type images, playing cymbals, or holding aloft the thyrsus of Bacchus. Often she is posed, like Doll, another favorite, in a woodland setting.
A wonderful card in very wonderful condition with just a little wear to corners.
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!

29.00 USD

Lebender Marmor, or Living Marble. One of a very popular postcard series in which the models, often in 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/stats:true/268159810

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!

16.00 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 very nice, unposted condition. Upper left corner a little rounded.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

22.00 USD

"Pigeon vole!
Aérogyne Elle ment avec son corps
Mieux que l'esprit n'imagine
Les mensonges
du decor."

Jean Cocteau

Miss Aérogyne, La Femme Volante, or "the Flying Woman"

From her costume, and stage name, you might think Miss Aérogyne was a trapese artist, or even a human cannonball, and at some point in her career, who knows? She may have done those things as well.

But for this act, she was a stage magician, an illusionist, and making use of careful set design, and no doubt some daring acrobatics as well, she would appear to be flying through the air, much to the delight of the audience, one of whom, writer and film director Jean Cocteau, composed a poem about her in the early 1920s.

"Fly pigeon," he writes, and though we won't attempt a poetic translation here, he seems essentially to say that with her body, and with the lie supported by the stage decor, she creates the illusion of flight, better than he can imagine in his own mind.

Apparently he was so enchanted with the produced special effect, that he reproduced it in 1924, in his film "Roméo and Juliette." This, according to a scholarly article by Professor Jennifer Forrest, follow link to read more.

http://newprairiepress.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1544&context=sttcl

Full disclosure: Professor Forrest gives the name of Miss Aérogyne as Marie Fourrier, but also writes that she cannot be certain the "Miss Aérogyne" whose performance Monsieur Cocteau so enjoyed, was necessarily the same one. Apparently she had many imitators.

A very nice circus/vaudeville card. Like many cards of this genre, it was a cheaply produced souvenir, a photolithograph, not a photograph, but captures the era and the feel of the circus ring beautifully :)

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!

14.00 USD

Marcelle Lender was dancing professionally by 16, and within a few years her flame-red hair was setting Paris, and then all of Europe, ablaze. She was immortalized by the famous French post impressionist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in a number of his works. We've included an image of one as a thumbnail in our listing images just for fun.

A wonderful portrait of a talented performer who in some ways expressed the heart of the era. 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!

19.00 USD

We love the composition of this strange little RPPC. If it was just a snapshot of a man dancing in a brassiere, it might still be interesting, or not, depending on the context. After all, although we've never attended one personally, word is that this is a pretty common practice at "frat" parties! :)

But the way this image really works for us, is not even at center stage, where the obvious action is taking place, but rather diagonally, between the two other men.

We have first the spectator, in what was presumably modern, conventional dress (for circa 1940 Algeria, Morocco, or Egypt, just guessing), and then the seated man in the checked pants and loose white tunic, whose singing (and perhaps hand clapping) directs the dance.

This might have been nothing more than a silly stunt, or these might be street entertainers, or the scene might have a cultural significance immediately apparent to someone more familiar with that place and time, but for us, the diagonal line between the two not-dancing men is a direct path through the looking glass, as it were. We become the spectator, standing outside, and peering into a place where up is down, standing is sitting, man is woman, and conventional dress becomes brightly patterned and ostentatious. Very weird and dream-like, and we love it!

As with so many RPPCs, this is very possibly the only remaining example of this wonderful image in existence! We know nothing about any of the subjects, the photographer, or even the geographical location of this card's origin, only that it was produced on Agfa print stock (Actien-Gesellschaft für Anilin-Fabrikation). This was a very big German producer of photo chemicals and print paper that shipped worldwide, so no country of origin help there, but by the style of the "Agfa" mark on the back of the card, we can at least date the paper to pre-1945. Finally, the brassiere helps us narrow it down a bit. Apparently the "bullet" bra first surfaced in the late 1930s, but didn't really become popular until after WWII, so our photograph was probably taken sometime between 1939, when the bullet bra appeared, and 1944, the last year Agfa paper bearing the particular mark on the back of our card, was produced.
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!

33.00 USD

In the 1870s, when Vienna was still a jewel in the crown of the Austro-Hungarian empire, There was a Herr Mahlknecht, well known as a theatrical portraitist (by which we mean he took pictures of "theater people," rather than actually taking pictures theatrically, which might have been fun to witness, anyway :)

Beyond this, we have no history on him. Nothing on our model either. Was she actually a milk maid, paid a little something to pose in the studio? We can't say. Gorgeous photograph. Cabinet card of approx. 8 inches by 3 and 3/4 inches.

Please examine our high res scans for detail.

