22.00 USD

Georg Gerlach produced this lovely image of "Hero" wearing a skin tight body stocking with an artfully draped veil. The term for this costume in French, in those days, was "en collant" which has taken on the meaning today of "in pantyhose!" and is used in advertisements selling stockings. :)

In her "The Showgirl Costume: An Illustrated History," author Jane Merrill writes that Madiah Surith (Hero) was a belly dancer born in Russland, Saxony.
Hero (Sometimes Herito) was also known as Madiah Surith, in which guise she posed for some really striking photos (also by Gerlach) with some very large snakes, and later in her show-business career transformed herself into a tattooed lady going still by Madiah Surith, Lady Suritha, and at some point "Mlle. Burilian, Tattooed Beauty" when she was employed at the Dreamland Circus Side Show in Coney Island, New York.

This card is in very nice condition. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for 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 increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

22.00 USD

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

A wonderful card with Lilian Harvey and lots and lots of little friends!

Lilian Harvey could play sexy, or sweet, or sweet and sexy, but never particularly vampy, or at least not that we've seen. Mostly known as a musical comedy star, she filled a place in late Weimar era Germany that actresses like Ruby Keeler filled in the US during that period of economic and cultural depression when people badly needed a bright and happy, optimistic character to cheer them through the tough times. The roles she played provided a necessary contrast to the often dark, "femme fatale" characters played by other German actresses of the same period, like the great Marlene Dietrich.

Miss Harvey led a fascinating life. She was born to an English mother and a German father in 1906, in London, but by the time WWI broke out, she was living with her family in Germany. She became a successful singer, dancer, and silent film actress in Vienna and Germany, made the transition to the talkies easily, and actually starred opposite Laurence Olivier in his film debut, an English version of a very successful German film called Hokuspokus in which she'd played the leading lady.

She was one of those people of conscience who though happy to play a part for her movie-going audience, was unwilling to act as a puppet for the state. In the late 1930s, after having been closely watched by the Gestapo for years as a result of her close associations with Jewish friends and politically dissident associates, she went out on a limb for one of them who'd been arrested, managed his release, and after his escape from Germany, she was pretty much forced out of the country herself and forced to leave her substantial fortune behind. Please read the Wikipedia article for so much more!!!

Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for 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 increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

16.00 USD

What a pose! Wonderful "promotional RPPC" (denotes a relatively small printing of a real photo postcard created to promote an act). The photo studio's name, lower left, is a bit fuzzy, so no help there. But the "u" in "Lu u. Charles," we'll guess is short for "und," the German for "and," so a German or maybe an Austrian card?

Rare as a diamond, but though you can find a diamond in any jewelry shop, you may never see this particular card again :) That's the thing about RPPCs of this small studio run variety.

Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for 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 increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

36.00 USD

Gorgeous photo of a Bilen woman of Eritrea by photographer Aldo Baratti of Asmara, Eritrea.

In the 1890s, Aldo Baratti arrived with his family in Eritrea, a country that borders Ethiopia and the Sudan in the horn of Africa. The Baratti family was one of thousands that took part in the mad rush to Africa during its colonization by European powers, in the case of Eritrea, by Italy.

This is one of four postcards we recently acquired for the shop featuring photographs from a series Baratti produced titled Ragazza Bilena (Beautiful Bilen Woman). The card was published by Fotocelere (one of our favorite Italian publishers) in the early 1930s. Of particular interest is the model's pose. Baratti's aim, it is said, was to produce photographs of a "black Venus," and though we can't know what exactly he had in his mind, he intentionally posed his models in a western fashion, reminiscent of glamor and nude images popular in Europe during the early 20th century. The hand mirror is particularly telling.

Beautiful condition on this card and a really superb print! A remarkable postcard that is slightly larger than the typical, at around 4 by 6 inches. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for 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 increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

36.00 USD

Gorgeous photo of a Bilen woman of Eritrea by photographer Aldo Baratti of Asmara, Eritrea.

In the 1890s, Aldo Baratti arrived with his family in Eritrea, a country that borders Ethiopia and the Sudan in the horn of Africa. The Baratti family was one of thousands that took part in the mad rush to Africa during its colonization by European powers, in the case of Eritrea, by Italy.

