19.00 USD

Many images of Lise Fleuron we find, like those of her sister Miaty, are a tad on the suggestive side. Mlle. Fleuron was born in the 1870s in Alsace-Lorraine. She was actually born Marguerite Rauscher. If that reads very German to you, it's because the region of Alsace-Lorraine, a border-land, was for a very long time under the control of France, and then Germany, and then back again, and so on.
However, when Prussia annexed Alsace-Lorraine in the early 1870s, Herr, or Monsieur, Rauscher, declared French, rather than German, nationality and when Lise and her sister sought fame as performers in Parisian Cafe-Concerts, they naturally adopted French names.

This card's image is one out of a series that was published in France at around the turn of the century by B.F. of Paris (Sorry, no history on this printer as yet). This particular card is a German one though, not French and it differs from what we've come to think of as the French original in the text printed to the right of the image (see our second listing image). "Willst du meine Miez?" or in English..."Do you want my (ahem) kitty?" Well, really!!

Let's not put those words into Mlle. Fleuron's mouth, okay? I mean, she was a bit of a scandal, they say, and both she and her sister were famous for the generosity of their bosoms and the plunging necklines of the costumes they wore displaying them to the best advantage, but we're going to assume the text on this card was the invention of some scurrilous publisher and had nothing to do with her :)

The name Fleuron suggests a flower-shaped jewel and it may or may not be coincidental that in 1884, the French author Georges Ohnet, a popular novelist of the period whose name, at the time, was as well known as that of his contemporary, Emile Zola, published a work of fiction titled "Lise Fleuron." That novel spun the tale of a young girl...her fall from innocence...her gradual climb to success in the theaters of Paris...romance, scandal, and according to at least one British reviewer, a lack of morality, which might be why it quickly sold through more than 100 editions! When attempting to research the Fleuron sisters, we run across page after page of references to this novel. When that book was published, the young Marguerite Rauscher would not have been more than 10 or so years old, but would it be so surprising to learn that a young actress adopted the name of a very famous fictional siren of the stage and that her sister Méaty followed suit also adopting the name Fleuron? Maybe not so much :) She would have enjoyed immediate "brand recognition," at the very least.

The two sisters were very popular stage performers (and postcard queens) of the late 1800s and very early 1900s. Their time was generally a good decade before most of the stage artistes featured on our cards, and by the beginning of WWI (1914), the end of that beautiful era (la Belle Epoque), their popularity seems to have waned.

A nice find in nice unposted condition 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!

22.00 USD

Here at Red Poulaine, we have a special place in our hearts for the Italian actress images of the early 1900s and into the 1920s. The quality of the portrait photography and subsequent postcard publication was particularly rich, with a flair for the dramatic and mysterious. Many of our favorites, like Anna Fougez and Nella Regini, began their careers as sciantose, a variation on the French term chanteuse, meaning female singer, but bringing to it other meanings, and implying a dark, mysterious, exotic quality that appealed to the theater going public at the time, and certainly appeals to us :) Naturally we love all of our images or we probably wouldn't purchase them for our shop, and feel an almost filial affection for the performers onto whom we project imagined personalities and traits (is that weird? :), but there is something about what seems to have been at the time a very Italian penchant for carrying the illusion of the stage and screen out into the public venue, a tendency to make even larger, the already "larger than life" persona of the theatrical personality, that we really love. So we have decided to open a new section devoted exclusively to these Italian artistes. We call it "La Bella Donna," and yes it is a bit of a play on words, given the tendency in many of these cards to focus on the "Femme Fatale." We hope you will enjoy these images as much as we do.

This image, depicting her grand death scene in "Messalina," is a very important one in the history of Italian silent film, particularly from Signora de Liguoro's point of view. See the bloody dagger at the base of the image! Grisly! This costume was very precious to the actress. More about this below.

Also, it appears from some stills we've seen of this film, that this was a suicide scene. In the histories, however, the empress was offered the dagger, and the option of suicide, but declined, and was stabbed to death by her executioner.