***Not a postcard in this case, but will be shipped securely at the same postage cost***

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

Tito Corbella (1885-1966) has to be one of our favorite Italian illustrators of glamor and couples romance postcards. One reason for this, is that he designed a large number of cards after famous Italian silent screen actresses, like Pina Menichelli, Francesca Bertini and Lyda Borelli, and if you visit our shop often, you know how fond we are of these ladies.

According to the folks at European Filmstar Postcards, he also often used his wife as a model. For more history on this wonderful artist and several fine examples of his work, follow the link below to their website. It is a site we visit often when researching our cards.

http://filmstarpostcards.blogspot.com/2013/07/painted-by-tito-corbella.html

This is one out of a series of six (we believe) card images he created highlighting that oh-so popular headdress of the mid 1910s and '20s, the turban.

French clothing designer Paul Poiret was not fond of big, broad-brimmed hats for ladies, and certainly inspired by the "costumes orientale" legacy of French colonialism in North Africa, his elegant haremesque designs crowned by the ubiquitous plumed turban pretty much spelled the end of the Merry Widow hat and ushered in what we think of today as "flapper" fashion.

For a really nice bio-article on Monsieur Poiret, follow the link below.

http://solidglow.com/2012/12/20/turban-chic-paul-poiret/

Great card showing some wear to edges and corners. 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

Tito Corbella (1885-1966) has to be one of our favorite Italian illustrators of glamor and couples romance postcards. One reason for this, is that he designed a large number of cards after famous Italian silent screen actresses, like Pina Menichelli, Francesca Bertini and Lyda Borelli, and if you visit our shop often, you know how fond we are of these ladies.

According to the folks at European Filmstar Postcards, he also often used his wife as a model. For more history on this wonderful artist and several fine examples of his work, follow the link below to their website. It is a site we visit often when researching our cards.

http://filmstarpostcards.blogspot.com/2013/07/painted-by-tito-corbella.html

This is one out of a series of six (we believe) card images he created highlighting that oh-so popular headdress of the mid 1910s and '20s, the turban.

French clothing designer Paul Poiret was not fond of big, broad-brimmed hats for ladies, and certainly inspired by the "costumes orientale" legacy of French colonialism in North Africa, his elegant haremesque designs crowned by the ubiquitous plumed turban pretty much spelled the end of the Merry Widow hat and ushered in what we think of today as "flapper" fashion.

For a really nice bio-article on Monsieur Poiret, follow the link below.

http://solidglow.com/2012/12/20/turban-chic-paul-poiret/

Great card showing some wear to edges and corners. 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

We found a small cache of 1920's Ross Verlag postcards depicting scenes from Fritz Lang's German Expressionist film masterpiece "Die Nibelungen" and so we've created a temporary section to show off these wonderful cards.

Also, below are three Youtube links to the film. The first (as indicated) offers English subtitles and combines parts one (Siegfried) and two (Kriemhild's Revenge), but the print quality is a little poor.

The two links below that one are for parts one and two separately, offer no English subs, but are the magnificent restoration version accomplished by the F.W. Murnau Society in 2010. For this restoration, a photo-chemical rather than digital process was employed, resulting in something as close to the original film-goer's experience as possible.

If you're not a German speaker (or reader) this requires some dedication and focus on context, to say nothing of an almost five hour time investment! But do check it out for a few minutes at least. It's truly gorgeous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TnXruo9FlQ (English Subtitles)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNa74OevW_c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jhb2mjjx-E (photo-chemical restoration)

Lang's "Die Nibelungen" was based on the 13th century (or earlier) epic poem, the Nibelungenlied, and is often, though it really shouldn't be, confused with Wagner's "Ring Cycle." Wagner certainly drew upon the Nibelungenlied as one of his sources, but the stories really aren't the same. The film's script was written by Thea von Harbou, a screen writer, novelist and actress.

Thea von Harbou and Lang were a married couple incidentally, and were also the writer and director of the German Expressionist classic "Metropolis" in 1927 and the chilling "M" in '31.

Fritz Lang was one of many in the German film industry who left Germany after the Nazis came to power. He went on to direct films in Hollywood, some of which are now classics in the "Film Noir" genre. (Our favorite of those we've seen is definitely "The Big Heat." Awesome movie! )

Each of these cards is in really very nice condition! Spectacular!
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, the price is the same as for a single 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, due to the costs of international shipping 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

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!

This uncommon (and just a little surreal :) Lilian Harvey card is in lovely posted condition. On the back, we see that though printed in probably 1929, the card was posted from Bremen, Germany to Athens, Greece in 1930.

Lilian Harvey could play sexy, or sweet, or sweet and sexy, but never particularly vampy, or at least not that we've seen. Mostly known as a musical comedy star, she filled a place in late Weimar era Germany that actresses like Ruby Keeler filled in the US during that period of economic and cultural depression when people badly needed a bright and happy, optimistic character to cheer them through the tough times. The roles she played provided a necessary contrast to the often dark, "femme fatale" characters played by other German actresses of the same period, like the great Marlene Dietrich.

