29.00 USD

There is a small, almost unnoticeable, crease in the upper right corner of the first card shown in this listing, and a tiny chip visible on the card's surface at the base of that crease. Also, there is a tiny pink scribble in the upper left corner on the back side of one of the cards. Otherwise, this lot of three cards is in remarkably clean condition. If you'd like to see the back of the third card, we'd be happy to send you a scan in a convo. It is pretty much the same as the other two, minus the pink scribble.

We don't know anything about L.P.V. of Paris, the publisher, although we've run across a few of their postcards from time to time, but wow, she's wonderful.We'd love to see the rest of this series.

This is a lovely lot of three cards out of what was probably a series of six iconic "Jazz Baby" images. The lighting and contrast are magnificent. Even the very narrow spaghetti straps on her dress are beaded (possibly with rhinestones, we can't be certain). And the rose is really beautiful!

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

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

16.00 USD

Sent on August First, 1911, the Feast day of Saint Alphonsine, this extraordinary card not only has a gorgeous and striking image on the front side, but on the reverse, there is a fairly long message from the sender to their mother, expressing their happiness on that feast day of Sainte Alphonsine, August the first. Unfortunately we can find no information on this particular saint. The situation is, that there are so very many saints out there, that unless they are particularly well known, it's difficult to find them! For intstance, there are two Sainte Alphonsines that were made saints more recently than the one we're looking for! Oh where, oh where... :)

A 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

Dazzling image of one of Hollywood's long-reigning queens of cinema, Miss Gloria Swanson. Marvelous Manuel photo, and out of the very collectible series, Les Vedettes de Cinema, by one of our very favorite publishers, Alfred Noyer.

A fabulous 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, 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

The play Faust, by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, worked great influence on the minds not only of Germans, but of people all over the western world, dealing as it did with great changes in outlook toward science, religion, sexuality and morality, and postcard images of its characters, most particularly the tragic heroine, Gretchen, were relatively ubiquitous at the turn of the century. This is a particularly nice 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!

11.00 USD

Isn't her hair amazing? Stunning portrait by the great Reutlinger of Paris. His model is Mlle. Dalgy. Though there is some resemblance, she should not be confused with Helena D'Algy, who starred opposite Rudolph Valentino in the silents. That Dalgy wasn't born until 1906, while this one, about whom we know exactly nothing, had this photo taken right around 1900. Lovely, 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

Lovely hand-colored treat of two Belle Epoque stage performers sharing one delicate veil between them. Charming! Professor Stebbing took this photograph right around the year 1900. 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

Stupendous "Mignonesque" costume image, lovely contrast. Not a whisper about Lise Walton that we can find. We did dig up another image of her, in a lovely big hat :) but more than that...no.
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

"Borellismo was a word used in Italy in the teens to describe the Lyda Borelli craze. Girls went on diets and strove to imitate her twisted postures. She was like a decadent version of the Pre-Raphaelite beauty--thin, with wavy blond hair and strange but picturesque poses. She portrayed characters who were doomed and otherworldly, often bordering on the supernatural. Her Rapsodia Satanica (1915), a compelling film about an old woman who makes a pact with the Devil for eternal youth, is an splendid introduction to this fascinating star."

Above quote from a short article at Stanford.edu.

Lyda Borelli was so wonderful. If you venture into the wildwood of Youtube and search for her, you will be well rewarded. Lots of beautiful clips to enjoy. Brief observation though, we managed to watch a wonderful, partially-tinted copy of Rapsodia Satanica, and Lyda Borelli, at least in this film, was not thin! She was deliciously beautiful, her portrayal wondrously evocative, but if anything, she was downright zaftig! Very nice card with Signorina Borelli posing in an understated costume with a few feathers in her hair.
By the way, if you ever happen to visit Saragozza, in Bologna (in northern Italy), she is still revered there, and you can visit Casa Lyda Borelli, and soak up the Borellismo! :)
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

Truly a lovely, compelling, and magical image. Gorgeous shawl, Art Nouveau headdress and winding snake armlet. Hair up in that "neo-classical" style so popular in the Art Nouveau period. The trompe-l'œil (tromp lowee), backdrop is so serene and lovely, and we sometimes forget, in this era of photo-reproduction, that these were beautifully hand painted canvases, often huge, that were sometimes used again and again by the same photographers, so that it becomes a kind of game to identify images by Oricelly, or Reutlinger, for example, that reused the same trompe-l'œill in different portraits of the people they photographed

The Aulete was one who, in ancient Greece, played upon the aulos, that "double flute" instrument she is holding. It is an instrument which was associated, by Plato, with the orgiastic rites of Dionysus, and so fit in well with the celebratory mood of abandon embraced by so many of those who patronized the great music halls of Paris in those years. The image also resonates with a theme that constantly recurs throughout popular art of the period, one which embraces the idea of a return to an imagined pure and simple beauty of an earlier time, when the old gods walked the earth, a time free from the pressures and growing complexity of what, by 1900, was becoming a heavily industrialized society.
Wonderful card in very nice 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!

12.00 USD

Isn't her hair fantastic? Early 20th century hair products were not always what they should have been, so it is not common to run across an image of such really beautiful long hair.
The beautiful actress in this image is Marguerite Brésil. Born in 1880, she made her first appearance on the stage of the Theatre Gymnase in Paris, in 1899, and within a few years was a tremendous star.
Lovely hand-tinted card in nice condition, but with some minor discolorations on the image surface caused by what may have been some ink spillage on the reverse side.
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

Known for much of her long and successful career simply as Sylvie, or Louise Sylvie, this lovely actress was born Louise Pauline Mainguené in 1883, began on the stage, at the Théatre National de l'Odéon in 1903, and completed her last film (in which she played the starring role), in 1965, five years before her death in 1970.

Over the course of her career, she performed in dozens of theatrical productions, and more than fifty films, also appearing in television productions.

This gorgeous, hand-tinted card, from a photograph by the famous theatrical portraitist Leopold Reutlinger of Paris, was posted in 1905, just two years after Mlle. Sylvie's career began. This image is the one we most frequently find of her, and is one of only a few we run across, leading us to believe that she was no postcard queen. More's the pity, as she was quite a beauty.

Though she appeared in several silent films as early as 1912, between 1903 and 1914, the Théatre National de l'Odéon was her main venue. As the third image in our listing, we offer you a glimpse (Not For Sale) of the Odéon. One of a very few National Theaters of France, this photograph, though probably taken a decade or so after our portrait of Mlle. Sylvie, shows the theater as it would have appeared in her time there. Actually, it looks very much the same today, pretty much as it did in 1818, after it was rebuilt following a fire that burned the previous structure to the ground.

Not a particularly uncommon image, but a wonderful card, with a fine example of unusual head decorations at her temples, and lovely coloration.
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!