12.00 USD

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

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

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

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

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

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


A very nice, unposted card, circa 1900.

Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

12.00 USD

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

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

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

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


A very nice, unposted card, circa 1900.

Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

12.00 USD

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

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

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

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


A very nice, unposted card, circa 1900.

Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

29.00 USD

Cléo de Mérode (1875-1966) was an Austrian dancer who began her training at age 8, and according to Wikipedia, made her professional debut at the age of 11. She has visited our shop many times, and this particular image is a favorite of ours. For this photograph made by celebrity photographer Leopold Reutlinger, Mlle. De Mérode wore the costume in which she performed at the 1900 Paris World Exposition, when she danced to traditional Indochinese music played by Nguyễn Tống Triều, a famed Vietnamese musician with whom it has been suggested she my have had an affair during his stay in France. I believe was the same Paris Exposition at which American dancer Loie Fuller gained great fame and notoriety.

Card is in nice posted condition with minor wear to edges and corners and a brief greeting on the image side. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

12.00 USD

Charming photograph! The poses they took really capture a sense of movement. See their audience of two in the window above? :) This photograph just barely misses being the size of a standard postcard out of that period. It's just a touch shorter in length, and a touch wider in the other direction. We'll guess this was taken in the 1930s.
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

Litho of Artiste Contact Juggling, circa 1910
Not a photograph, this is a lovely printed image of an artiste in a faux nude body suit who appears to be contact juggling a ball while being haunted by who knows, a lost love, perhaps, in ectoplasmic form. Okay...the ectoplasm thing is pushing it a bit :)
Lovely image.
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!

74.00 USD

Lot of eight cards, as per convo. 6 of 8 shown, 2 couples romance images not shown.

Litho of Artiste Contact Juggling, circa 1910
Not a photograph, this is a lovely printed image of an artiste in a faux nude body suit who appears to be contact juggling a ball while being haunted by who knows, a lost love, perhaps, in ectoplasmic form. Okay...the ectoplasm thing is pushing it a bit :)
Lovely image.
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!

36.00 USD

Beautiful card by Raphael Kirchner from during the period he spent in Paris.

This card was glued into an album at some point, and whoever removed it left plenty of evidence of this attached to the back side. For this reason, while the card is in otherwise very nice condition, we are listing it at a very low price. Please examine our high res scans carefully for detail.

For more on Kirchner, please read the wonderful summary below, that we found on the website ArtHistory.net. We usually write our own listings, but this is great. Informative, concise, and we certainly couldn't have done it better!



"Introduction to the Artist Raphael Kirchner
By ArtHistory.net



Vienna-born artist Raphael Kirchner was born in 1876. Influenced by Aubrey Beardsley’s Art Nouveau style, Kirchner has often been compared to the artist Alphonse Mucha who also primarily painted women. But while Mucha went on to focus on poster art, Kirchner designed postcards during what has been dubbed “The Golden Age of Postcards.” Women in Kirchner designs were usually garbed scantily (though elegantly) and shown sitting at their vanities or lounging on beds. Some are simply smelling flowers or playing an instrument like a harp.

Not much is known about Kirchner’s private life. While in Vienna, he painted portraits for wealthy Viennese clients. He later moved to Paris (around 1900) where he illustrated for the magazine La Vie Parisienne. This popular French magazine famously featured other well-known artists like Georges Barbier and Georges Leonnec. The magazine became infamous for its risqué, yet tasteful illustrations of women. Kirchner’s illustrations for the magazine led to his career designing more than one thousand illustrated postcards featuring mostly women.

Most of Kirchner’s women are based on his wife Nina who modeled for him. Many of Kirchner’s designs demonstrated a strong Japanese influence as best evidenced by his Geisha series of illustrations. While in Paris Kirchner continued to do portrait work and illustrate for other magazines. Kirchner’s illustrations of Paris life became very popular—especially as he portrayed its sensual side in bars and fashionable bedrooms. His depictions of women, while erotic, are also exquisitely lovely. Like Mucha, Kirchner portrayed women as essentially beautiful—sometimes ethereally so.