Historically, The Roman empress Messalina (wife of the Emperor Claudius) is usually depicted as a scheming, morally bankrupt, sexually voracious villain, so one can only imagine that la Signora de Liguoro had great fun with the role! In reality, the old Roman historians who told the story of Messalina's reign, were writing about her decades after her death, in a political climate that was hostile to the royal family with whom she was associated, and as Wikipedia points out in its article, the attribution of morally corrupt acts, and sexual exploits in particular, was (and still is today, for that matter) a common smear tactic used by political enemies to blacken the names of their rivals. We're not suggesting she was Florence Nightingale, but probably unfairly maligned, just the same.

Speaking of Florence, Rina De Liguoro was born there, in 1892. She is sometimes known as the last of Italy's great silent movie stars. She began her stage career as a concert pianist, and then began acting in film in the late teens. In 1922, she starred as the Empress Messalina in "Messalina, Fall of an Empress" This was apparently the turning point in her career.

Through the 20s, she made several successful films, then moved to Hollywood, but the age of the silents was over, and she won only small supporting roles. She was often billed as the Countess De Liguoro, which was appropriate enough, since her husband was a count!

She returned to Italy in the late 30s, rekindled her career as a pianist while occasionally performing relatively small parts in film. She passed away in Rome, in 1966, and was buried in the costume she wore in her first big film, "Messalina," which is a pretty romantic touch, we think :) Yes, the woman in this image wore the costume she is wearing here, to her grave!

We have a card in our shop autographed by the Countess, from the same important film! Link below.

https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/redpoulaine/tools/listings/query:autographed,section:13678303/126586190

Also, if you follow the below link to Youtube, you can see a couple of short clips from the actual film, wedged in between what seems to be a late 1940s beauty/talent search. The few moments of la Signora are really wonderful though. Don't miss them :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yuPKIsX0SU

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!

69.00 USD

Welcome to our artifacts section. We decided we needed a place to showcase unusual items that present, beyond what they are themselves, unique historical qualities. Over time, we'll be shifting our autographed postcards into this section, as well as listing other very special items.

H. Gray was the pseudonym for Monsieur Henri Boulanger (1858-1924), a magazine illustrator and poster artist of la Belle Epoque who is probably best known today for his wonderful posters of bicycles.

This is a magnificent artifact of the period, the cover of an event program for an evening's entertainment at the Casino de Paris! This chromolithograph measures about 8 and 1/2 by 4 inches, and as you can see, is in very nice condition with some wear to edges, but no tears, and brilliant colors.

One evening in the late 1890s, early 1900s, at the Casino de Paris someone may have held this program in their gloved hands, accepted Monsieur Boulanger's decorative cover art as merely a matter of course, and reviewed the various acts that would be appearing onstage. They ordered a meal, perhaps wine, or maybe they demanded a glass of Heinekin beer as the advertisement on the reverse side of this program cover asks them to :) Imagine this wonderful item matted and framed in the room where you keep your collection. We were very excited to find this, and take a lot of pleasure in sharing it with you :)

16.00 USD

Aphrodite, the goddess of love, rises from the sea each dawn, and floats to shore on a pure white shell. Unposted and in very nice condition, what a cool valentine's day gift this would make.

Our unidentified model is garbed in a close fitting elastic suit, sometimes called the liberty, or union, suit. Yep, this faux-nude costume was invented in the United States in the mid 1800s, its purpose, to liberate womanhood from the constraints of the tight-laced corset.

It was called the union suit after the union side in the civil war. The idea was that the union was fighting to free the slaves, and the union suit would free women from the strictures of whalebone!

Lovely card!
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

18.00 USD

Wish we'd received this in for May day! Lovely hand-coloration on this barely risque French postcard, circa 1904.

Why 1904? Check out the text on the obverse of the card:

"Tous les pays etrangere n'acceptent pas la correspondance au recto se renseigner a la poste,"

which translates (more or less) as, "Not all foreign countries accept correspondence on this side of the card. Inquire at post office."

After England first introduced the divided back postcard in late 1902, an arrangement that allowed for text messages, or even advertisements, in the section to the left of the recipient's address, other nations followed suit, but slowly. Though France began allowing divided back cards in 1904, the United States, for example, didn't allow them until 1906. So the text on our card warned the sender of this limitation. In 1904 or 1905, the text would have made good sense, and also helps us establish a tentative date of publication.

What would have happened if in 1904 we'd sent this card from France to a friend in America? Well, it might have had an "added postage" tariff stamp slapped onto it (an added fee charged to the recipient upon delivery. Not very classy if sending a postcard to a sweetheart, for instance :), or possibly the card would simply have been tossed into the waste basket by one of those "by the numbers" postal clerks they had long ago. Thank goodness we don't have any of those nowadays (wink).

