8.00 USD

Gorgeous portrait of Belle Epoque actress Martha De Villers by Oricelly of Paris. Posted in 1905. Minimal writing, in a nice hand, on both sides. 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

Posted in 1902 and published right around 1900, this card may have been one in a series of three, given the French motto, Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, or Liberty, Equality, and Brotherhood. The motto originated, or so we have read, during the French revolution, but was made official and incorporated into the French constitution in 1958. This image obviously has more of a "Sisterhood" feel to it, and interestingly enough, political activists in France will make a play on words, altering the motto to better fit their cause, so that in the case of women rallying for greater equality in a male dominated workplace, the motto will become, "Liberté, égalité, sororité!"
Many thanks to Laura K. Lawless's website about the French language, which we often visit for help with pronunciation, phrases, etc. Link below:

http://french.about.com/od/vocabulary/a/liberte-egalite-fraternite.htm

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!

8.00 USD

Carmen De Villers was considered one of the great beauties of her time. Here, she is wearing a beautifully feathered hat. 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!

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!

9.00 USD

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

Lovely Belle Epoque painting imagining Salome.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

7.00 USD

Gorgeous late teens, early 20s Postcard from A. Noyer's "Plus Belles" series. Nice unposted condition. Very minor surface, 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!

26.00 USD

Cleo De Merode performed her Cambodian styled solo dances before sold out crowds at the Paris exposition of 1900, and it was postcard images like this one, that helped make her one of the earliest, if not the first, modern celebrity idol. The photograph was by Leopold Reutlinger of Paris, and the card was published by the Societe Industrielle de Photographie. Photographic images surrounded by a decorative frame and leaving some space for a greeting or short message within, or around, the frame, was a style of postcard very popular at the turn of the century, when the undivided backs on postcards were, by strict regulation, used only for addresses, and not for messages of any kind. This is a lovely card in very nice condition, with minor evidence at the corners of long term album storage, very typical for cards of that period. This photographic image of Merode was particularly popular, for obvious reasons. It's truly beautiful, but placed within the decorative frame as it is on this card, though not necessarily rare, is far less common. Did you notice that the artist contrived to have Mlle. De Merode acknowledging the little faun who dances in the lower left corner, playing the reed pipes? Great stuff, very much in keeping with the magic of the era, and will certainly make a fine addition to any collection of Belle Epoque Artiste images.
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!

5.00 USD

I love the coloration in this one. St. Catherine is the patron saint of unmarried women. In France, in order to qualify as a Catherinette, you must reach the ripe old age of 25 without marrying. On St. Catharine's day, Catherinette's would send postcards like this one to one another, wear amusing hats, bonnets or turbans, often of the colors yellow, or green, or both, (symbolizing patience and faith, virtues which come to think of it, one can put to use when one IS married too, sigh. :)), and set off sparkly wheels of fireworks. Look up St Catherine for further explanation, :) Saint Catherine might also be the patron saint of Milliners, considering the number of hats they sell to Catherinettes, and....well...yes! POSTCARD dealers too! 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!

16.00 USD

Wonderful hand-tinted image of Carmen Gilbert, by Professor Stebbing of Paris. Card was published right around the year 1900 by Monsieur G. Piprot as his star logo indicates. The veil played such an important part in these old images, and so must have been important in their routines as well. If you search online, you can often find short film clips of dancers performing during this period, but of course we are talking about some of the earliest examples of motion pictures, making a number of these Belle Epoque dancers some of the earliest movie stars!
A very nice, unposted card with minor corner and edge wear, and a crease at the very bottom left corner 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!

14.00 USD

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

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

16.00 USD

Sue Carol was a successful actress in film between 1927 and 1937, and after her career as an actress she embarked on a new career as a talent agent, opening the Sue Carol Agency. She "discovered" and handled a few big names, not the least of whom was actor Alan Ladd ("Shane....Shane...Come back!") whom she married in 1942, and whose career she managed until his death in 1964. Such a charming image. She is a snowflake at the Winter Ball :)
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

16.00 USD

Wonderfully surreal backdrop! Lovely Ruth Taylor was a "Sennett Girl" in the mid 1920s, and went on to the talkies with some success. Not a huge name, but what an image!
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

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!

Marjorie Beebe was a Missouri girl who went off to California in the early 20s. By the late 20s, she was a very successful player in the silent comedies, and made the transition to the talkies also, but she hitched on to Mack Sennett's star, and when Sennett went bankrupt in '33, Miss Beebe's career also suffered. Today, one can find very little of her work, unfortunately. Great card, posted in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in probably the late 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!

8.00 USD

Very minor edge and corner wear on these very nice early 1900s cards. This is a lot of 2 cards. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

17.00 USD

Time traveling French girl Gisele Grimaux caught in a candid moment, unaware of the fact that she is being photographed while blowing her cover, in 1927 Paris, by posting a pic to Facebook of her smart new handbag, that when turned inside-out, doubles as a snuggly hat! She and the Doctor barely escaped with their lives to the Tardis with this nifty costume (which happens to be Genghis Khan's nightie), while traveling to the outer reaches of medieval Mongolia on important Time Lord business! Worth every bit of risk, we think. Very nice condition on this 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!

6.00 USD

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

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

3.00 USD

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

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

6.00 USD

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

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

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

22.00 USD

Les Danref is presumably the name of this dance duo, performing a danse d'Apaches number in which the young lady is apparently taking great delight in showing the audience just where she keeps her folding money, and causing no end of irritation on the part of "her man." Great fun, photographed by Paul Darby, about whom we can find very little apart from the fact that in 1902, a Paul Darby, photographer of Paris, took the graduation photos of young author James Joyce at the Royal College of Dublin, in 1902. Joyce would later spend the last years of his celebrated life as an expatriate in Paris. Please examine our high res scans for detail.

Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and 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!