17.00 USD

Doll communes with Nature. This charming image of a maiden in the woods, just at the moment she crosses the magical boundary of a stream, is imbued with Fae spirit. Surely the famous Belle Epoque performer known as "Doll," portraying the young woman crossing the foot bridge so daintily, could be a wood nymph, or some similar sort of magical being. We love the way in which the magical is suggested in this Reutlinger image, as in so many other images from this time period, without the introduction of a single truly fantastic element. These images make us feel much as we might when reading a fairy tale, as if, at any moment, something truly marvelous will happen.

Nymphs, Naiads, Dryads, and Faerie folk so often cropped up in La Belle Époque imagery, and Leopold Reutlinger of Paris was responsible for bringing many of these “fantaisies” into being. These images reflected a blossoming of a fairy and folklore revival, and a fascination with the western occult tradition as in the case of writers like Dion Fortune, Madame Blavatsky of the Theosophical Society, and others, but on a more basic level, a popular yearning for the magical, for myth made manifest.

This card was published by NPG, die Neue Photographische Gesellschaft of Berlin, and utilized the extremely effective Oranotype method for photo reproduction.

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!

17.00 USD

Wow! This is so wonderful. A Ballerini and Fratini image of this Oslo born film star. Greta Nissen (1906-1982) began her career as a ballerina in Norway, then on to Broadway, and into the silent movies. She was relatively successful, and did make the transition to the talkies, but retired from the business in the 1930s. What we've been able to gather suggests that although she had the reputation of being quite a fine actress, her Norwegian accent was just a bit too heavy for the talkies in the US, and later in Britain.
A very nice unposted card, circa late 1920s.
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

Superlative image of this Oslo born film star. Greta Nissen (1906-1982) began her career as a ballerina in Norway, then on to Broadway, and into the silent movies. She was relatively successful, and did make the transition to the talkies, but retired from the business in the 1930s. What we've been able to gather suggests that although she had the reputation of being quite a fine actress, her Norwegian accent was just a bit too heavy for the talkies in the US, and later in Britain.
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

Cleo de Merode, is possibly the most well known dancer of the Belle Epoque outside of Mata Hari. Certainly she was the postcard queen of the era, and took great care with the images of her, making careful use of the medium to help promote her public recognition. Her postcard images are some of the most sought after and often the most expensive of all the "artistes." This one is a very lovely profile image by Leopold Reutlinger. The signature at the base of the card, though as far as we have determined, is very like her actual signature, is almost certainly NOT an actual autograph! We want to be very clear on this, as we sometimes get signed cards in the shop and it's very important to distinguish between what probably is, and probably is not. In this case, of all the artistes of the era, we don't believe anyone appeared on as many postcards bearing "authentic reproduction" signatures as Mlle. de Merode, the runner up in that contest being, probably, La Belle Otero. In Mlle. de Merode's case, the faux signature almost always appears in this same location on the card.
We did have what we believe to be an authentically autographed image of her, sold some time ago, but if you'd like to see it, and read why we are convinced as to its authenticity, follow the link below.

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/119361638

The card is in very nice condition overall, with minor edge wear, and slightly rounded 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!

19.00 USD

Love that raised eyebrow :) Actually, love the entire image! How Belle Epoque can you get??
Wonderful, glossy, hand-tinted card from an image by Leopold Reutlinger of dancer Mlle. De Nys, gorgeously attired in costume orientale. She will not pass go, but will be immediately listed in our Songs of Salome section.
A lovely old card, circa 1905.
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!

19.00 USD

We really love RPPC (Real Photo Post Card) costume portraits from little known studios. One reason we do, is that you will probably never see another copy of this particular image, simply because small photo studios published their prints in such small editions.This one was produced by Comm. Daghi of Parma, Italy. Certainly in her gorgeous mantilla, this could be a Spanish dancer/actress, but originating as it does in Parma, we are guessing she was an Italian performer in Spanish costume. Of course this could be a vanity portrait taken of a beautiful woman in costume, someone who was not a professional entertainer, but it definitely feels otherwise.
These studio RPPCs often had their names beautifully impressed into the print paper, like this one, in a wonderfully decorative font, and also, another lovely element rarely found in offerings from the large postcard printers is the textured photo print paper used for this card. All in all, a really fine RPPC. Our subject closely resembles Paola Borboni (who, incidentally, came originally from the city of Parma), and given the date written on the back of this card, 1925, the timing is pretty close, but there are a couple of other names written there too, and the resemblance is not all that clear, so we have our doubts that this is Signorina Borboni.