This card is so bright and cheerful, evocative of the era, and just a little weird, don't you think? All of which makes it lots of fun :) Added bonus? Near pristine 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

How cute is this Pierrette? Love the tuft of hair popping out of her beanie :) The photographer Robert Boivin apparently got started in Paris right around 1890 and seems to have kept himself fairly busy. He was certainly no Reutlinger or Walery, but for a humble portraitist with a small studio along the Boulevard Poissonniere, one who it seems was having trouble getting the cash together to buy a new drop cloth, see what a lively response he was able to draw out of this client! I've never done any portrait photography, but surely that must be half the battle. Charming, charming RPPC.
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

Elegant blonde actress Lee Parry (1901-1977) was a star of German film (largely comedies) during the 1920s. Later, she was also a radio star and recording artist. Following World War Two, Fraulein Parry lived in Argentina with her husband, the director of the Freie Deutsche Bühne the theater company of exiled Germans. Important note--the Freie Deutsche Bühne was from its beginnings primarily composed of anti-fascist German Jewish refugees who sought to maintain the tradition of Weimar era German theater that pretty much disappeared when Hitler rose to power in '33.

To get an idea of her singing voice (which we love!) follow the link below to Youtube and a nice little foxtrot number, "Ein Bischen Liebe fur Mich," or A Little Love for Me :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aYa5wn2b8o

Almost pristine, 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!

16.00 USD

Love the color on this one! Fun Jugendstil boudoir image printed in chromolithograph on this early 1900s German postcard. Prior to 1906, postcards used in Germany were printed without that central vertical line separating the backs of postcards into two sections, the left hand section for messages and the right for the address.

At that time (prior to 1906), no writing outside of the address was allowed on the backside of postcards posted in Germany and all personal messages needed to be written on the image side.

So you see, since this particular card was printed prior to 1906 for use in Germany, it was not printed with the vertical line in the center, but because it was posted in 1906, after the regulations had been changed, the sender wanted to write their message on the back just the same, so what did they do? They drew a vertical line on the card to make everything ship shape!

Enough postcard geekery, I guess :)

This old card is in nice posted condition, though rather rounded and rubbed at 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!

24.00 USD

Lebender Marmor, or Living Marble. One of a very popular postcard series in which the models, often in classical costume (or, as in this case, almost entirely out of costume :), were posed and made up to resemble marble statues. This one is a real beauty with lovely silvering of the image that adds to the antiquated aura of the image!

See another card from the same series:

https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/redpoulaine/tools/listings/stats:true/268159810

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

Pre 1906 German postcard. Promotional card sold to visitors. Card text reads: "Der lebende Eismensch aus dem nordlichtenchten Canada." The living Iceman of northernmost Canada. Pretty neat, huh? Who knew that up in Canada there were these magical ice people? I guess the key here is that circus and carnival goers intentionally suspended disbelief while on a quest for fun and excitement, kinda like modern folks do on the internet :) Really makes us wonder what such an act might have entailed...ice sickle swallowing? Polar bear wrestling? 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 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 items. We do not charge for shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing we are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

19.00 USD

Absolutely wonderful RPPC of woman, garbed a la Isadora Duncan, emerging from the dark into the light. Wish we had a little context for this, a photographer or publisher, but no such luck.
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 shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

24.00 USD

Are they really twins? Okay, perhaps not. Maybe just a couple of friends dressed up for the féte. Either way, an irreplaceable, priceless image :)
RPPCs (Real Photo Postcards) like this one were usually produced in local photo studios, sometimes in amateur photographer's workshops, but nearly always their production run was very limited, just large enough to share with friends and family. Consequently, they are as rare an item as they can be. We might value a particular card highly, or not at all, depending on our personal tastes, but we can be fairly certain we'll never see their like again. As postcards, RPPCs of this type open a window into the past that, rather than being produced by the popular media of the time, which just as ours does today, intentionally catered to the consumer, instead captured personal memories and so, we think, better reflect the actual experience of people living in that place and time. So though we love all the postcards we bring into our shop, we feel a very special affection for our odd and quirky RPPCs.
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 shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