Kirchner moved to the United States around 1914. His postcards became particularly sought after during WWI by soldiers on both sides of the war. Art historians credit Kirchner’s postcards as revealing the first pin up girls. Soldiers collected Kirchner’s postcard beauties and hung them in the trenches. Kirchner’s war postcards were less draughtsmanlike than his earlier designs and also more directly sensual. These erotic postcards were soldiers’ favorites and their popularity during these war years influenced the work of later pin up artists. While in New York, Kirchner also worked as a theatre costume designer as well as a portrait artist.

Kirchner died in 1917. His wife and main model Nina attempted suicide after his death. Subsequent accounts of her life suggest she went mad with excessive drug use. Kirchner portrayed his wife so often that it would be impossible to ignore their artist and muse-like relationship. His portrayals of Nina suggest enchantment, beauty, and certainly love. Kirchner’s postcards are among the most highly collectable. His rarest designs are extremely valuable and continue to fetch large sums at auction."

Here is a link to ArtHistory.net:

http://www.arthistory.net/artists/raphaelkirchner/raphaelkirchner1.html

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!

36.00 USD

Beautiful card by Raphael Kirchner from during the period he spent in Paris.

This card was glued into an album at some point, and whoever removed it left plenty of evidence of this attached to the back side. For this reason, while the card is in otherwise very nice condition, we are listing it at a very low price. Please examine our high res scans carefully for detail.

For more on Kirchner, please read the wonderful summary below, that we found on the website ArtHistory.net. We usually write our own listings, but this is great. Informative, concise, and we certainly couldn't have done it better!



"Introduction to the Artist Raphael Kirchner
By ArtHistory.net



Vienna-born artist Raphael Kirchner was born in 1876. Influenced by Aubrey Beardsley’s Art Nouveau style, Kirchner has often been compared to the artist Alphonse Mucha who also primarily painted women. But while Mucha went on to focus on poster art, Kirchner designed postcards during what has been dubbed “The Golden Age of Postcards.” Women in Kirchner designs were usually garbed scantily (though elegantly) and shown sitting at their vanities or lounging on beds. Some are simply smelling flowers or playing an instrument like a harp.

Not much is known about Kirchner’s private life. While in Vienna, he painted portraits for wealthy Viennese clients. He later moved to Paris (around 1900) where he illustrated for the magazine La Vie Parisienne. This popular French magazine famously featured other well-known artists like Georges Barbier and Georges Leonnec. The magazine became infamous for its risqué, yet tasteful illustrations of women. Kirchner’s illustrations for the magazine led to his career designing more than one thousand illustrated postcards featuring mostly women.

Most of Kirchner’s women are based on his wife Nina who modeled for him. Many of Kirchner’s designs demonstrated a strong Japanese influence as best evidenced by his Geisha series of illustrations. While in Paris Kirchner continued to do portrait work and illustrate for other magazines. Kirchner’s illustrations of Paris life became very popular—especially as he portrayed its sensual side in bars and fashionable bedrooms. His depictions of women, while erotic, are also exquisitely lovely. Like Mucha, Kirchner portrayed women as essentially beautiful—sometimes ethereally so.

Kirchner moved to the United States around 1914. His postcards became particularly sought after during WWI by soldiers on both sides of the war. Art historians credit Kirchner’s postcards as revealing the first pin up girls. Soldiers collected Kirchner’s postcard beauties and hung them in the trenches. Kirchner’s war postcards were less draughtsmanlike than his earlier designs and also more directly sensual. These erotic postcards were soldiers’ favorites and their popularity during these war years influenced the work of later pin up artists. While in New York, Kirchner also worked as a theatre costume designer as well as a portrait artist.

Kirchner died in 1917. His wife and main model Nina attempted suicide after his death. Subsequent accounts of her life suggest she went mad with excessive drug use. Kirchner portrayed his wife so often that it would be impossible to ignore their artist and muse-like relationship. His portrayals of Nina suggest enchantment, beauty, and certainly love. Kirchner’s postcards are among the most highly collectable. His rarest designs are extremely valuable and continue to fetch large sums at auction."