Whoever this mystery woman was, the image evokes the 1920s silent film era marvelously.
A very nice card, indeed. 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

It is remarkable just how few people today are aware of the actual facts behind the story known as Cinderella. Yes, the real Cinderella did live in a rambling old house with a cruel stepmother and stepsisters. And yes, she did have a fairy godmother who helped her gain entrance to the royal ball. But once there, what she and the prince actually got up to makes for a much more interesting tale.

And it wasn't so much the glass slipper, or even the calling card she left behind her, that prompted our prince to search hither, thither and yon, as that Cinderella, the vixen, made off with his best pair of trousers! Yes, Cinderella was much put upon, it is true, but she was also quite the prankster.

Still, you will be happy to know that in the true story, things worked out in much the same way as they did in the tamer version. The cruel stepmother and stepsisters did suffer for their behavior in a very satisfying way, and Mr. and Mrs. Charming did live happily ever after...that is as long as his royal highness kept in mind, just who it was that actually wore the pants in that family.

Now you tell one :)

Okay, but really, we are guessing this is an image from a Gypsy Clairvoyant act of the sort where he would stand up on the stage, and answer audience questions about the dear departed, lost jewelry, etc., evading, as best he could, those questions pertaining to his beautifully embroidered underwear :)

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!

6.00 USD

Probably published circa 1905, this French card, posted 1910, presents a lovely portrait of a young girl with flowers, a spirit of Spring. Some wear to edges and corners present, also very minor shades of the postal cancellation on reverse side shows through.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

Stunning image, circa 1920, of Silent movie maven Pola Negri wearing a gorgeous silken turban. We have sometimes wondered if Miss Negri was less than entirely pleased with the look of her brow on camera, (you know, the way Fred Astaire thought his hands were too large, and always contrived to hide some of his fingers in dance scenes), because she has it covered with crowns and turbans and sashes in more images than any other actress we've run across. In fact, she is credited with creating the fashion of turban wearing here in the U.S.
A wonderful card by Cinemagazine Editions of Paris. We think this company produced some of the very finest film star postcards available at the time. Certainly Ballerini and Fratini, the Italian firm, and of course Alfred Noyer, with his wonderful series, Les Vedettes de Cinema produced some superlative images, but in both cases, it seems often to have been hit or miss, while Cinemagazine Editions really shines overall, both in terms of composition and print quality. Here is a really fine example, in almost new condition.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

17.00 USD

Difficult to piece together a history on Nancy Nash. She made a few silent films in the late 20s, but apparently didn't make the cut into talkies, we read on one blog that her voice was considered too high. She hailed from Kansas, by way of Texas, was married a couple of times, once to a Jay Chotinre, an attorney in LA, and in the 40s, to film producer, Ben Hershfield (also originally from Kansas, by the way). The following bit of scandal we found on the blog called NitrateVille.com:

PostThu Sep 02, 2010 12:43 pm

I found some interesting information about her in the LA Times. In a 9/15/26 article, that James Ryan, Fox casting director, persuaded Winfield Sheehan to sign her after a screen test. She had only been three weeks in Hollywood visiting a friend, who suggested she try for a part in THE CITY, three days before she returned to resume studies at the University of Texas. Her family was from Mercedes, Texas.

She seemed to stil be under contract to Fox into the 1930s, when I found this June 27, 1933 article: "Charged by police with disturbing the peace by using 'vile and profane language' and striking several police officers with her fists when they sought to arrest her following a slight collision of her automobile with one driven by Officer R. E. Smith of the Van Nuys division, Mrs. Jay Chotiner, 23 years of age, known at times in motion pictures as Nancy Nash, pleaded not guilty and asked for a court trial. She was free after meeting $100 bail.

In the August 7, 1933 LA Times, the paper said she would have to pay the city $50 or go to jail for twenty-five days after the judge found her guilty.

End NitrateVille post

A wonderful card by Iris, apparently an Austrian competitor of Ross Verlag, and also bearing the Amag name (Albrecht and Meister of Berlin), perhaps following a merger of the two firms? Little info available on Iris.
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!

14.00 USD

Welcome to "Idols of the 1920s," where we hope to provide a special, cozy place for those of you who long to linger among the stars of the early silver screen, the hoofers and songbirds of dear old vaudeville's fading hours, a few divas of the grand opera, and of the operetta too, flappers, flappers, more flappers, and of course, and perhaps especially, those femmes fatales who with one smoldering glance can melt a heart, or break it in two. Have fun!