16.00 USD

Gorgeously hand-colored vintage postcard published by NPG, the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft of Berlin, circa 1906. This is one of five cards in a series we recently acquired. We've read that most card series from that time ran to six cards, though we've seen some that are comprised of as many as a dozen cards. Each of the cards in the partial series, of which this is one, are numbered in the bottom left corner. One of them is numbered 9, and since we have only five of these to offer, if you're up to the challenge, you have still a little collecting to do :)

In addition to the lovely coloration, for this edition of the series, NPG utilized their patented "Oranotype" process, one of the innumerable chemical and mechanical processes made use of by printers of photos during that era. Not really knowing what the Oranotype process was, we can at least say that although it was sometimes used for black and white prints too, their glossy surfaces seem usually to have stood the test of time very well, discouraging fading of the photo-print and and in hand-colored images, really helping those colors "pop."

We think the photographer may have been Heinrich (Henry) Traut (1857-1940) of Munich, Germany. He was a very successful portrait and celebrity photographer who was fond of dressing his models in the "Robe Galbée" or contoured gown, commonly called the "mermaid gown" today. Of course, this costume was ubiquitous in the Jugend period, but additionally, Traut often posed his models on or near heavy and very solid-looking studio props like the bench in this image, seemingly constructed of stone, and contrasting sharply with the model's (and her costume's) softness.

The date on the back of the card, 1904, is not the date of the card's printing. It's often mistaken for that, but rather, it's just the recorded patent date of NPG's Oranotype, or "Oranotypie" process.
Loverly condition on this one and really, on all five of these we received in, but all of them have slightly bumped lower left corners. We'll often see, in a group of cards from the same collection, that they share in common the same little bump or crimp as a result of them having been stored, all together, in a particular way for a long period of time. But despite this tiny flaw, a really 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 shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

16.00 USD

Gorgeously hand-colored vintage postcard published by NPG, the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft of Berlin, circa 1906. This is one of five cards in a series we recently acquired. We've read that most card series from that time ran to six cards, though we've seen some that are comprised of as many as a dozen cards. Each of the cards in the partial series, of which this is one, are numbered in the bottom left corner. One of them is numbered 9, and since we have only five of these to offer, if you're up to the challenge, you have still a little collecting to do :)

In addition to the lovely coloration, for this edition of the series, NPG utilized their patented "Oranotype" process, one of the innumerable chemical and mechanical processes made use of by printers of photos during that era. Not really knowing what the Oranotype process was, we can at least say that although it was sometimes used for black and white prints too, their glossy surfaces seem usually to have stood the test of time very well, discouraging fading of the photo-print and and in hand-colored images, really helping those colors "pop."

We think the photographer may have been Heinrich (Henry) Traut (1857-1940) of Munich, Germany. He was a very successful portrait and celebrity photographer who was fond of dressing his models in the "Robe Galbée" or contoured gown, commonly called the "mermaid gown" today. Of course, this costume was ubiquitous in the Jugend period, but additionally, Traut often posed his models on or near heavy and very solid-looking studio props like the bench in this image, seemingly constructed of stone, and contrasting sharply with the model's (and her costume's) softness.

The date on the back of the card, 1904, is not the date of the card's printing. It's often mistaken for that, but rather, it's just the recorded patent date of NPG's Oranotype, or "Oranotypie" process.
Loverly condition on this one and really, on all five of these we received in, but all of them have slightly bumped lower left corners. We'll often see, in a group of cards from the same collection, that they share in common the same little bump or crimp as a result of them having been stored, all together, in a particular way for a long period of time. But despite this tiny flaw, a really 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 shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

16.00 USD

Gorgeously hand-colored vintage postcard published by NPG, the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft of Berlin, circa 1906. This is one of five cards in a series we recently acquired. We've read that most card series from that time ran to six cards, though we've seen some that are comprised of as many as a dozen cards. Each of the cards in the partial series, of which this is one, are numbered in the bottom left corner. One of them is numbered 9, and since we have only five of these to offer, if you're up to the challenge, you have still a little collecting to do :)

In addition to the lovely coloration, for this edition of the series, NPG utilized their patented "Oranotype" process, one of the innumerable chemical and mechanical processes made use of by printers of photos during that era. Not really knowing what the Oranotype process was, we can at least say that although it was sometimes used for black and white prints too, their glossy surfaces seem usually to have stood the test of time very well, discouraging fading of the photo-print and and in hand-colored images, really helping those colors "pop."

