19.00 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 diva's 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!

Yes, we are having a bit of fun with "dominant" imagery in our four featured cards this weekend :)
And although we are just being silly, historians still examine what was a proliferation of the dominatrix in the popular culture of Weimar era Berlin!

What gorgeous hair! Lotte Neumann was a very important star of German silent film, her career beginning in 1912, under director Max Mack and working with actress Hanni Weisse, in "Die Launen des Schicksals", or "The Whims of Fate. She retired from film in the very early 30s. We retrieved this information from one of our favorite sites, europeanfilmstarpostcards.blogspot.com where you will find a very concise biographical article on Fraulein Neumann.

A wonderful card in very nice unposted condition. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, the price is the same as for a single 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, due to the costs of international shipping 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!

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!

17.00 USD

"No, I'm not Mary, you cad! I'm Suzie! And if you thought I was Mary, why did you try to kiss me?"

Simply wonderful RPPC (real photo post card) from (probably) the 1920s. there is a tiny hole from a pin, or tack, near the bottom edge, left.
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, the price is the same as for a single 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, due to the costs of international shipping will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

17.00 USD

Lovely hand-tinting on this image of the artiste Romanitza. On the back of the card is the text: "Imprimeries Réunies de Nancy" which translates as the "School of Nancy." This was a convention, or cartel, of postcard printers established in Nancy, France, around 1905 by Albert Bergeret, the acknowledged "father" of the French postcard.
Nancy is a city in the Moselle, or Lorraine, region of France.
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, the price is the same as for a single 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, due to the costs of international shipping 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!

38.00 USD

When the Jugend, and theatrical modernism, had filtered down to the masses in German society, but was still very much the "in" thing among "upper classes," Mary Irber was a great favorite among those audiences. She performed in Berlin, Salzburg and Munich, with a theatrical troupe put together by Joseph Hunkele, who, according to Peter Jelavich, in his "Munich and Theatrical Modernism" "was a cultural parasite of the first order" who capitalized on the popularity of modernism, proponents of which had expressed the aim of raising variety theater to a high art, but instead, Hunkele "succeeded in pulling cabaret down below the level of vaudeville."
Morality groups and police agents were a constant presence at performances, and finally, when several witnesses testified at court that Fraulein Irber "imitates the movements of sexual intercourse while singing some of her songs," Hunkele's concession was revoked. This publicity apparently did Mary Irber's popularity little harm, as images of her in varying states of undress, by photographers such as Martin Gerlach and Heinrich (Henry) Traut abound.
Lot of two wonderful close-ups! Unfortunately no photographer attribution on these.

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

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!

18.00 USD

"A Parisian Model," was a very well liked Broadway musical produced by Florence Ziegfeld (of Ziegfeld's Follies fame) in 1906/07. You will notice that, on our card, it is referred to as "Anna Held's." Very good reason for this. She was the star of the show in every respect, and the public never did quite warm up to Flo Ziegfeld ( by all accounts, an inveterate con man, liar, four flusher, and all around no-goodnik :) as they did to his common-law wife, Miss Held.

On the other hand, if Mr. Show-business hitched his wagon to Anna Held's star (it was she, apparently, who gave him the idea of the "Follies" in the first place), it must be acknowledged that she hitched her wagon to his, that their stars rose side by side, and that they were a theatrical powerhouse of a couple who achieved fame together, even if history treats her more kindly.

As to the show, "A Parisian Model," The public loved it! Well, most of them, at any rate. Author Ethan Mordden, in his book "Ziegfeld: The Man Who Invented Show Business," quotes one member of the audience, a Reverend Madison J. Peter, as having said, "It's the most immoral spectacle ever put on a stage!" According to Mordden, it was one particular number, in which Anna Held danced the maxixe with Gertrude Hoffman, "making contortions and advances to her partner" that "aroused" (our quotes :) this minister's sense of moral outrage.

We can find very little history on the lovely actress pictured on our card. Miss Dorothy Bertrand undoubtedly gave a "stand-out" performance as a member of the ensemble cast, or she would probably not have rated her own postcard, and we find mention of her as a member of the chorus in other productions too, but nothing beyond that. How about that costume, though! And dimples!!! :)

Most of our research here at Red Poulaine takes us to Belle Epoque France, and we so love learning about that place and time, but being Americans, it is a particular treat when we get to follow one of our favorite stars, Mlle. Held, back across the Atlantic, and read reviews of her very popular show here in the states!

