17.00 USD

We know nothing about the beautiful Montez sisters. From "Danse Acrobatique" we guess they were a circus/vaudeville act. Is it just us, or do their faces seem to say. "I've got a secret..." Wonderful image by Gerlach of Berlin.
A lovely card with minor wear to edges and corners.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

24.00 USD

Voted "Most Feared" of all teams in the 1909 Brooklyn Division,
the Moscow Maulers strike trembling fingers of icy dread into the lily-livered opposition! Just last Saturday night, team leader "Moiderous" Marinoshka was overheard threatening the leader of another team.
"Just you wait," she bellowed, shaking her ham fist like a mallet. "We're gonna make Minsk meat outa youse guys!"
To which the other responded, "Why, I oughta..."

Okay. Pure Fiction. The "sports entertainment" later known as Roller Derby didn't really come into its own before the 1940s, its popularity egged on by none other than the great Damon Runyon, but hey....it coulda happened!

Wonderful Italian card, what appears to be a promotional RPPC of what was probably a great act. Nice unposted condition with a little rounding to the corners. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

39.00 USD

"Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome..."

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

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

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

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

A great autographed card signed and dedicated by one of the biggest stars of German silent film! We've only got smatterings of German and when it comes to foreign languages in longhand, well, we're just not too polished, but we do make out the word "freundliche," so we know she wrote something friendly :)

Ernst Schneider was one of the most important glamor photographers of the 1910s, 20s, and into the 30s, in Germany. His studio on Unter den Linden in Berlin welcomed the biggest film stars of the day, like Lya Mara as we see here and earlier, stars of the stage as well, and dancers like Anna Pavlova and Mata Hari!

Extraordinary 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!

34.00 USD

Spectacular Ross Verlag postcard printed in Germany in the late 1920s. Just gorgeous. In sepia tone it's pretty hard to tell but those earrings look like old Taxco silver to us. We always hesitate to plaster "rare" on our postcards, so we won't in this case, but this card is actually very difficult to find. One reason might be because the performer has no available history to speak of. Following a few paths we did find her in the variety pages of a couple of Washington D.C. newspapers, making what appeared to be vaudeville appearances as a dancer in a venue directly across from the White House in the fall of 1922.

For the life of us, we can't make out the photographer's name (in script, lower left hand corner), but read the word "Berlin" beneath the signature. The number beneath that indicates that this card was produced in 1927, maybe '28.
Beautiful Ross card, in beautiful condition, of an unknown to us, glamor gal of the '20s. Hope she had a grand old time :)
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!

18.00 USD

Beautiful Xenia Desni was born in Kiev, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), in 1894. During the Russian Revolution she traveled to Constantinople, where she worked as a variety dancer under the name Xenia, and also the name Dada. The early 20's found her in Berlin, where she made her film debut in "Sappho," 1921. She enjoyed a short but successful film career in Germany but, like so many silent stars, didn't make a successful transition to the talkies. In 1931, Miss Desni left Berlin with her daughter Tamara Desni, for London. Tamara Desni became a successful actress in her own right, both in British film and on the stage in the West End. Tamara Desni was born in 1913 and as I write this, I imagine Xenia Desni, having fled the Russian revolution for Constantinople, working as a variety dancer with her baby daughter in tow. Times were probably very hard. It seems both mother and daughter eventually settled in France, where Xenia Desni passed away in 1954. Thanks to European Film Star Postcards, a favorite site of ours online, for much of the information in this listing and, as always, to Wikipedia!!

A charming card, published by Ross in Berlin, but photographed by László Willinger of Vienna, a gifted studio photographer who enjoyed great success in Europe, and eventually emigrated to the U.S., becoming a well known celebrity photographer in Hollywood. Very nice condition on this one!
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!

18.00 USD

Xenia Desni and a Cuddly Friend, German Postcard by Ross Verlag circa 1927
Beautiful Xenia Desni was born in Kiev, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), in 1894. During the Russian Revolution she traveled to Constantinople, where she worked as a variety dancer under the name Xenia, and also the name Dada. The early 20's found her in Berlin, where she made her film debut in "Sappho," 1921. She enjoyed a short but successful film career in Germany but, like so many silent stars, didn't make a successful transition to the talkies. In 1931, Miss Desni left Berlin with her daughter Tamara Desni, for London. Tamara Desni became a successful actress in her own right, both in British film and on the stage in the West End. Tamara Desni was born in 1913 and as I write this, I imagine Xenia Desni, having fled the Russian revolution for Constantinople, working as a variety dancer with her baby daughter in tow. Times were probably very hard. It seems both mother and daughter eventually settled in France, where Xenia Desni passed away in 1954. Thanks to European Film Star Postcards, a favorite site of ours online, for much of the information in this listing and, as always, to Wikipedia!!

