29.00 USD

Superb image by Jean Agelou, circa 1910s. Love this costume :)
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

Funny risque postcard circa 1920s. Great outfit and great, great, shoes with those wonderful Louis heels! Image takes the old "mirror routine" a little further than most examples we 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 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

Titled "Mara," this is a charming glamor image from Germany out of the early 1910s. The postmark is muddy, but looks like 1912. This is a style of glamor image we see quite a lot of out of Germany circa 1910, dark background, partially veiled beauty, with a variety of hand-coloring on the veil itself that we find particularly fetching!

Note the stamp on the back of the card. It is a Bavarian 5 pfennig stamp, common enough on German postcards of the 1900s, and because they stopped printing it in 1911, it is sometimes a helpful clue in dating a card even when the postmark is illegible.

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 those lovely celestial images :) So charming and so evocative of the era.
Please note that the bottom edge (on the image side) was somewhat unevenly trimmed.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

18.00 USD

Utterly charming photogravure of Psyche's night visit. Overcome by curiosity, she sneaks into her lover's room to catch a glimpse of him as he sleeps. What happens next? You'll get no spoilers here. See the movie :)
Dating this card to the 1910s is probably a fair guess. If anything it's a bit older, 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!

17.00 USD

Lovely bit of early 20th century popular iconography! This is one of several beautiful religion-oriented postcards we're offering this week in which the images, though classic, make use of then contemporary style and fashion elements, in this case the model's "raccoon eyes," prevalent in early silent film. Just wonderful! Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

33.00 USD

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!

22.00 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!

Hanni Weisse was born Johanna (Hanni), Klara Theresa Weisse in 1892. She was a cellist, who while on tour in the 1910s met film director Max Mack and as a result of this meeting entered the early silent film industry. She became a huge star, making over 100 films, but did very little after the talkies entered the picture. Later in life, she and her husband became restauranteurs and apparently were successful in this line, providing a meeting place for people in the arts community. Fraulein Weisse passed away in West Germany, in 1967. Below is a brief quote translated from an early interview with her.

" I experience my role and live through it. And when I later see myself in the movie, so I experience it all again, what I felt while playing the role. It is for me the most beautiful consciousness, to have a role given all that, what the author has put into them, only one who has experienced and lived through their role, can create this experience for others."

Now grab some popcorn and watch "Der Andere," or The Other, a psychological mystery wherein Fraulein Weisse plays the wronged maid, Amelie. Directed by Max Mack in 1913, this film was made in the second year of her career, when she was already taking important roles. English subs, but no soundtrack whatsoever, so you need to be a dedicated watcher :) Youtube link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ919AY6FHI

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

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

18.00 USD

First released in December of 1925, Ben-Hur was one of the epics of epics, a magnificent movie with (according to the trailer) a cast not just of thousands, but more than onehundred and fifty thousand!

For a very detailed and entertaining article on the making of this film, you can follow the below link to Fritzi Kramer's "Movies Silently." We think we've just happened upon a research treasure in this wonderful site:

http://moviessilently.com/2015/08/30/ben-hur-1925-a-silent-film-review/

A French postcard with no evident publisher attribution. Minor foxing on the reverse 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!

14.00 USD

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

If only we could learn from history, sigh.

Love this RPPC, such fun! Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

18.00 USD

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

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

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

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

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

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

39.00 USD

A spectacular card! One of four in a series of great vaudeville acrobat postcards we recently acquired for the shop.

Though published circa 1906 (the year Germany began allowing divided back cards), these images seem untypical of what we usually find out of Georg Gerlach's studio at that time. Our guess is that these were printed from negative plates originally used to produce late 19th century CDVs and cabinet cards. If you have an opinion on this, we'd really love to hear from you.
Unfortunately, though we have found an image of the "Trio Versa" from another series of cards, we haven't yet found any history on this troupe.

We were absolutely thrilled to find four cards from this series! Acrobats in action are really difficult to find (and not just because they move around so much! :)

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

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

26.00 USD

The Italian word Attesa translates as "Expectation."
This is only the second of these we've found in the last five years, so from our perspective at least, it's a very uncommon postcard. The image is beautifully soft focused as were many of our favorite Italian glamor images of that time.

All those strands of beads and how they glow! Marvelous lighting. Published by Falci of Milan, the artistic blending of tone and its title, the photographer's or publisher's interpretation of La Tatiana's pose (or its effect on her audience), "Attesa," puts the image for us into something close to the pictorialist fashion in photography.

Unfortunately, we can find no history on the dancer La Tatiana.

She wears what appears to be a shift of assuit (probably over an elaborately sparkling belly dance costume :). Assuit is an Egyptian fabric that originated thousands of years ago and blends thin strips of metal (initially wire which is then flattened during the production process) with natural fiber such as cotton or linen. These strips can be of base metals, such as copper, or even precious metals, like gold.

The fabric is closely associated with belly dancing. In fact, assuit, or tulle-bi-telli as it is also called, was introduced to the American public at the 1893 Chicago world's fair, at the very same time that the art of belly dancing was being introduced here! (Thanks Wikipedia!) The fabric must have enjoyed particular popularity during the 1910s and 20s in Italy, since most of the postcard images we find of performers wearing costumes made of it are out of that time and place.
A magnificent card. Please examine our high res scans for detail.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

24.00 USD

A spectacular card! One of four in a series of great vaudeville acrobat postcards we recently acquired for the shop.