Miss Harvey led a fascinating life. She was born to an English mother and a German father in 1906, in London, but by the time WWI broke out, she was living with her family in Germany. She became a successful singer, dancer, and silent film actress in Vienna and Germany, made the transition to the talkies easily, and actually starred opposite Laurence Olivier in his film debut, an English version of a very successful German film called Hokuspokus in which she'd played the leading lady.

She was one of those people of conscience who though happy to play a part for her movie-going audience, was unwilling to act as a puppet for the state. In the late 1930s, after having been closely watched by the Gestapo for years as a result of her close associations with Jewish friends and politically dissident associates, she went out on a limb for one of them who'd been arrested, managed his release, and after his escape from Germany, she was pretty much forced out of the country herself and forced to leave her substantial fortune behind. Please read the Wikipedia article for so much more!!!

Below is a link to Youtube, and a clip from the film Die Drei von der Tankstelle (The Three from the Gas Station), a very popular musical produced in 1930, that will give you an idea of Fraulein Harvey's charms. Playing opposite her is Oskar Karlweis, a popular song and dance man of the 20s and 30s, who like so many others, was forced to flee Germany when Hitler came to power.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri0sPJV3NGI

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!

17.00 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!

Born Vilma Koncsics (1901-1991) Miss Banky was the daughter of a highly placed government official in Emperor Franz Joseph's Austro-Hungary.
Growing up in Budapest, she was fascinated by film from a young age, and won a part in a film at age 19.

In 1925, Samuel Goldwyn visited Budapest, and signed her to a contract. Her family, and her fiancee were already unhappy with the idea of her being an actress, but she ignored all of their wishes, and ran off (hardly running off, really, she was 24 years old :) to Hollywood, where she was called the Hungarian Rhapsody, and became a tremendous success.
She was leading lady to Rudolf Valentino in "The Eagle," and "Son of the Shiek," and made many more films before the talkies reared their head, and her heavy Hungarian accent apparently stood in the way of her continued success.

She married silent movie star Rod La Rocque (Wait, we know what you're thinking, but that was the name this French-Canadian fellow was actually born with, and no, he never starred in an episode of the Flintstones :) to whom she stayed happily married until his death in 1969.
Miss Banky sold real estate with her husband, played a lot of golf, and established an educational foundation. Sounds like a relatively uneventful, happy later life. I think we can say that is a very nice thing.
Almost all of our bio information was drawn from a wonderfully concise article on Wikipedia. Thanks Wikipedia!

A visit to Youtube will produce numerous clips from her film career, allowing you to see why she was so greatly loved. A very beautiful woman, and a gifted actress. I think, through Youtube, we were able to enjoycomplete copies of both "The Winning of Barbara Worth" (early Gary Cooper too!), and "Son of the Sheik."

Beautiful atmospheric image. A very nice, unposted card.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

22.00 USD

Just so charming. Six young ladies in costume for a theatrical production, and beautifully posed for this RPPC (Real Photo Post Card). RPPCs are postcard images produced from local studio, or even amateur "home," photographer's negatives in extremely limited runs, often for friends or family only. They are, by their very nature, the rarest postcard images of all. Interesting RPPCs are prized by collectors, and also by artists who might make use of such images in their art work, and appreciate that an original print of such an image is often as close to unique as one can practically get.

R. Guilleminot, Bœspflug et Cie, was not a publisher of postcards, or a photography studio, but rather a company, founded in the 1850s, that manufactured photo print paper and plates. They distributed their print stock and plates internationally. Nord et Pas de Calais is probably where this image was taken. It is the northernmost of the 27 French regions, and shares a border with Belgium.

A lovely, unposted card circa 1910s. 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

Lovely theatrical costume RPPC of a queen and her attendants. RPPCs (Real Photo Post Cards) are postcard images produced from local studio, or even amateur "home," photographer's negatives in extremely limited runs, often for friends or family only. They are, by their very nature, the rarest postcard images of all. Interesting RPPCs are prized by collectors, and also by artists who might make use of such images in their art work, and appreciate that an original print of such an image is often as close to unique as one can practically get.

R. Guilleminot, Bœspflug et Cie, was not a publisher of postcards, or a photography studio, but rather a company, founded in the 1850s, that manufactured photo print paper and plates. They distributed their print stock and plates internationally. "Guerre de 14," was written in what looks like modern ink, by a previous owner of this postcard, a family member perhaps, and though such notations are notoriously unreliable, suggests that this image was made during the First World War (1914-1918), and indeed, by its appearance, this image feels like it was made in the 1910s.