A charming card, published by Ross in Berlin, but photographed by László Willinger of Vienna, a gifted studio photographer who enjoyed great success in Europe, and eventually emigrated to the U.S., becoming a well known celebrity photographer in Hollywood. Very nice condition on this one!
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!

44.00 USD

An actress who needs no introduction! An autograph as well! Such fun. We're guessing early 1930s. Mercure Film, as far as we've learned (it's been a hard one to trace), was an early silent film production company bought up by a larger German concern in the 30's. Miss Dietrich looks quite young here.
A nice card with two small visible creases in the upper and lower right corners.
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!

93.00 USD

Lot of four cards as per convos.

Xenia Desni and a Cuddly Friend, German Postcard by Ross Verlag circa 1927
Beautiful Xenia Desni was born in Kiev, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), in 1894. During the Russian Revolution she traveled to Constantinople, where she worked as a variety dancer under the name Xenia, and also the name Dada. The early 20's found her in Berlin, where she made her film debut in "Sappho," 1921. She enjoyed a short but successful film career in Germany but, like so many silent stars, didn't make a successful transition to the talkies. In 1931, Miss Desni left Berlin with her daughter Tamara Desni, for London. Tamara Desni became a successful actress in her own right, both in British film and on the stage in the West End. Tamara Desni was born in 1913 and as I write this, I imagine Xenia Desni, having fled the Russian revolution for Constantinople, working as a variety dancer with her baby daughter in tow. Times were probably very hard. It seems both mother and daughter eventually settled in France, where Xenia Desni passed away in 1954. Thanks to European Film Star Postcards, a favorite site of ours online, for much of the information in this listing and, as always, to Wikipedia!!

A charming card, published by Ross in Berlin, but photographed by László Willinger of Vienna, a gifted studio photographer who enjoyed great success in Europe, and eventually emigrated to the U.S., becoming a well known celebrity photographer in Hollywood. Very nice condition on this one!
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!

110.00 USD

as per convo

62.00 USD

as per convo

70.00 USD

Josephine Baker (1906-1975), needs very little introduction. She was one of the most beloved entertainers in the Paris of the 1920s and 30s, and during WWII smuggled secret messages for the French Resistance, for which she "was later awarded the Medal of the Resistance with Rosette and named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the French government."

She came from a very humble background in St. Louis Missouri. Her mother was a wash woman, and her father a drummer on the vaudeville circuit who abandoned the family very early on, and perhaps it was that, in the way that children will long terribly to make proud a parent whose love they miss, that drove her in the direction she took in life.

Sadly, the country of her birth did not treat her with much generosity. Even after achieving great success in France, upon returning to the USA, she still faced the color barrier, and this was the case on subsequent visits for much of her life, though much later, her achievements finally began to receive recognition here.

In 1975, just a few days after giving a final performance which drew rave reviews, she went into a coma and died.

She loved animals, keeping quite a menagerie, and was the adoptive mother of many, many children whom she referred to as her "rainbow" tribe as they came from varied backgrounds and ethnicities.

This is a wonderful, rare and original card published some time in the late 20s or early 30s. It looks like it was printed by Ross Verlag of Berlin or by Iris Verlag, an Austrian house, in format, but bears the words Photo Ciné Paris. There are few entertainers whose original postcard images are as collected and highly valued as Miss Baker's. Mata Hari is one, certainly, and Theda Bara is another. We are so pleased to be able to share this one with you. A great image, a dazzling smile, and in nice condition too.

Below is a link you can follow to the "Official Josephine Baker" website, from which we drew most of our biographical information. We had not known of her work in the resistance (she was at that time, by the way, a French citizen due to her marriage with a Frenchman), and their biographical sketch is detailed and wonderful.

http://www.cmgww.com/stars/baker/about/biography.html

Please examine our high res scans for detail on this card.

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

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!

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!

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!

26.00 USD

"Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome..."

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

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

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

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

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

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

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!

22.00 USD

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

We especially love the stenciled background on this wonderful Pierrot (carnaval) image. Great card! Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

22.00 USD

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!