17.00 USD

Charming, charming, image! Even moonless, this would go into that Paper Moon, or Moon Maiden section we've always wanted to have in the shop, but because those images sell so quickly, we've never built up enough of a collection to justify one.

The Kunzli brothers, Carl and Max, were in the art publishing business in Zurich Switzerland in the 1870s. When the postcard boom occurred, their business took off and they expanded internationally. One of their satellites was KF, or Kunzli Freres of Paris. They were responsible for a great many very magical images, like this one.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

16.00 USD

One of France's most beloved dancers, Mlle. Regina Badet, in costume orientale. She is unidentified on this card, and the extraordinarily bright coloring, along with the fact that it came out of a collection of mostly American cards, makes us think this card (though contemporary with the period) might be a reprint carnival prize of the original postcard image, which we believe was out of a series by Leopold Reutlinger! Lots of fun.

Regina Badet, born in 1876, in Bordeaux, was a principal dancer at the Grande Theatre de Bordeaux by the age of 14. By 1900, she had begun a career as an actress and dancer in Paris. She was a star of the Opera Comique in Paris and eventually traveled the world as an international star. She also appeared in the medium of film beginning in 1908, making a number of silent movies into the 1920s.

In the later 1920s, Mlle. Badet quietly retired from stage and screen. She died where she had been born, at the age of 73, in Bordeaux, France.

Many thanks to Wikipedia for much of our biographical information.

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

One of our favorite, and most magical, subgenres of "Lovely Lady" postcards has to be that of the marvelous maenad. These are somewhat idealized, and presumably toned down, versions of those wild maidens of ancient Greece, who in their worship of Dionysus, the god of wine and sensual abandon, got up to all kinds of mischief. The maenad, as an image, was practically the poster girl of La Belle Époque, expressing that rich, earthy, "joie de vivre," which has come to be seen as so expressive of that era. In our Marvelous Maenad section, we're not all that particular about whether the model is depicted as a woodland sprite, a pagan priestess, or if they're just a couple of Belle Époque chorus girls unwinding after a tough dress rehearsal. The images we list in this section might have been published anytime between the 1890s and the 1930s. Basically, if they're wearing grapes, grapevines, animal skins, or any of the other accoutrements no self respecting maenad could do without, this is the section they'll end up in. Welcome to the Bacchanal!!! :)

Regina Badet, born in 1876, in Bordeaux, was a principal dancer at the Grande Theatre de Bordeaux by the age of 14. By 1900, she had begun a career as an actress and dancer in Paris. She was a star of the Opera Comique in Paris and eventually traveled the world as an international star. She also appeared in the medium of film beginning in 1908, making a number of silent movies into the 1920s.

Despite the popularity of the corset during this period, Mlle. Badet, as the image above shows, was making the pooch sexy long before the world had ever heard of Marilyn Monroe :)

In the 1920s, Mlle. Badet quietly retired from stage and screen. She died where she had been born, at the age of 73, in Bordeaux, France.

Many thanks to Wikipedia for much of our biographical information.

Only very minor corner and edge wear on this wonderful 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!

22.00 USD

Lovely portrait of one of France's most beloved dancers, Mlle. Regina Badet, by Henri Manuel, circa 1905.

Regina Badet, born in 1876, in Bordeaux, was a principal dancer at the Grande Theatre de Bordeaux by the age of 14. By 1900, she had begun a career as an actress and dancer in Paris. She was a star of the Opera Comique in Paris and eventually traveled the world as an international star. She also appeared in the medium of film beginning in 1908, making a number of silent movies into the 1920s.

In the later 1920s, Mlle. Badet quietly retired from stage and screen. She died where she had been born, at the age of 73, in Bordeaux, France.

Many thanks to Wikipedia for much of our biographical information.


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

One of France's most beloved dancers, Mlle. Regina Badet, in costume orientale. She is unidentified on this card, and the extraordinarily bright coloring, along with the fact that it came out of a collection of mostly American cards, makes us think this card (though contemporary with the period) might be a reprint carnival prize of the original postcard image, which we believe was out of a series by Leopold Reutlinger! Lots of fun.

Regina Badet, born in 1876, in Bordeaux, was a principal dancer at the Grande Theatre de Bordeaux by the age of 14. By 1900, she had begun a career as an actress and dancer in Paris. She was a star of the Opera Comique in Paris and eventually traveled the world as an international star. She also appeared in the medium of film beginning in 1908, making a number of silent movies into the 1920s.

In the later 1920s, Mlle. Badet quietly retired from stage and screen. She died where she had been born, at the age of 73, in Bordeaux, France.

Many thanks to Wikipedia for much of our biographical information.