We think the photographer may have been Heinrich (Henry) Traut (1857-1940) of Munich, Germany. He was a very successful portrait and celebrity photographer who was fond of dressing his models in the "Robe Galbée" or contoured gown, commonly called the "mermaid gown" today. Of course, this costume was ubiquitous in the Jugend period, but additionally, Traut often posed his models on or near heavy and very solid-looking studio props like the bench in this image, seemingly constructed of stone, and contrasting sharply with the model's (and her costume's) softness.

The date on the back of the card, 1904, is not the date of the card's printing. It's often mistaken for that, but rather, it's just the recorded patent date of NPG's Oranotype, or "Oranotypie" process.
Loverly condition on this one and really, on all five of these we received in, but all of them have slightly bumped lower left corners. We'll often see, in a group of cards from the same collection, that they share in common the same little bump or crimp as a result of them having been stored, all together, in a particular way for a long period of time. But despite this tiny flaw, a really 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 shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

16.00 USD

Gorgeously hand-colored vintage postcard published by NPG, the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft of Berlin, circa 1906. This is one of five cards in a series we recently acquired. We've read that most card series from that time ran to six cards, though we've seen some that are comprised of as many as a dozen cards. Each of the cards in the partial series, of which this is one, are numbered in the bottom left corner. One of them is numbered 9, and since we have only five of these to offer, if you're up to the challenge, you have still a little collecting to do :)

In addition to the lovely coloration, for this edition of the series, NPG utilized their patented "Oranotype" process, one of the innumerable chemical and mechanical processes made use of by printers of photos during that era. Not really knowing what the Oranotype process was, we can at least say that although it was sometimes used for black and white prints too, their glossy surfaces seem usually to have stood the test of time very well, discouraging fading of the photo-print and and in hand-colored images, really helping those colors "pop."

We think the photographer may have been Heinrich (Henry) Traut (1857-1940) of Munich, Germany. He was a very successful portrait and celebrity photographer who was fond of dressing his models in the "Robe Galbée" or contoured gown, commonly called the "mermaid gown" today. Of course, this costume was ubiquitous in the Jugend period, but additionally, Traut often posed his models on or near heavy and very solid-looking studio props like the bench in this image, seemingly constructed of stone, and contrasting sharply with the model's (and her costume's) softness.

The date on the back of the card, 1904, is not the date of the card's printing. It's often mistaken for that, but rather, it's just the recorded patent date of NPG's Oranotype, or "Oranotypie" process.
Loverly condition on this one and really, on all five of these we received in, but all of them have slightly bumped lower left corners. We'll often see, in a group of cards from the same collection, that they share in common the same little bump or crimp as a result of them having been stored, all together, in a particular way for a long period of time. But despite this tiny flaw, a really 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 shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

16.00 USD

Gorgeously hand-colored vintage postcard published by NPG, the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft of Berlin, circa 1906. This is one of five cards in a partial series we recently acquired. We've read that most card series from that time ran to six cards, though we've seen some that are comprised of as many as a dozen cards. Each of the cards in the partial series, of which this is one, are numbered in the bottom left corner. One of them is numbered 9, and since we have only five of these to offer, if you're up to the challenge, you have still a little collecting to do :)

In addition to the lovely coloration, for this edition of the series, NPG utilized their patented "Oranotype" process, one of the innumerable chemical and mechanical processes made use of by printers of photos during that era. Not really knowing what the Oranotype process was, we can at least say that although it was sometimes used for black and white prints too, their glossy surfaces seem usually to have stood the test of time very well, discouraging fading of the photo-print and and in hand-colored images, really helping those colors "pop."

We think the photographer may have been Heinrich (Henry) Traut (1857-1940) of Munich, Germany. He was a very successful portrait and celebrity photographer who was fond of dressing his models in the "Robe Galbée" or contoured gown, commonly called the "mermaid gown" today. Of course, this costume was ubiquitous in the Jugend period, but additionally, Traut often posed his models on or near heavy and very solid-looking studio props like the bench in this image, seemingly constructed of stone, and contrasting sharply with the model's (and her costume's) softness.

