18.00 USD

Wonderful! Great colors, charming Belle Epoque choker, long, long hair, and a fringe-edged wrap around shift. Our harpist's expression is one of deep, almost spiritual concentration. The harp is beautiful too, a "primitive" instrument. Its wound fiber strings, tightened with friction, rather than machine, pegs. and how about that carved ebony head-piece nestled in her shoulder? Very neat :)

We often wonder, when seeing the lutes, lyres, harps, etc., in these photographs, how the actual instruments figured in the acts. Of course this, like most of our images, is a "posed" photo, not "live," but, during the act itself, were they really played by the artiste, or did (in this case) the performer "mime" the playing of her instrument to an actual harpist's music in the theater orchestra?

We have, ourselves, built a few hand-made, and VERY primitive, stringed instruments, and although as musicians, we are anything but polished, we've sometimes managed to coax some pretty sweet melodies out of them. So it's not the tuneful-ness we question, but the volume. It's hard to imagine the harp our artiste caresses being loud enough for a performance in a music hall auditorium. On the other hand, before electric amplification, a theater needed to be built so that even muted sounds (like stage whispers), would reach the audience. Any thoughts? We'd love to hear from you.

Aristophot Ltd. (AL), was the British satellite of Aristophot AG of Saxony (a German kingdom, when our card was printed). Though its offices were in London, and many of its cards' images were of famous British performers, it's likely that all of the cards in its library were printed in Germany, which was, at that time, the arts and technology center of the vast postcard industry. Aristophot was a huge and influential publisher, but short-lived.

It was only in operation between around 1901 and 1909, when it was taken over by Albrecht and Meister (Amag), so that cards bearing the AL logo, are always easily dated to within that decade.

A wonderful card, with some minor edge and corner 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!

18.00 USD

"I have a gumbie-cat in mind

Her name is Jenny-any-dots

Her coat is of the tabby kind

With tiger stripes, and leopard spots" T.S. Eliot

(or, Her coat is the Parisian kind,
with hot-pink shoes, and silver dots! :)

---

Okay, so she's not on a hot tin roof...but she is hot (in a zaftig, Mae West kind of way), and wearin' some hot-pink dancin' shoes! And at least our title and text allow us to include both T.S. Eliot, and Tennessee Williams, in our listing tags!

Sadly, there is no identification of either the performer, or the photographer.

Absolutely love this image :) published probably between 1900 and 1904, by Monsieur G. Piprot of Paris (Etoile Publishing). Some minor foxing to the image surface

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.

In fact, we'll go out on a limb here, and guess that this is the Italian actress Maria Jacobini :)

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!

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. A note on the back of this card seems to suggest it is from 1930, but in fact it was produced as early as 1919, but probably no later than 1924.
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

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!

Pola Negri, born Apolonia Chalupiek in 1897 Poland rose out of poverty and began her performing career as a ballerina. She was struck by tuberculosis, however, and had to give up dancing. She became for a time one of the most popular femme fatales in Hollywood.

She had a long affair with Charles Chaplin, and then Rudolf Valentino, apparently they were lovers until his death in 1926. She was one of the two major femme fatales at Paramount studios, (Gloria Swanson being the other), and according to Chaplin, Paramount dreamed up all kinds of false rivalry and jealousy between Pola and Gloria for publicity purposes.

To give an indication of the way Pola felt about Valentino, here is a quote attributed to Pola Negri, that we found on the great blog:

http://classicglamourchic.blogspot.com/2010/12/pola-negri-talks-more-about-meeting_20.html

"Before he could say another word, we were interrupted by an exceedingly beautiful young blonde. She said in a thick accent, "Rudy, please take me home now. I've an early call in the morning."
Valentino asked, "Do you two know each other? Pola Negri -- Vilma Banky."

I said good night and watched the striking couple walk away. She was one of his favorite leading ladies, and there were many rumors of a romance, which I found myself alternately hoping were true and resenting. I wondered if I was subconsciously jealous but quickly dismissed that as being out of the question. It was no more than a passing physical attraction. There had been my reaction to the way he led me across the floor, merely physical again. No, I had to admit he appealed to something deeper, something atavistic, something so basic in me that I had forgotten it was there, if, indeed, I had ever known it. It stripped away the veneers that went into the composition of my too public self, and exposed what lay beneath. Call it fatalism, but from our very first meeting I knew that somehow this man had the power either to destroy my life or so irrevocably alter its course that it would never again be the same."