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

Great image! Such fun. We really love Mlle. Badet, but we've never seen her on skates before! :) Photo by "Femina." Probably related to the popular French magazine of the same name.

Regina Badet, born in 1876, in Bordeaux, was a principal dancer at the Grande Theatre de Bordeaux by the age of 14. By 1900, she had begun a career as an actress and dancer in Paris. She was a star of the Opera Comique in Paris and eventually traveled the world as an international star. She also appeared in the medium of film beginning in 1908, making a number of silent movies into the 1920s.

In the later 1920s, Mlle. Badet quietly retired from stage and screen. She died where she had been born, at the age of 73, in Bordeaux, France.

Many thanks to Wikipedia for much of our biographical information.

Very nice condition on this one! Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

17.00 USD

Lovely portrait in profile of one of France's most beloved dancers, Mlle. Regina Badet, by Henri Manuel, circa 1905.

Regina Badet, born in 1876, in Bordeaux, was a principal dancer at the Grande Theatre de Bordeaux by the age of 14. By 1900, she had begun a career as an actress and dancer in Paris. She was a star of the Opera Comique in Paris and eventually traveled the world as an international star. She also appeared in the medium of film beginning in 1908, making a number of silent movies into the 1920s.

In the later 1920s, Mlle. Badet quietly retired from stage and screen. She died where she had been born, at the age of 73, in Bordeaux, France.

Many thanks to Wikipedia for much of our biographical information.

The gentle crease in the upper left corner is actually more apparent on our scan than in person. 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!

11.00 USD

Welcome to our "Songs of Salome" collection. We are very excited to be offering you this fine selection of carefully chosen cards which share the following traits in common:
They are nearly all over one hundred years old, in very nice condition for their age, offer beautiful images of dancers, actresses and singers in costumes typical of the Art Nouveau style, mostly photographed by famous and well respected photographers of the period, and with a definite emphasis on the "oriental" fashion of jewelry and adornment so popular during that time which has come to be known as La Belle Epoque.

Lise Fleuron was a popular performer of La Belle Epoque. In this picture she is depicted in a dramatic Art Nouveau headdress and jeweled bodice on gorgeous gown. This image was a particularly popular one, and this print is a bit grainy in detail, and the quality of paper stock is not very high. We have not run across one of these yet that has impressed us with its quality in terms of the print, but it is such a lovely image, otherwise in really fine condition, and postally unused.
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

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 qualities of a "femme Fatale" type. We hope you will enjoy these images as much as we do.

Maria Jacobini, born in Rome, 1892. died in Rome, 1944, was a fortunate daughter of an aristocratic Roman family, and studied her craft, to great effect, at the prestigious Academy of Dramatic Arts. She made her debut in film, in the dawn of the silent film era, 1910, and was given her first leading role two years later. All told, she appeared in almost 100 films, made the transition from the silents to the talkies, and is today considered "The" Diva of the Italian silent film era.

Following WWI, and the slowdown of the Italian film industry, Signorina Jacobini worked primarily in the German film industry, returning a few years before her death to teach at her Alma Mater, the Academy. Here, she is pictured in a dramatic scene playing opposite Amleto Novelli in the very popular "country boy meets city girl....can it possibly work?" romance, "La Casa di Vetro," or The Glass House.
Below is a link to a full length feature, "L'isola e il Continente," a film by the same director, Gennaro Righelli, and starring Maria Jacobini, made two years after "The Glass House," in 1922. Warning, titles are all in Italian, but this gives us the pleasure of seeing Maria Jacobini at work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSvdg-XmOGg

A very nice, unposted 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!

8.00 USD

Very minor edge and corner wear on these very nice early 1900s cards. This is a lot of 2 cards. 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

Charming photo image of a family enjoying a holiday at the seashore. Slightly smaller than typical RPPC by about 1/8th of an inch all the way round. Some black album paper is attached to the back, and there are very minor bends and creases etc. 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.

12.00 USD

Beautiful hand-colored portrait of Renee Desprez, a huge star of la Belle Epoque. Photograph by Reutlinger of Paris. 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 beginning today, when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free!

And please come visit our brand new 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!

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 beginning today, when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free!