The date on the back of the card, 1904, is not the date of the card's printing. It's often mistaken for that, but rather, it's just the recorded patent date of NPG's Oranotype, or "Oranotypie" process.
Loverly condition on this one and really, on all five of these we received in, but all of them have slightly bumped lower left corners. We'll often see, in a group of cards from the same collection, that they share in common the same little bump or crimp as a result of them having been stored, all together, in a particular way for a long period of time. But despite this tiny flaw, a really 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 shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

11.00 USD

Beautifully hand-tinted card depicting a woman in a charming gown having a drink and a smoke. We love the carefully decorative application of white paste on the card too!

Contrary to popular belief, women weren't usually restricted by law from smoking, even in public, in the early 20th century. In a rare instance, in 1908, a municipal law was passed in New York city that restricted smoking by women in public places...this lasted a few weeks before it was repealed.

On the other hand, it was definitely an unpopular habit, and women seen smoking tended to be looked down upon. Still, politically, smoking and drinking were seen by many women as expressive of a much sought after status of equality between genders and images like this one were viewed as "thoroughly modern" and were popular with supporters of suffrage.

By the 1920s, cigarette companies were doing their best to encourage women in taking up smoking. It was made to look stylish and sexy. On an ironic note, Marlboros, the cigarette that oldsters like us, who remember the TV ads, associate with the "Marlboro Man," a very "male" rugged cowboy-type, were originally (in the mid-1920s) marketed to women as being "Mild as May" and sporting ivory colored tips for that feminine look (thanks Wikipedia!).

One of six lovely vintage postcards in a series that beautifully captures a bit of the 1910s.
Nice unposted condition, but with a tiny crimp in the upper-left corner (all six of the cards we acquired from this series have the same little crimp, probably occurring during decades of long term storage).
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

Beautifully hand-tinted card depicting a woman in a charming gown having a drink and a smoke. We love the carefully decorative application of white paste on the card too!

Contrary to popular belief, women weren't usually restricted by law from smoking, even in public, in the early 20th century. In a rare instance, in 1908, a municipal law was passed in New York city that restricted smoking by women in public places...this lasted a few weeks before it was repealed.

On the other hand, it was definitely an unpopular habit, and women seen smoking tended to be looked down upon. Still, politically, smoking and drinking were seen by many women as expressive of a much sought after status of equality between genders and images like this one were viewed as "thoroughly modern" and were popular with supporters of suffrage.

By the 1920s, cigarette companies were doing their best to encourage women in taking up smoking. It was made to look stylish and sexy. On an ironic note, Marlboros, the cigarette that oldsters like us who remember the TV ads, associate with the "Marlboro Man," a very "male" rugged cowboy-type, were originally (in the mid-1920s) marketed to women as being "Mild as May" and sporting ivory colored tips for that feminine look (thanks Wikipedia!).

One of six lovely vintage postcards in a series that beautifully captures a bit of the 1910s.
Nice unposted condition, but with a tiny crimp in the upper-left corner (all six of the cards we acquired from this series have the same little crimp, probably occurring during decades of long term storage).
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

Beautifully hand-tinted card depicting a woman in a charming gown having a drink and a smoke. We love the carefully decorative application of white paste on the card too!

Contrary to popular belief, women weren't usually restricted by law from smoking, even in public, in the early 20th century. In a rare instance, in 1908, a municipal law was passed in New York city that restricted smoking by women in public places...this lasted a few weeks before it was repealed.

On the other hand, it was definitely an unpopular habit, and women seen smoking tended to be looked down upon. Still, politically, smoking and drinking were seen by many women as expressive of a much sought after status of equality between genders and images like this one were viewed as "thoroughly modern" and were popular with supporters of suffrage.

By the 1920s, cigarette companies were doing their best to encourage women in taking up smoking. It was made to look stylish and sexy. On an ironic note, Marlboros, the cigarette that oldsters like us who remember the TV ads, associate with the "Marlboro Man," a very "male" rugged cowboy-type, were originally (in the mid-1920s) marketed to women as being "Mild as May" and sporting ivory colored tips for that feminine look (thanks Wikipedia!).

One of six lovely vintage postcards in a series that beautifully captures a bit of the 1910s.
Nice unposted condition, but with a tiny crimp in the upper-left corner (all six of the cards we acquired from this series have the same little crimp, probably occurring during decades of long term storage).
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!