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

Lovely hand-tinted image of Carmen De Villers, Belle Epoque beauty queen and stage performer, by Edward Stebbing, prolific photographer and inventor. Glossy print does (as glossy images will) show off every little suface rub, but overall, 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!

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!

17.00 USD

A delightful card from the "Motor City," Detroit, Michigan, but from a time shortly before the auto industry had really begun to take off.
Here we see a very charming early example of a glamor gal in men's attire whose image was used as an eye catcher in advertizing. No idea who the model was, but the image was by the National Photograph Company.

The card itself, printed on stock with an undivided back, was probably produced before 1906, which was when the USA began printing divided back cards ( a couple of years after most of Europe). The fact that the card was posted in 1909, suggests that Anthony C. Licht succeeded his brother Frank as early as 1905, and had quite a number of these cards printed, for them to have lasted in the undivided format for at least four years.

Anthony Casper Licht, the proprietor, was the younger brother of Frank J. Licht, known as the "Nobby Tailor." Nobby is a not very common term today, meaning stylish, or chic, originating in the UK, and probably from "noble," as in the "classy" upper class :)

In the 1891 "Detroit in History and Commerce," Frank Licht, the "Nobby Tailor" received some mention. It was said of him that:

"By dint of pushing energy, perseverance,
business integrity and all the qualifications pertaining to his trade,
he has won the enconiums of a large and increasing patronage.
His store is well stocked with an elegant line of cloth and
furnishings, and his prices are as pleasing to his many patrons as
his excellent fits, which are guaranteed to suit the most fastidious."

Born in 1860 to parents who came to this country from Prussia ( a German principality), his father was also a tailor, as he and two brothers, Anthony and William, would become.

Although working as a journeyman tailor in a number of cities outside of Michigan while still in his teens, he returned to Detroit, and opened this shop in 1880. He died in 1908. It would seem from the printing period of the card (1905, as mentioned earlier), that he may have died from a prolonged illness.

Anthony Licht, his brother who succeeded him, seems to have made a go of the business, at least into the 20s, but since in the 1930s we find him working as a garment cutter in that land of golden opportunity, Los Angeles, California, we are thinking the business, like so many others, failed in the Great Depression.

The trade of tailor, like that of garment cutter, was, and still is, often a trade attributed to Jews. The name Licht is also often a Jewish name, but we couldn't find out if this family was Jewish or gentile.

One of the "Reds" of Red Poulaine (not implying any political affiliation :), is our resident genealogist, who really enjoyed researching the history on this card, and we hope you enjoyed reading it.

We love this card! She is so darned dapper, and reminds us very much of some of those wonderful illustrations by artists like Howard Chandler Christy and Harrison Fisher.

Very nice posted condition, but with a small nick along the right edge, center, that is a bit hard to see.
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!

14.00 USD

Gorgeously hand-tinted card with image of a dancer we believe to be Germaine Rose, performing the Danse du Sabre. Very nice condition, though with stamp affixed to the front, as was often the custom in those days. 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

Lovely hand-tinted image of Carmen De Villers, Belle Epoque beauty queen and stage performer, by Edward Stebbing, prolific photographer and inventor. Glossy print does (as glossy images will) show off every little suface rub, but overall, 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!

4.50 USD

Encircled with flowers, Mlle. Rita Porcher performs at the Casino de Paris, circa 1900. A lovely image, but with a fair amount of writing around the image. This card was published when only the address was allowed on the back of the card, and personal messages were often written on the face of the 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!

4.00 USD

So cute! Yes, it's the old "then she pops through the hoop for a big finish" routine. Apparently as popular a standby in the French music halls as in Vaudeville or, for that matter, Warner Bros. cartoons :) a nice card, lovely silvering, and very evocative of the era. 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

Great German RPPC from the 1920s, with four friends posing for a comedy dance routine. At least we're pretty sure it is an RPPC, they don't look like professional entertainers, just like they're having a lot of fun:)
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

Last night I saw upon the stair,
A little man who wasn't there,
He wasn't there again today
Oh, how I wish he'd go away...

William Hughes Mearns, 1899

Wonderful French RPPC from (we're guessing) around 1910. We opened our listing text with the last verse from the poem Antigonish, by W.H. Mearns (1875-1965), an educator who, after his famous poem, is probably best known for his focus on childhood imagination, its cultivation, and advancements his work wrought in the field of creative writing.

Of course, we can't know the feeling this image gives you, unless you tell us, but don't you think it's interesting, the reaction we so often seem to have to Victorian and Edwardian portrait photographs?