A very nice card, in very nice condition, with just the right amount of silvering on its surface to cast a magical aura over its relative antiquity :)
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, the price is the same as for a single 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, due to the costs of international shipping will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

24.00 USD

A hush falls over the audience. Even the calliope has ceased its melodious strains. The ringmaster, with an almost sinister air of mystery, doffs his black silk hat and bows deeply. The air is heavy with the smells of freshly roasted peanuts and apples, popcorn, sawdust, the manure of animals, the sweat of a closely packed crowd. All eyes are glued to the center ring, in delighted anticipation of the unknown. What thrilling spectacle is about to unfold? We can expect tightrope-walkers, acrobats, dancers from strange and forbidden kingdoms, that daring young man, or woman, on the flying trapeze, jugglers and clowns. We are under the big top, the largest tent on the circus grounds, its central pole as big around as the trunk of a great tree, reaching from the eye-dazzling lights and sequined sparkles of the central ring, up, up into the heights of impenetrable darkness and gloom.
In this section, "Under the Big Top," we hope to entice you with romantic images of circus performers, and variety artists whose acts appeared on the bills not only of circuses, but of those variety shows that played on a stage, at a time when the movie industry was still in its earliest infancy, when, before the advent of television, or even radio, entertainment was always live.

Everyone has to start somewhere. Emilienne d'Alencon, one of "Les Grande Trois," famous stage performer and courtesan of la Belle Epoque, began with a trained rabbit act, all of them dyed pink!

Ionia the Enchantress, sister of Elise De Vere, Belle Epoque Artiste, performed, as a girl, in the circus with trained bears, before taking after her mother and father, and becoming a famous stage magician.

Just as thousands today flock to the newest cute pet trick on Youtube, so did theater audiences love an animal act. It has always been a great show opener, so who knows to what heights Hector climbed from this humble beginning? (We are, of course, speaking of the dog, here...not the funny looking human trying to upstage him and his lovely partner, Loleta :)

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!

24.00 USD

A hush falls over the audience. Even the calliope has ceased its melodious strains. The ringmaster, with an almost sinister air of mystery, doffs his black silk hat and bows deeply. The air is heavy with the smells of freshly roasted peanuts and apples, popcorn, sawdust, the manure of animals, the sweat of a closely packed crowd. All eyes are glued to the center ring, in delighted anticipation of the unknown. What thrilling spectacle is about to unfold? We can expect tightrope-walkers, acrobats, dancers from strange and forbidden kingdoms, that daring young man, or woman, on the flying trapeze, jugglers and clowns. We are under the big top, the largest tent on the circus grounds, its central pole as big around as the trunk of a great tree, reaching from the eye-dazzling lights and sequined sparkles of the central ring, up, up into the heights of impenetrable darkness and gloom.
In this section, "Under the Big Top," we hope to entice you with romantic images of circus performers, and variety artists whose acts appeared on the bills not only of circuses, but of those variety shows that played on a stage, at a time when the movie industry was still in its earliest infancy, when, before the advent of television, or even radio, entertainment was always live.

Everyone has to start somewhere. Emilienne d'Alencon, one of "Les Grande Trois," famous stage performer and courtesan of la Belle Epoque, began with a trained rabbit act, all of them dyed pink!

Ionia the Enchantress, sister of Elise De Vere, Belle Epoque Artiste, performed, as a girl, in the circus with trained bears, before taking after her mother and father, and becoming a famous stage magician.

Just as thousands today flock to the newest cute pet trick on Youtube, so did theater audiences love an animal act. It has always been a great show opener. We don't know which one is Pepi, and which one is Cado, but we certainly wish we could step into our time machine and take in their act :)

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!

4.00 USD

Cute image of unidentified artiste, or model, posing with flowers, hand tinted postcard from a photograph by Professor Stebbing, and published by Etoile of Paris. The text at the bottom of the card might translate (in so many words) as, "In expectation of your arrival, I offer these to you." A nice posted 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

Wnderful image. Great coloration. Message on the back of card in a lovely hand and in the violet ink so popular at that time. A very nice card, by the fine theatrical portraitist, of an unidentified artiste.
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!

24.00 USD

Absolutely stunning card, with brilliant red hand-tinting, and a sprinkling of red glitter! Unfortunately, we found no history on these gals, but we love 'em anyway :)

Very nice unposted condition. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

18.00 USD

Wonderful group image of eight dancers, Les Ponettes, so named, presumably, for their artful prancing! We couldn't find any history on them, but to get you in the mood, follow the link below to Youtube for the classic can-can number, by Offenbach:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Diu2N8TGKA

Then, to cleanse your palate, the link below will take you to an entirely different place... We challenge you to visualize our dancers, Les Ponettes, high-stepping to the sound of French wave punk band, Les Ponettes Sauvages!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J08Cz_lF5s0

Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

22.00 USD

Very early Ross Verlag card. Wonderful image of one of our favorite people in a posed "candid" image that was apparently taken, as were a fair number of her postcard images, by her own photographers!