A lovely, unposted card circa 1910s. 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!

12.00 USD

Lovely postcard print (circa 1905) of what was a photograph of ballet dancer Mlle. Boutouyrie in costume for a performance at the Opéra de Paris, probably circa 1890s. Mlle. Boutouyrie was a contemporary of Cléo de Merode and from her jaw-droppingly gorgeous costume, this image might even have been drawn from her performance with Cléo de Merode in Louis Gallet's "Thamara," a romantic tragedy and two part extravagance of Oriental Exoticism set in Baku, in which Boutouyrie and Merode dance the parts of favorites in a harem (Nope, as far as we know, they did not sing. Opera often used (uses) dancers too!). We do know that French operatic soprano Jeanne Hatto performed as Thamara in at least two of the opera's productions.

The detail on this costume is just amazing!
A truly lovely 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!

17.00 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!

Lya Mara, 1897-1960, was born Aleksandra Gudowicz to Polish parents. When the family moved to Warsaw at the beginning of WWI, Aleksandra studied stagecraft, soon began dancing professionally, and eventually became a hugely popular star of German silent films. She did not, however, make the transition to the talkies. Her career faded, and when Hitler came to power in '33, she and her husband, director and producer Frederic Zelnik, with whom she had enjoyed great success in earlier years, left Germany for London, where Zelnik continued to direct and produce films.

Thanks Wikipedia for much of our biographical info!

Here, Fraulein Mara is dressed to the nines in luminously extravagant costumery!

A fantastic card in very fine 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, the price is the same as for a single 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, due to the costs of international shipping 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

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!

Wonderful early Ross Verlag card of Lucy Doraine, popular star of the silent screen. She was born Ilona Kovacs in Budapest, Hungary in 1898. Between 1918 and 1931, she appeared in 24 films. First in Hungary, then Germany, and finally in Hollywood. She was married to Hollywood director Michael Curtiz for a short time between 1918, and 1923. He was also Hungarian, and incidentally directed some really HUGE films, like "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" with Errol Flynn and Claudette Colbert, and "Casablanca" with ... we don't even have to tell ya that! :)

Many thanks to Wikipedia for most of our biographical info!

A very nice, unposted card. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, the price is the same as for a single 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, due to the costs of international shipping 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

Sweet Bessie Love (1892-1986) was a popular film star of the silents and the early talkies. She was born Juanita Horton in Midland Texas. Her dad, a chiropractor, moved the family further west, eventually to Hollywood, where Miss Love met D.W. Griffith (who gave her the name Bessie Love) and won a small part in his huge spectacular, "Intolerance."

This wonderful Cinémagazine Edition card (we so love the quality of their prints) captures her tenderness, and explains why she was compared to Mary Pickford. In fact, D.W. Griffith was said to have referred to her as "Our Mary."

A very nice card in nice unposted condition. Two marks from some kind of rubbing, center left, are barely noticeable in person, but our scan shows them off nicely...erk!... :)

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

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!

Gorgeous print! Lovely portrait (one of the nicest we've seen, personally,) of Greta Garbo. From the Ross Verlag series number on the card, we know at least that the card dates to about 1928, but haven't found out what film the image is associated with.

Born in poverty, in 1905, the great Garbo grew up in a slum in Stockholm, Sweden. She lost her father to the Spanish flu at the age of fourteen, got a job as a shop girl at a department store, and her first motion picture work was in commercials for that store. By age 20, she was a star in Germany, and in 1926, was brought to Hollywood by Louis B. Mayer, where she very soon became the highest paid, and most popular actress, in that studio.

She retired from film work at the age of 35. Was very careful about her investments, and so never wanted for comfort. She was never really antisocial (as is sometimes suggested), and had many close friends, but was extremely private and abhorred publicity. We love the movie Ninotchka (1939, with Melvin Douglas). It never feels dated to us, and if you haven't seen it, please do. We love Melvin Douglas in just about anything, and it's great seeing Garbo in a comedy. Also, any silent films she was in are such a treat. Before seeing a lot of her earlier stuff, we thought she may have been a little over-hyped, someone people just found it popular to rave about, but personally, we've changed our tune. She just lights up the screen with her presence.

Of interest to her fans might be that if you go to Youtube and see her in one of the old European silents like "Joyless Street," you'll be seeing her before Louis B. Mayer had her teeth straightened. Yep, one of the first sights she saw, before even going from New York to Hollywood, was the dentist!

Beautiful card in very nice 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, the price is the same as for a single 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, due to the costs of international shipping 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

What a lovely opportunity to have a look at the stockings that were all the rage circa 1910! Probably a bit risque for the time, this postcard was out of the popular series Silhouettes Parisiennes. Really cool!!

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!