Here is a link to ArtHistory.net:

http://www.arthistory.net/artists/raphaelkirchner/raphaelkirchner1.html

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

This is a beautiful card produced by Raphael Kirchner, and published by M.M.Vienne.

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!

Apologies to Lewis Carroll :)

Munk published almost countless illustrated images of beautiful women in Art Nouveau style by a large number of artists. Probably the most commonly seen Munk ladies were done by the great Raimund Wichera, who today has faded somewhat into obscurity. Raphael Kirchner, on the other hand, has grown if not more widely known than he was at the height of his popularity in the early 1900s, certainly more collectible, and valued in terms of the artistic quality of his work. Cards out of this particular series are, like many of Wichera's "M.M. Vienne" cards, unsigned, but it has been long established that this series was produced by Raphael Kirchner.

There are a couple of tiny chips out of this card, at one corner, and along the edge, and the card is priced accordingly. The image of the lovely young woman is NOT embossed, though it may appear to be in the scan, and the crimping along the edges was decoratively intentional, and appears on almost all cards out of this series we've found.
Please examine our high res scans carefully for detail.

For more on Kirchner, please read the wonderful summary below, that we found on the website ArtHistory.net. We usually write our own listings, but this is great. Informative, concise, and we certainly couldn't have done it better!



"Introduction to the Artist Raphael Kirchner
By ArtHistory.net



Vienna-born artist Raphael Kirchner was born in 1876. Influenced by Aubrey Beardsley’s Art Nouveau style, Kirchner has often been compared to the artist Alphonse Mucha who also primarily painted women. But while Mucha went on to focus on poster art, Kirchner designed postcards during what has been dubbed “The Golden Age of Postcards.” Women in Kirchner designs were usually garbed scantily (though elegantly) and shown sitting at their vanities or lounging on beds. Some are simply smelling flowers or playing an instrument like a harp.

Not much is known about Kirchner’s private life. While in Vienna, he painted portraits for wealthy Viennese clients. He later moved to Paris (around 1900) where he illustrated for the magazine La Vie Parisienne. This popular French magazine famously featured other well-known artists like Georges Barbier and Georges Leonnec. The magazine became infamous for its risqué, yet tasteful illustrations of women. Kirchner’s illustrations for the magazine led to his career designing more than one thousand illustrated postcards featuring mostly women.

Most of Kirchner’s women are based on his wife Nina who modeled for him. Many of Kirchner’s designs demonstrated a strong Japanese influence as best evidenced by his Geisha series of illustrations. While in Paris Kirchner continued to do portrait work and illustrate for other magazines. Kirchner’s illustrations of Paris life became very popular—especially as he portrayed its sensual side in bars and fashionable bedrooms. His depictions of women, while erotic, are also exquisitely lovely. Like Mucha, Kirchner portrayed women as essentially beautiful—sometimes ethereally so.

Kirchner moved to the United States around 1914. His postcards became particularly sought after during WWI by soldiers on both sides of the war. Art historians credit Kirchner’s postcards as revealing the first pin up girls. Soldiers collected Kirchner’s postcard beauties and hung them in the trenches. Kirchner’s war postcards were less draughtsmanlike than his earlier designs and also more directly sensual. These erotic postcards were soldiers’ favorites and their popularity during these war years influenced the work of later pin up artists. While in New York, Kirchner also worked as a theatre costume designer as well as a portrait artist.

Kirchner died in 1917. His wife and main model Nina attempted suicide after his death. Subsequent accounts of her life suggest she went mad with excessive drug use. Kirchner portrayed his wife so often that it would be impossible to ignore their artist and muse-like relationship. His portrayals of Nina suggest enchantment, beauty, and certainly love. Kirchner’s postcards are among the most highly collectable. His rarest designs are extremely valuable and continue to fetch large sums at auction."

Here is a link to ArtHistory.net:

http://www.arthistory.net/artists/raphaelkirchner/raphaelkirchner1.html

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

First thing, check out their stockings! Gorgeous, all in different designs! Love this! Their matching dresses with embroidered floral designs (lots of sequins) ain't bad either :)

Seesterne is the Geman word for starfish. Starfish is a nice word, but Seesterne is a combination of Sea ("See," pronounced "Zay"), and Star ("Sterne"), or Seastar!! How poetic is that? :) Ain't language fun?