The unsmiling faces (so prevalent in portraits of that time), have been used in so many film and television versions of "ghost" stories that to think of hauntings, when we see a photograph like this one, has become an almost automatic response. The eerie feeling they convey though, was obviously apparent to the set designers and directors of these films to begin with, so we can't blame this common response on popular media alone. Hey, maybe all old photos are haunted, though usually not malevolently :)

In this particular image, the little girl's expression could be one of repressed "fight or flight" of the "I see dead people" variety (if we're feeling spooky :), or she could be right on the edge of laughter at the antics of a little brother, who's making faces behind the photographer's back! She has a very interesting, "Alice in Wonderland" sort of face that could be plain, or pretty, from one moment to the next.

Either way, great image! Her long hair looks as if it was tightly braided for sleep, then brushed out that morning. She's wearing a hounds tooth patterned dress and button up boots, and a pendant hanging from a chain of a girl's, or woman's face, either as an embossed cameo image (possibly a coin?), a photograph, or possibly a miniature painting. The latter is less likely though, given the quality of the backdrop, a mere drop cloth, really, and nothing like a nice trompe l'oeil one might find in a more "posh" studio setting.

A very nice unposted RPPC. 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

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.

Wonderful find! Nella is another one of our very favorite "Bella Donnas" Hugely famous Italian star of the light operetta and silent film. She was a really lovely soprano. Check her out on YouTube! Always a treat when we find autographed items, but one of Miss Regini's cards? Especially so.

We recently had another card signed by her, with a letter, too! It was translated for us by an Etsy friend of ours who operates a lovely Etsy store out of Italy. Please DO visit the Etsy shop UnBaulePienoDiSogni, where the proprietress creates wonderfully authentic period clothing. If you love our cards, you will love her work!

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!

29.00 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.

Wonderful find! Nella is another one of our very favorite "Bella Donnas" Hugely famous Italian star of the light operetta and silent film. She was a really lovely soprano. Check her out on YouTube! Always a treat when we find autographed items, but one of Miss Regini's cards? Especially so.

We recently had another card signed by her, with a letter, too! It was translated for us by an Etsy friend of ours who operates a lovely Etsy store out of Italy. Please DO visit the Etsy shop UnBaulePienoDiSogni, where the proprietress creates wonderfully authentic period clothing. If you love our cards, you will love her work!

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

How absolutely beautiful! We have no history on Mlle. Delmay, other than her name appearing in a number of theatrical reviews, among them reviews for operettas. She was well reviewed, and appears on a number of postcards, although this particular image is not one we could find duplicated anywhere.

Gorgeous trappings of bangles, ornate spirals embroidered on her vest, her costume is wonderful!

In this image, she looks as if she could pass for sixteen, but we think, given other images of her we've seen, that this is merely the talented Monsieur Boyer capturing a sweet innocence in the lens of his camera.

A lovely, lovely card in very nice 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!

14.00 USD

So Sweet! Pierrot and his sweetheart. He looks so happy, so in love. Be careful Monsieur Pierrot! How we hope he doesn't get his heart broken again! We adored this card the first time we carried it in our shop a couple of years ago, and found it, floating around on the postcard market (Yes, the very same card!) just recently, and now we have it in our collection again. Strange things happen, but we're pleased to have it in our hands again for a while, and to offer it to yet another collector :)

A wonderfully violet-tinted couple's romance 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, 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, somebody really adored this kid, and not just the dog, either, though we're sure that's a given :) He is dressed like a little prince, in a velvet hat, painstakingly decorated tunic, a very fancy satin shirt, and a tiny bamboo cane. He appears to be wearing military style, button up the side, leggings over well polished boots, as well. Then, there is a fancy medallion on a chain. Just Wow!

And how 'bout that pooch, huh? An almost excruciatingly charming French RPPC from (we're guessing) around 1905, or '10.
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

Great A. Traldi card from 1920s Milan.

Italian entertainer Nanda Primavera began her career in 1918 as a soprano singing in popular operettas, and in the 1940s became a very popular actress in film.

And though you might think so, there is nothing in the least bit odd about her costume. In fact, in order to prove our point, we have included as our fourth image, ***Not for Sale***, a picture of Nanda's dear friend Zanda, and...

If there's one thing 'bout Zanda that's certainly true,

It's that whatever Nanda did...

Zanda'd outdo!

So when out of her head a great plume Nanda grew,

Zanda sprouted fourteen...

and each one was bright blue!

So you see what we mean. Nanda's costume, viewed from the right perspective, is perfectly ordinary! A very nice card, in fine, 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!