This is one of four postcards we recently acquired for the shop featuring photographs from a series Baratti produced titled Ragazza Bilena (Beautiful Bilen Woman). The card was published by Fotocelere (one of our favorite Italian publishers) in the early 1930s. Of particular interest is the model's pose. Baratti's aim, it is said, was to produce photographs of a "black Venus," and though we can't know what exactly he had in his mind, he intentionally posed his models in a western fashion, reminiscent of glamor and nude images popular in Europe during the early 20th century. The thoughtful pose, an extremely uncommon approach to photographs of African women in tribal dress during that period, is particularly telling.

Beautiful condition on this card and a really superb print! A remarkable postcard that is slightly larger than the typical, at around 4 by 6 inches. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for 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 increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

36.00 USD

Gorgeous photo of a Bilen woman of Eritrea by photographer Aldo Baratti of Asmara, Eritrea.

In the 1890s, Aldo Baratti arrived with his family in Eritrea, a country that borders Ethiopia and the Sudan in the horn of Africa. The Baratti family was one of thousands that took part in the mad rush to Africa during its colonization by European powers, in the case of Eritrea, by Italy.

This is one of four postcards we recently acquired for the shop featuring photographs from a series Baratti produced titled Ragazza Bilena (Beautiful Bilen Woman). The card was published by Fotocelere (one of our favorite Italian publishers) in the early 1930s. Of particular interest is the model's pose. Baratti's aim, it is said, was to produce photographs of a "black Venus," and though we can't know what exactly he had in his mind, he intentionally posed his models in a western fashion, reminiscent of glamor and nude images popular in Europe during the early 20th century.

Beautiful condition on this card and a really superb print! A remarkable postcard that is slightly larger than the typical, at around 4 by 6 inches. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for 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 increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

36.00 USD

Striking semi-nude photograph of a beautiful Bilen woman of Eritrea by photographer Aldo Baratti of Asmara, Eritrea.

In the 1890s, Aldo Baratti arrived with his family in Eritrea, a country that borders Ethiopia and the Sudan in the horn of Africa. The Baratti family was one of thousands that took part in the mad rush to Africa during its colonization by European powers, in the case of Eritrea, by Italy.

This is one of four postcards we recently acquired for the shop featuring photographs from a series Baratti produced titled Ragazza Bilena (Beautiful Bilen Woman). The card was published by Fotocelere (one of our favorite Italian publishers) in the early 1930s.

A really superb print of a superb photo with some minor chipping on the left outer edge of the card. A remarkable postcard that is slightly larger than the typical, at around 4 by 6 inches. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for 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 increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.

11.00 USD

Beautifully hand-tinted vintage postcard. Magical!
Very nice unposted condition. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for 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 increases in international shipping rates 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.

11.00 USD

German soprano Elisabeth Rethberg (1894 – 1976) was considered one of the finest opera singers of the 20th century. She performed internationally, mostly in the '20s and '30s.
Autographs are such fun! Usually Miss Rethberg signed her full name on autographed pictures, but in this case she signed just her first name, and on the back of this card wrote the message (our translation), "To see the picture, is to remember the original." or more directly, "a look at the picture, a remembrance of the original."
Clearly this was a more personal message and a souvenir given to a special friend, or yes, possibly just a generous gesture to a very nice fan :).

Miss Rethberg initially studied in Dresden, Germany, and sang there until 1922 when she joined the Metropolitan Opera Company of New York. This card lists no photographer or publisher. We recognized the singer only because, well...it's what we do :) But a quick google image search under Elisabeth Rethberg or Elisabeth Rethberg autograph may come in handy.

If you'd care to hear her sing, follow the link below to a sound clip on Youtube of a recording of her singing Ave Maria. There's quite a lot more of her stuff available as she was really quite the diva in her time.

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

A very nice, and very rare, RPPC. No way of knowing if it's a German or an American card as she traveled between the two countries often during the '20s. 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

Wonderful vintage postcard of a circus animal trainer in all his gaudy finery. The photo was made in the early 1900s (card stamped with the number 1907, probably the year printed, but if not, it would be very close). It is stamped in the lower right corner C. Seldt, Atelier Kegel, Cassel.
Kassel, formerly Cassel, is an ancient city in Germany perhaps best known these days as the place where the two Bothers Grimm penned and published all those wonderful fairy tales! Photographer Conrad Seldt took over the Kegel Studio in 1901 upon the death of the previous owner, Eugen Kegel, but kept what was by then a very well respected business name in the community.

Great circus card, very nice 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!