Though published circa 1906 (the year Germany began allowing divided back cards), these images seem untypical of what we usually find out of Georg Gerlach's studio at that time. Our guess is that these were printed from negative plates originally used to produce late 19th century CDVs and cabinet cards. If you have an opinion on this, we'd really love to hear from you.
Unfortunately, though we have found an image of the "Trio Versa" from another series of cards, we haven't yet found any history on this troupe.

We were absolutely thrilled to find four cards from this series! Acrobats in action are really difficult to find (and not just because they move around so much! :)
Though not so recognizable in our scans, small dots of glitter decorate the players costumes at strategic points. These are far more effective in person!

Minor wear but overall in very nice condition. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

22.00 USD

A spectacular card! One of four in a series of great vaudeville acrobat postcards we recently acquired for the shop.

Though published circa 1906 (the year Germany began allowing divided back cards), these images seem untypical of what we usually find out of Georg Gerlach's studio at that time. Our guess is that these were printed from negative plates originally used to produce late 19th century CDVs and cabinet cards. If you have an opinion on this, we'd really love to hear from you.
Unfortunately, though we have found an image of the "Trio Versa" from another series of cards, we haven't yet found any history on this troupe.

We were absolutely thrilled to find four cards from this series! Acrobats in action are really difficult to find (and not just because they move around so much! :) and this card is such fun!
Though not so recognizable in our scans, small dots of glitter decorate the players costumes at strategic points. These are far more effective in person!

Minor wear but overall in very nice condition. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

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!

29.00 USD

Odd little image by Biederer. Lots of fun :)

Ostra Studio was operated by two brothers, Jacques and Charles Biederer. Jacques Biederer emigrated to Paris in the 1890s from what was then the Kingdom of Bohemia (later Czechoslovakia).

He opened his photo studio in around 1908, and in 1913 his brother Charles joined him.

The history on them is a bit murky, but they are today (Jacques in particular) probably the best known Parisian producers of fetish photos during the 1920s and 30s. Pretty wild stuff at the time with rubber corsets, masters/slaves, etc., and lots of spanking, but most of the images we've seen seemed to be intent on maintaining a sense of humor as well.

The two brothers were Jewish, and in the 1940s following the fall of Paris to the Nazis, they were arrested and deported to Auschwitz in Poland. Neither of them survived the Holocaust.

Biederer and Ostra Studio cards are much sought after, and though many of their more outré (always wanted to be able to use that word in a sentence :) images are a little out of our line, we do love our risque flappers, and are very pleased to have found this one!

Great risque, nude French postcard in very nice condition. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

16.00 USD

We fell in love with this one as soon as we saw it. We've seen human hair-applied postcards before, but this one feels so wistful...almost haunted :)

The card is composed of two sheets of thin card stock. They are not attached to each other. If you look at our fourth listing image, you will see a scan of another card produced by the same maker as ours (the card on the fourth listing image is not offered for sale. it is not even our card). Note that in this case, the two sheets of stock are sewn together. We wonder a little if flower petals or some such could have been stitched between them! How romantic that would be :)

Please note that at some point over the last century or so, some little insects feasted on our card. No evidence of their presence now. We're sure that whatever was tasty has long since faded away into nothing. If the idea of a moth-eaten postcard offends some of our customers, we understand completely, while some others, like us, may find this item even more charming with its antique "lace work."

Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

18.00 USD

Gently hand-tinted portrait (one of our favorites of this artiste) by Leopold Reutlinger.
Emilienne D'Alencon was a very popular Parisian dancer of la Belle Epoque and also one of "Les Grandes Trois" The Three Great Ones, also affectionately referred to by the people of France at that time as Les Grandes Horizontales, The Grand Horizontals! :) These titles referred to La Belle Otero, Liane de Pougy, and Emilienne D'Alencon, the three most prominent French performers who not only rose to great fame as stage performers at that time, but who also accumulated immense wealth as the mistresses to scions of Industry and members of European royalty. All three rose from very humble backgrounds to rub elbows with the elite of French society, and that feat made them heroes to the people of France who no doubt viewed their brash success as proof of the egalitarian nature of French society, and as expressing the essential nature of "joie de vivre!"
A truly lovely, unposted card from the very early 1900s.

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

This charming young lady is a bit of a mystery to postcard collectors and we've yet to find out any history on her...even her name. In our shop, we call her "Hat Girl."
She was one of the more prolific models appearing on German postcards in the decade following the turn of the century and we've recently sold a couple of her cards that we suspect were published in the 1920s as well.
Though she seems to have begun her modeling career as a child, appearing in many cozy "family at home and at play" images in the early 1900s, as a young woman, circa 1907-1912, she modeled hats. Big ones, small ones, fancy ones, plain ones and...strange ones :)

This is a fine example...of a strange one :)

"Napfkuchen Form als Hut," or Bundt cake mold as Hat! This was one from a popular series produced circa 1910 titled "Non plus ultra," a Latin phrase meaning Nothing beyond this, or Nothing can top this, or in this context, some might translate it as, "Beyond the Pale," or even "Beyond the Pail," (sorry :)

Wonderful card in wonderful 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.