12.00 USD

Wonderful image that shows very directly a renaissance "effect," or accessory, of the sort that was common in "Art Nouveau" fashion. We can't be certain if the beaded netting is directly sewn onto the bodice, or if the netting, collar, etc., are simply slipped on and tacked into place, which would make good sense from the costumer's, or dresser's perspective. We could definitely see this being done very well by some crafty Etsyenne!
A very nice card, posted in 1910. 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

The photographer of this image was Benjamin "Jake" Falk, the king of American theatrical portraiture, who ascended to that throne following the death of Napoleon Sarony in the late 1890s. One of his studios was located in the Waldorf Astoria hotel, to make it easy for Broadway actors and actresses to sit for him.
At about the same time B.J. Falk was honing his abilities as a photographer on Manhattan Island, another American artist, this one a near neighbor, in Brooklyn, was refining his artistry in stained glass. Louis Comfort Tiffany, among American artists, is probably one of the best known when it comes to the Belle Epoque movement of Art Nouveau. We don't believe we are mistaken in thinking these portrait backgrounds were inspired by Tiffany's work.

It is a lot of fun for us, specializing as we do in French theatrical images of the early 1900s, to be able to showcase a few American images as well. The model for this card was probably a very well known American actress, but having very little experience with American images of this period, it is unlikely we will identify her before the card sells.

This card was published by NPG or the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft, in Berlin. NPG was run by the German, Arthur Schwarz, who, with Benjamin Falk, had developed, in the U.S. a rotary method for the mass printing of silver-bromide photo postcards. Schwarz then took this American patented technology to Germany, where, making use of what were at that time superior industrial and technological resources, he improved upon them, and created what was probably the largest and most successful postcard printing company for quite some time time during this very competitive period. Clearly Schwarz and Falk maintained a good working relationship across the atlantic, since much of Falk's portrait work was reproduced at NPG.

Also, notice that this is a European postcard, bearing none of the marks typical of American cards, but that the actress is unidentified. Was she well enough known in Europe that her name was not needed at the base of the card? Or were portraits of glamorous women, though unknown, enough to sell a postcard? We don't have an answer for those questions yet, but clearly, as far as the postcard industry was concerned, even before the advent of popular radio, television and the internet, it was already a small world.
Card is in fine 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

The photographer of this image was Benjamin "Jake" Falk, the king of American theatrical portraiture, who ascended to that throne following the death of Napoleon Sarony in the late 1890s. One of his studios was located in the Waldorf Astoria hotel, to make it easy for Broadway actors and actresses to sit for him.
At about the same time B.J. Falk was honing his abilities as a photographer on Manhattan Island, another American artist, this one a near neighbor, in Brooklyn, was refining his artistry in stained glass. Louis Comfort Tiffany, among American artists, is probably one of the best known when it comes to the Belle Epoque movement of Art Nouveau. We don't believe we are mistaken in thinking these portrait backgrounds were inspired by Tiffany's work.

It is a lot of fun for us, specializing as we do in French theatrical images of the early 1900s, to be able to showcase a few American images as well. The model for this card was probably a very well known American actress, but having very little experience with American images of this period, it is unlikely we will identify her before the card sells.

This card was published by NPG or the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft, in Berlin. NPG was run by the German, Arthur Schwarz, who, with Benjamin Falk, had developed, in the U.S. a rotary method for the mass printing of silver-bromide photo postcards. Schwarz then took this American patented technology to Germany, where, making use of what were at that time superior industrial and technological resources, he improved upon them, and created what was probably the largest and most successful postcard printing company for quite some time time during this very competitive period. Clearly Schwarz and Falk maintained a good working relationship across the atlantic, since much of Falk's portrait work was reproduced at NPG.

Also, notice that this is a European postcard, bearing none of the marks typical of American cards, but that the actress is unidentified. Was she well enough known in Europe that her name was not needed at the base of the card? Or were portraits of glamorous women, though unknown, enough to sell a postcard? We don't have an answer for those questions yet, but clearly, as far as the postcard industry was concerned, even before the advent of popular radio, television and the internet, it was already a small world.
Card is in fine 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!

19.00 USD

The photographer of this image was Benjamin "Jake" Falk, the king of American theatrical portraiture, who ascended to that throne following the death of Napoleon Sarony in the late 1890s. One of his studios was located in the Waldorf Astoria hotel, to make it easy for Broadway actors and actresses to sit for him.
At about the same time B.J. Falk was honing his abilities as a photographer on Manhattan Island, another American artist, this one a near neighbor, in Brooklyn, was refining his artistry in stained glass. Louis Comfort Tiffany, among American artists, is probably one of the best known when it comes to the Belle Epoque movement of Art Nouveau. We don't believe we are mistaken in thinking these portrait backgrounds were inspired by Tiffany's work.

It is a lot of fun for us, specializing as we do in French theatrical images of the early 1900s, to be able to showcase a few American images as well. The model for this card was probably a very well known American actress, but having very little experience with American images of this period, it is unlikely we will identify her before the card sells.