Fern Andra (1893-1974), was raised in the circus. She was in a high-wire act at age 4, but entered the film industry at age 6, in 1899. She is usually thought of as a German actress, because much of her film work was accomplished in Germany, but she was born in Illinois, and died in South Carolina. An awful lot of stuff went on in between, but rather than copy it verbatim, we'll simply refer you to Wikipedia, which has a very nice biographical article on Miss Andra.

To see Miss Andra in a wonderful German Expressionist silent horror film, follow the link to Youtube. If you like that sort of thing, you will NOT be disappointed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ1273eN5iQ

A very nice unposted card with the NBC stamp of approval (Neue Bromsilber Convention, not that other old thing :) 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

Wonderful mix of photographic image with over-painted snake and environment. Here we have Eve and the snake memorialized as a fountain on a postcard printed for sale in France by Rotophot of Berlin, a close competitor of NPG. Marvelous hand-tinted image. Very nice condition.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, or in a padded envelope reinforced for protection of the merchandise. 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 recent increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.
We do not profit from shipping, shipping materials, or handling. Shipping as we normally do, first class, fully insured, and in secure packaging to prevent damage to our cards, we generally accept a small loss in shipping expenses, whether domestically or internationally.

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

Following a period of around 200 years of self imposed cultural isolation, Japan underwent the Meiji Restoration in 1868, and opened wide its gates to trade with other nations. Japanese culture was suddenly accessible to westerners, and it was only thirty or so years after this, in 1904, that Puccini wrote the hugely successful opera, Madame Butterfly. Talk about jumping on the bandwagon, these gals, performing in kimonos, under the name, "The Butterflies," were almost certainly riding on the coattails of that opera's popularity, and the resurgence of Japonism that followed!
We can't find any information on this trio, and because their name was "The Butterflies," instead of "Les Papillons," they may well have been an English trio of dancers performing in France, but, in any event, this wonderful image was photographed by the great Walery of Paris, probably sometime between 1905, and 1910. Beautiful, and such fun, and filled with such wonderful contrasts and inconsistencies! The umbrella's Japanese style decoration, in contrast with its European design, the European tea cups! The darling kimonos with the lapels, and European decolletage! The flowers in their hair, in the French, Belle Epoque, fashion. We could go on, but it is such fun, we'll let you draw your own conclusions. A very nice, unposted card with minor wear to corners.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, or in a padded envelope reinforced for protection of the merchandise. 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 recent increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.
We do not profit from shipping, shipping materials, or handling. Shipping as we normally do, first class, fully insured, and in secure packaging to prevent damage to our cards, we generally accept a small loss in shipping expenses, whether domestically or internationally.

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

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 diva's 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!

Great "Mysterious East" image! Mia May's long career was mostly on the stage in Germany, though many of the films she made in later years were incredibly popular. She is often referred to as Germany's first movie star, and wonderful images of her in all sorts of fantastic get-ups abound. She worked with Film greats like Hans Conried and Fritz Lang into the mid-twenties. In 1933, with the writing very much on the wall, she and her husband left Germany for America, and Hollywood, as did so many German Film industry personalities.

This is a very nice, unposted card. The image is probably from one of her many "adventure" films of the mid to late1910s.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

22.00 USD

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!

Born Oswalda Staglich in 1898 Germany, and sometimes called the German Mary Pickford, Ossi Oswalda was a huge silent movie queen in the late teens and the twenties. She did much of her most popular work early in her career with Ernst Lubitsch, the very well respected actor and director, but when his ship sailed for Hollywood in 1921, hers did not, and minus the "Lubitsch touch," her career slowly slipped into a downward spiral. She didn't make a successful transition to the talkies, and later in her life did mostly stage theater. Though we cannot find a lot of information on her in her later years, we believe that during WWII she was living in Czechoslovakia, that in the mid-forties she did some screenplay work that was relatively successful, but apparently died quite unhappily and in poverty in Prague, on New Year's Day, 1948, at the age of 50, but we have the opportunity to revisit her salad days, and wasn't she darling!
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!

7.00 USD

Gorgeous portrait in profile of French actress Messager by Oricelly. She is in the "classical" style of costume so popular in the Belle Epoque, Art Nouveau period. 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

Wonderfully fun image of artiste Vincenti gamboling about en pointe in classical garb, with an aulos, the ancient Greek double flute, an instrument used, according to Plato, in Dionysian frolics! Oh my! We would be guessing this card's period to be somewhere between 1905 and 1910 were it not the work of famous Berlin photographer Ernst Schneider, who seems to have worked primarily in the 1920s, and for whom credits predating 1915 are difficult to find, so we will place this card somewhere in the teens, but if anyone has an idea as to its age, please let us know. Nice unposted condition with minor corner and edge wear.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!