Though at the time this card was published, Dolores Del Rio was a star of silent films in Hollywood, to call her a silent film star leaves out all the rest. This actress, dancer, muse, had a truly magnificent career. She easily made the change from the silents to the talkies, she did radio, television, she was a star in Hollywood, in Europe (winning at Cannes), was probably the biggest star of Latin America during the first half of the 20th century. She took Orson Welles as her lover, supported the losing side in the Spanish Civil War, and so (for both of those reasons), wound up in hot water with the HUAC boys. She was close friends with Marlene Dietrich, Charlie Chaplin, and Evita Peron, and...well...we could go on and on, but do check out the Wikipedia article. She led a fascinating life.
Wonderful close-up image of this beautiful actress.
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!

19.00 USD

We really love RPPC (Real Photo Post Card) costume portraits from little known studios. One reason we do, is that you will probably never see another copy of this particular image, simply because small photo studios published their prints in such small editions.This one was produced by Comm. Daghi of Parma, Italy. Certainly in her gorgeous mantilla, this could be a Spanish dancer/actress, but originating as it does in Parma, we are guessing she was an Italian performer in Spanish costume. Of course this could be a vanity portrait taken of a beautiful woman in costume, someone who was not a professional entertainer, but it definitely feels otherwise.
These studio RPPCs often had their names beautifully impressed into the print paper, like this one, in a wonderfully decorative font, and also, another lovely element rarely found in offerings from the large postcard printers is the textured photo print paper used for this card. All in all, a really fine RPPC. Our subject closely resembles Paola Borboni (who, incidentally, came originally from the city of Parma), and given the date written on the back of this card, 1925, the timing is pretty close, but there are a couple of other names written there too, and the resemblance is not all that clear, so we have our doubts that this is Signorina Borboni.

Whoever this mystery woman was, the image evokes the 1920s silent film era marvelously.
A very nice card, indeed. 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

It is remarkable just how few people today are aware of the actual facts behind the story known as Cinderella. Yes, the real Cinderella did live in a rambling old house with a cruel stepmother and stepsisters. And yes, she did have a fairy godmother who helped her gain entrance to the royal ball. But once there, what she and the prince actually got up to makes for a much more interesting tale.

And it wasn't so much the glass slipper, or even the calling card she left behind her, that prompted our prince to search hither, thither and yon, as that Cinderella, the vixen, made off with his best pair of trousers! Yes, Cinderella was much put upon, it is true, but she was also quite the prankster.

Still, you will be happy to know that in the true story, things worked out in much the same way as they did in the tamer version. The cruel stepmother and stepsisters did suffer for their behavior in a very satisfying way, and Mr. and Mrs. Charming did live happily ever after...that is as long as his royal highness kept in mind, just who it was that actually wore the pants in that family.

Now you tell one :)

Okay, but really, we are guessing this is an image from a Gypsy Clairvoyant act of the sort where he would stand up on the stage, and answer audience questions about the dear departed, lost jewelry, etc., evading, as best he could, those questions pertaining to his beautifully embroidered underwear :)

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!

6.00 USD

Probably published circa 1905, this French card, posted 1910, presents a lovely portrait of a young girl with flowers, a spirit of Spring. Some wear to edges and corners present, also very minor shades of the postal cancellation on reverse side shows through.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

Stunning image, circa 1920, of Silent movie maven Pola Negri wearing a gorgeous silken turban. We have sometimes wondered if Miss Negri was less than entirely pleased with the look of her brow on camera, (you know, the way Fred Astaire thought his hands were too large, and always contrived to hide some of his fingers in dance scenes), because she has it covered with crowns and turbans and sashes in more images than any other actress we've run across. In fact, she is credited with creating the fashion of turban wearing here in the U.S.
A wonderful card by Cinemagazine Editions of Paris. We think this company produced some of the very finest film star postcards available at the time. Certainly Ballerini and Fratini, the Italian firm, and of course Alfred Noyer, with his wonderful series, Les Vedettes de Cinema produced some superlative images, but in both cases, it seems often to have been hit or miss, while Cinemagazine Editions really shines overall, both in terms of composition and print quality. Here is a really fine example, in almost new condition.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

17.00 USD

Difficult to piece together a history on Nancy Nash. She made a few silent films in the late 20s, but apparently didn't make the cut into talkies, we read on one blog that her voice was considered too high. She hailed from Kansas, by way of Texas, was married a couple of times, once to a Jay Chotinre, an attorney in LA, and in the 40s, to film producer, Ben Hershfield (also originally from Kansas, by the way). The following bit of scandal we found on the blog called NitrateVille.com:

PostThu Sep 02, 2010 12:43 pm

I found some interesting information about her in the LA Times. In a 9/15/26 article, that James Ryan, Fox casting director, persuaded Winfield Sheehan to sign her after a screen test. She had only been three weeks in Hollywood visiting a friend, who suggested she try for a part in THE CITY, three days before she returned to resume studies at the University of Texas. Her family was from Mercedes, Texas.