The 6 Seesterne (under the direction of Oskar Siese) seem to have been based in Dusseldorf, Germany, and we've come across a few other images of them, one of these titled The "Four" Starfish (trans.), so they either gained or lost a couple of members somewhere along the line. That particular card was posted in 1911, so we can probably date this one to around 1905-1913 (German cards becoming pretty scarce for a time after 1913, what with WWI and its effect on the German printing industry and commercial export.

Nice unposted condition. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

22.00 USD

Wonderful image, wonderful condition! Vintage German postcard of two dancers, circa 1910s/20s What is "Liebesspiel" you ask? Well, in our very best Pepe Le Pew accent, we translate it for you! It is, "Zee Game of Love..." mmmwa,mmmwa,mmmwa! :)
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

One of our favorite and most magical subgenres of "Lovely Lady" postcards has to be that of the marvelous maenad. Idealized and presumably toned down versions of those wild maidens of ancient Greece, the maenad, as an image, was practically the poster girl of La Belle Epoque, expressing that rich, earthy, "joie de vivre," which has come to be seen as so representative of the era.

Great Art Nouveau image of stage performer Myriel in classical attire with cymbals. Produced by Leopold Reutlinger of Paris, circa 1905, this image was also used as one in a series specifically representing celebrants of the Bacchanal! In that series, the same card, rather than bearing the title Myriel, was titled Bacchante Aux Cymbales! There was another cymbal image in that series as well, in which a different artiste named Beauregard was posed similarly. Additionally, there was another image of Mlle. Beauregard in which she upended a ewer, presumably filled with wine, titled Bacchante Buvant, which simply means "drinking," and yet another titled Bacchante Au Thyrse, in which the Bacchante (also the artiste Myriel in that one) holds up with reverence the "Thyrse," which beyond its modern botanical meaning, is French for the Greek thyrsus, a ceremonial staff topped with a pine cone, often decorated with ivy, and carried by Bacchus (Ivy incidentally, was according to the late English poet and historian Robert Graves, one of the key ingredients used in brews by those wild celebrants to drive them to a frenzy. Let's definitely NOT try this at home ;).

Our fourth listing image (NOT for sale!) is a crop of an interestingly surreal and risque French postcard in our personal collection, showing a larger print (also a slightly different crop) of this Reutlinger photograph being used as fanciful decoration in another studio's set piece! What fun, but this also reminds us that some of these Belle Epoque postcard images were not only popular in postcard form, but as "parlor" art prints of the period!

Some wear to edges and corners, but a lovely 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!

16.00 USD

One of our favorite and most magical subgenres of "Lovely Lady" postcards has to be that of the marvelous maenad. Idealized and presumably toned down versions of those wild maidens of ancient Greece, the maenad, as an image, was practically the poster girl of La Belle Epoque, expressing that rich, earthy, "joie de vivre," which has come to be seen as so representative of the era.

Great Art Nouveau image of stage performer Myriel in classical attire and holding aloft the thyrsus, ancient symbol of Bacchus. Produced by Leopold Reutlinger of Paris, circa 1905, this image was used as one in a series specifically representing celebrants of the Bacchanal! In this series, rather than bearing the title Myriel, the card was titled Bacchante Au Thyrse. There were at least two cymbal images in this series as well, one with Myriel, and another in which a different artiste named Beauregard was posed similarly. Additionally, there was another image of Mlle. Beauregard in which she upended a ewer, presumably filled with wine, titled Bacchante Buvant, which simply means " a bacchante drinking."

The thyrse, beyond its modern botanical meaning, is French for the Greek thyrsus, a ceremonial staff topped with a pine cone, often decorated with ivy, and carried by Bacchus (Ivy incidentally, was according to the late English poet and historian Robert Graves, was one of the key ingredients used in brews by those wild celebrants to drive them into a frenzy. Let's definitely NOT try this at home ;).