This card was published by NPG or the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft, in Berlin. NPG was run by the German, Arthur Schwarz, who, with Benjamin Falk, had developed, in the U.S. a rotary method for the mass printing of silver-bromide photo postcards. Schwarz then took this American patented technology to Germany, where, making use of what were at that time superior industrial and technological resources, he improved upon them, and created what was probably the largest and most successful postcard printing company for quite some time time during this very competitive period. Clearly Schwarz and Falk maintained a good working relationship across the atlantic, since much of Falk's portrait work was reproduced at NPG.

Also, notice that this is a European postcard, bearing none of the marks typical of American cards, but that the actress is unidentified. Was she well enough known in Europe that her name was not needed at the base of the card? Or were portraits of glamorous women, though unknown, enough to sell a postcard? We don't have an answer for those questions yet, but clearly, as far as the postcard industry was concerned, even before the advent of popular radio, television and the internet, it was already a small world.
Card is in fine 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!

26.00 USD

Born Consuelo Tamayo, La Tortajada (1867-1957), though she is less well remembered today, was at least as famous, in her time, as that other great Spanish artiste of the period, Caroline "Belle" Otero.

Raised in a convent, she was stolen away (though perhaps not quite literally), at the age of 14, by her music teacher, composer Ramon Tortajada. They married, she took his name, and a star was born. Okay, it no doubt took a great deal of work, but under the tutelage of Ramon and his sister, she was soon a great artiste, touring internationally, and appearing before the crowned heads of Europe to great acclamation.

Though remaining married to her husband, she received the same gifts of jewels and gold as Otero and other artistes of the period, men fought duels over her honor, dramatic scandals were written up in the newspapers, most of them, such as the one about her being kidnapped by a Zulu prince while touring South Africa, were invented (apparently), some of them, like the one about a Frenchman fighting a duel with a Russian officer over her bruised honor, and running the scoundrel through, (again, apparently) true. As far as the duels were concerned, she did not approve in the least, and thought the gifts of jewels a far more appropriate homage! Well, she was certainly sensible!

After some thirty years a performer, she granted her dying mother's last wish, that she leave the sinful environment of the theater behind, and retired quietly to Grenada, Spain. She and her husband lived there, on a palatial estate, until, so the story goes, he ran off with a lot of her wealth...and the cook too, the Beast!

Still, all was not lost. She was loved, honored, and regarded a very elegant lady, who kept a fine figure, and remained a great beauty to the end of her days, when at the age of ninety, she passed away.

Images of La Tortajada are not particularly common, and this is one of the very finest we have seen.

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!

6.00 USD

Charming, cozy, image of a sort very common at the time, that seems to say, "I'm here at home, awaiting your return." Gentle coloration, and in a very effective "wide framed" style that we've seen done by Aristophot a number of times.
The logo, AL stands for Aristophot Company Ltd., a British offspring of the German company Aristophot A.G. All of Aristophot's postcards were printed near Leipzig, in Saxony (a German state), but In this case, the image was taken by Dover Street Studios in London.

Germany was the industrial center of the picture postcard industry at this time, so it is easy to see why the postcard craze of the early 1900s cooled in the 1910s. Yep, WWI put Germany's enormous printing industry off limits to much of the rest of Europe, and the USA as well, and of course industry's focus in wartime would have been directed along other lines.
A lovely card, with minor flaws. 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!

3.00 USD

One of those images we run across now and then of an actress dangling a cherry, or cherries, from her mouth. We've run across enough of them to recognize it as a pattern, but of what, exactly, we can't say. It's all too easy to step out of time for a hundred years or so and lose all cultural context, but on the face of things, the cherry routine would seem to imply sensual abandon.
No history, as of yet, is available on Mlle. Darfeuille. Cute image, but with writing on the reverse bleeding through onto the face of the card. Other small faults as well. 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

In 1887, British novelist H. Rider Haggard first published, in serial form, the fantasy novel "She." It would be, perhaps next to "King Solomon's Mines," his best known work. Hugely popular internationally, it is, according to Wikipedia, still in print today, and the impact it had on the late Victorian perception of womanhood (both by men, and by women themselves) was tremendous.

She, immortal queen of a great hidden kingdom somewhere beyond the Mountains of the Moon, which, if we remember correctly, were located in northern Africa, was ever desirable, fully aware of her power, unquenchable, etc. etc. and was quite possibly the inspiration for the name chosen by this artiste.

Great image by Gerlach. Like some images of another dancer, De Dio, we really love the expression of ecstasy and almost spiritual abandon, which reminds us that the performing arts, the "yoga," if you will, of various mediums within that discipline, and the often mentioned "exchange of energy" between performer and audience, can lead to such states of mind and body as expressed in this image!

Lovely card, in very nice unposted condition, with only minor wear to 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!