She seemed to stil be under contract to Fox into the 1930s, when I found this June 27, 1933 article: "Charged by police with disturbing the peace by using 'vile and profane language' and striking several police officers with her fists when they sought to arrest her following a slight collision of her automobile with one driven by Officer R. E. Smith of the Van Nuys division, Mrs. Jay Chotiner, 23 years of age, known at times in motion pictures as Nancy Nash, pleaded not guilty and asked for a court trial. She was free after meeting $100 bail.

In the August 7, 1933 LA Times, the paper said she would have to pay the city $50 or go to jail for twenty-five days after the judge found her guilty.

End NitrateVille post

A wonderful card by Iris, apparently an Austrian competitor of Ross Verlag, and also bearing the Amag name (Albrecht and Meister of Berlin), perhaps following a merger of the two firms? Little info available on Iris.
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!

14.00 USD

Welcome to "Idols of the 1920s," where we hope to provide a special, cozy place for those of you who long to linger among the stars of the early silver screen, the hoofers and songbirds of dear old vaudeville's fading hours, a few divas of the grand opera, and of the operetta too, flappers, flappers, more flappers, and of course, and perhaps especially, those femmes fatales who with one smoldering glance can melt a heart, or break it in two. Have fun!

Though at the time this card was published, Dolores Del Rio was a star of silent films in Hollywood, to call her a silent film star leaves out all the rest. This actress, dancer, muse, had a truly magnificent career. She easily made the change from the silents to the talkies, she did radio, television, she was a star in Hollywood, in Europe (winning at Cannes), was probably the biggest star of Latin America during the first half of the 20th century. She took Orson Welles as her lover, supported the losing side in the Spanish Civil War, and so (for both of those reasons), wound up in hot water with the HUAC boys. She was close friends with Marlene Dietrich, Charlie Chaplin, and Evita Peron, and...well...we could go on and on, but do check out the Wikipedia article. She led a fascinating life.
Wonderful close-up image of this beautiful actress.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

16.00 USD

Welcome to "Idols of the 1920s," where we hope to provide a special, cozy place for those of you who long to linger among the stars of the early silver screen, the hoofers and songbirds of dear old vaudeville's fading hours, a few divas of the grand opera, and of the operetta too, flappers, flappers, more flappers, and of course, and perhaps especially, those femmes fatales who with one smoldering glance can melt a heart, or break it in two. Have fun!

Though at the time this card was published, Dolores Del Rio was a star of silent films in Hollywood, to call her a silent film star leaves out all the rest. This actress, dancer, muse, had a truly magnificent career. She easily made the change from the silents to the talkies, she did radio, television, she was a star in Hollywood, in Europe (winning at Cannes), was probably the biggest star of Latin America during the first half of the 20th century. She took Orson Welles as her lover, supported the losing side in the Spanish Civil War, and so (for both of those reasons), wound up in hot water with the HUAC boys. She was close friends with Marlene Dietrich, Charlie Chaplin, and Evita Peron, and...well...we could go on and on, but do check out the Wikipedia article. She led a fascinating life.

Had to do a double take on this particular card. It was published by Ross Verlag of Berlin, but is printed on cardstock identifying it on the reverse as Ballerini and Fratini of Firenze, one of our favorite Italian publishers! Never seen this before. Perhaps there was some kind of a merger.


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!

9.00 USD

Just kidding about Raphunzel, but what hair! :) Hand-colored portrait by Professor E. Stebbing, and another fine example of Monsieur G. Piprot's (Etoile of Paris) Emaillographie technique of photo reproduction. The clarity of contrast and vibrancy of color are stunning!
Card published circa 1905, with greetings from the sender, on the reverse side, in a fine hand, and in the ubiquitous violet ink of the period. A very nice card. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

16.00 USD

Wonderful image of actress Olga Gregg. The GG mark often appears on images taken by the Berlin photographer Gerlach, and this looks like his work, though unattributed. Olga looks as if she might be wearing a costume out of a production of The Merry Widow, originally "Die Lustige Witwe," a hugely popular operetta which premiered in Vienna in 1905, then in England, 1907 with equal success. Very nice un-posted condition. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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