Lovely unposted condition. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

29.00 USD

Lovely nude study, printed in Germany, probably 1920s is our guess. Very nice unposted condition. The pose is so natural, and we love the sheen of water on the calf and foot.
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

Marvelous lingerie/boudoir/dressing room image in unusually fine condition, by Heinrich Traut, of Cabaret performer Mary Irber.

When the "Jugend" and theatrical modernism had filtered down to the masses in German society, but was still very much the "in" thing among "upper classes," Mary Irber was a great favorite with those audiences. She performed in Berlin, Salzburg and Munich, with a theatrical troupe put together by a producer named Joseph Hunkele, who according to Peter Jelavich in his "Munich and Theatrical Modernism," "was a cultural parasite of the first order." He was apparently someone who capitalized on the popularity of modernism, proponents of which had expressed the aim of raising variety theater to a high art, but instead, Hunkele "succeeded in pulling cabaret down below the level of vaudeville."

Morality groups and police agents were a constant presence at Irber's performances, and finally, when several witnesses testified at court that Fraulein Irber "imitates the movements of sexual intercourse while singing some of her songs," Hunkele's theatrical concession was revoked.

This publicity apparently did Mary Irber's popularity little harm though, probably boosted it, since images of her in varying states of undress, by photographers such as Georg Gerlach and Heinrich (Henry) Traut abound.

A Classic dressing room, or boudoir, image in unusually fine condition! Glossy, clean and bright! A lucky find.
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

One evening in the garden, Mirabelle, the witch, was indulging the attentions of her lover, the poet, Armand. Everything was as it should have been, better even, until in the midst of whispering sweet declarations of his love, Armand slipped, and rather than Mirabelle's name, he whispered the name of her younger sister, Gisette!

"Ah!" Mirabelle exclaimed, her eyes darkening with anger.
"If like the flighty moth," she said,
"Thou art drawn faithlessly
To any flame that may present,
So then, into a moth's frail form,
By my will, art thou henceforth sent!"

Her words of power echoed through the garden, so that even the hardiest flowers shivered in the soft Summer air, and Armand, well...you can see what became of him.

Poor, poor, Armand. But Mirabelle, I mean, really. She is awfully cool, don't ya think? :)

We think the moral of this story is pretty clear.
Bein' flighty can bring stern reprimands,
as faithless lovers moth understand. (ouch :)

Lovely evocative nude. We believe this one may have been printed in Italy, but we're still researching the company.

Minor wear to edges and corners and some writing on the back in a lovely hand.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

11.00 USD

From the wonderful series of French postcards, "Croissants de Lune," or
"Crescent Moons." In this image, Pierrot pitches his woo, and Colombine listens. Seen from the back side, this card has a tiny chip in the top left corner, and is priced accordingly.

To learn a little more about Pierrot and his friends, just follow the link below to our blog, where you can read about Pierrot's origins in renaissance Italy, his popularity in France, enjoy a number of images of Pierrot and Colombine on postcards and other works of art, and listen to a beautiful aria from a famous opera inspired by Pierrot.

http://redpoulaine.blogspot.com/2012/09/pierrots-origins-can-be-found-in.html

Although we couldn't find an appropriate piece of "Moon music" to offer you dating back to early 1900s France, we did find a rather moony number performed by those wonderful crooners the Boswell Sisters, and we hoped you might enjoy listening to it, just for fun!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdNcKoQmDHQ

By its undivided back (a printing practice that went by the wayside in 1904
in France and in 1906 in the USA, we can place this card as having been
printed at the latest in 1904, but probably a bit closer to 1900.

This was a very beloved series of cards in early 1900s France, so they are not that terribly hard to find, but it is not often we come across these in
such nice, unposted condition. On this one, the light-sensitive silver
bromide used in the photo printing process has, over the last 110 years,
partially migrated to the surface of the print, a phenomenon commonly known as "silvering," that for us always adds a bit of romance to an antique photograph and in this particular case, can't help but evoke the magic of moonlight :)
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!

56.00 USD

3 cards reserved as per convo

33.00 USD

as per convo