19.00 USD

Great image! Well, if you're going to go rowing off naked, you'd better have a sheepskin rug handy in case you catch a chill, no? :)
Lovely coloration. This is one of a collection of close to 30 risque early 1900s cards we recently acquired. We can't be certain whether she is wearing a body stocking or not, but this is a wonderful period piece. 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

Beautiful Pierrot image. Tinted blue, and in very nice, unposted condition, this is one of three Pierrot images we acquired recently out of the same series, published by Alfred Noyer of Paris.
Our Colombine, with her tight blonde curls might be recognized by some of our customers as a very popular model for French postcards of the 1920s. We find her most often in bathing attire, sometimes in somewhat titillating poses for risque images, but not once have we come across her in a nude image. If anyone has any bio on her, we would be most grateful.

We put together a pretty sound blog post on Pierrot, barely scratching the surface of the character, really, but a nice introduction, with lots of beautiful images and more. Link below.

http://redpoulaine.blogspot.com/2012/09/pierrots-origins-can-be-found-in.html

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

Beautiful Pierrot image. Tinted blue, and in very nice, unposted condition, this is one of three Pierrot images we acquired recently out of the same series, published by Alfred Noyer of Paris.
Our Colombine, with her tight blonde curls might be recognized by some of our customers as a very popular model for French postcards of the 1920s. We find her most often in bathing attire, sometimes in somewhat titillating poses for risque images, but not once have we come across her in a nude image. If anyone has any bio on her, we would be most grateful.

We put together a pretty sound blog post on Pierrot, barely scratching the surface of the character, really, but a nice introduction, with lots of beautiful images and more. Link below.

http://redpoulaine.blogspot.com/2012/09/pierrots-origins-can-be-found-in.html

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

Considered to be one of the most beautiful women of the period, Genevieve Lantelme, born Mathilde Hortense Claire Fossey, on May 20, 1883, was certainly as tragic a figure as she was a romantic one.

We are in love with Belle Epoque France, it's true, but of course we know it is our imaginings that we love. No doubt there were countless golden moments, sights and sounds, very much as we imagine them, but as Thomas Vaughan wrote (in so many words), "The sun does not shine forth her light without casting shadows," and we deal in bright images of a springtime world full of music and light, seldom searching out the dark places.

Mlle. Lantelme's images are quite collectible, in part, no doubt, because of her short life and mysterious death, but also because of the many gorgeous images of her. She was, in her day, quite the fashion maven.

In her memoirs, Simone Le Bargy, another Belle Epoque actress, wrote of Lantelme,

"At fourteen she was one of the lures at her mother's brothel, but soon became an acclaimed Paris actress. Theatregoers savoured her reputation for enjoying the bodies of men and women with equal pleasure: her languid slouch was imitated by other Parisian vamps."

Certainly she traded on her connections with powerful men in order to advance herself in her career, and although, if what Le Bargy wrote was true, and Mlle. Lantelme's connections were made more "directly" than some, it was not at all uncommon for young girls in training as dancers and actresses to be displayed, like prize horses at a fair, so that those very connections with wealthy, powerful, men could be made. It was, in fact, a commonly accepted practice.
Only young ladies from wealthy, protected, backgrounds, like Mlle. Cleo de Merode, were immune to it, and even then, when as a matter of course, she received the attentions of kings and wealthy industrialists, it was still assumed by most that she had come to some "arrangement" with them.

Mlle Lantelme had climbed her ladder to success, was at the height of her career, and about 23 years old, when this wonderful photograph was taken by Monsieur Bert, in 1910. She was appearing in "Le Vieil Homme" a psychological drama and exploration of the "eternal triangle" by French play-write Georges de Porto-Riche, and had been married for a couple of years to Alfred Edwards, a W.R. Hearst variety of Media Tycoon.

Not very long after this card would have been published, in early July of 1911, Lantelme and her husband, along with some friends, boarded his yacht, "L’Aimée," for an extended cruise along the Rhine. On the 24th, or 25th, of that month, Genevieve Lantelme somehow went overboard. Her body was found a few days later floating in the river.

Edwards was popularly believed to have been guilty of her murder, but we will never know whether or not this was true, or if it was merely a tragic accident, which was the official finding.
Mlle. Lantelme was only 24 years old at the time of her death.

Thanks Wikipedia, for most of our bio information!

This is a scarce and lovely image of this actress, and one steeped in notoriety and history. Wonderful posted condition, though with the stamp on its face.
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

Nice image of Signorina Franca Dominici in a cloche hat. Signorina Dominici was a greatly loved character actress in Italy, but not as often for parts she herself physically acted out on the stage and screen, as for parts she voice acted, as a doppiatrice, playing the roles of English speaking characters, and dubbing them into Italian. She dubbed animated Disney films for distribution in Italy (she was Mother Rabbit in "Robin Hood"), a number of roles in television, and in live action film as well, for example in the role of the mother of the groom in Hitchcock's "Rear Window," a part played by Thelma Ritter, as well as dubbing roles played by Agnes Moorehead, Lillian Gish, and Elsa Lanchester among many others. A very nice unposted card showing minor wear to edges and corners..
Please examine our high res scans for detail.

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

And please come visit our blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

19.00 USD

One of three striking "Moon-Maid" cards we recently acquired. Here we have the charm of the "Paper Moon" genre, so popular with collectors, combined with the steamy (for the time, anyway :) "en collant," or body stockinged, faux-nude risque image. We have for some time thought of opening a section in our shop devoted exclusively to paper moon images, the only problem being that when we're lucky enough to come across them, they never last long enough on the shelf to build a section with!
So if you love these cards, don't hesitate. 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!

16.00 USD

As far as we can tell, Miss Olive Haygate was an English actress whose home, in the late 1890s, was London. Nevertheless, we don't run across images of her by British photographers, so perhaps she went to France before becoming famous. We should mention that during this time, it was not unheard of for British theatrical producers to own French theaters and music halls, and also to stock those theaters with British acts.

As to how well known she was in late 1890s London, we did come across a very interesting bit of history concerning her in 1897, at the Adelphi Theater. At this time, Miss Haygate was an under-study for a Miss Millward, which does suggest it was early in her career.

As the story goes, Miss Haygate met with a Frederic Lane (also an understudy, to then well known actor William Terriss), before rehearsal for a production. Lane told her, in a joking way, that he was certain to take over Terriss' role, as he had dreamt the night before of Terriss lying prostrate on a stair landing in the theater, with a group of actors and others surrounding him as if he was in a terrible state. Miss Haygate laughed with Lane at the silly superstitiousness of the idea, as did others to whom Lane recounted his dream, but as it turned out, the actor Terriss was stabbed to death that very night, and on that very stair landing! The murderer was another actor, named Archer (not Miles...that's another mystery story :), who apparently bore Terriss a long standing grudge, and was later judged to have been insane at the time the crime was committed.

However reliable, or otherwise, this account may be, we got it from a Google abstract of volume 14 of proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research. Included are letters of testimony from Miss Haygate and others. Below is the link to the abstract, if you'd like to read Haygate's letter in detail:

http://books.google.com/books?id=X1HYAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA310&lpg=PA310&dq=olive+haygate&source=bl&ots=MmdAjuEfv-&sig=vFIdNzQ9Khic_CE5mf3ICnhfYPs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mo0fU4OKDO_iyAGh44CgDQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=olive%20haygate&f=false

Great image of the lovely Miss Haygate in very nice, unposted condition. Upper left corner a little rounded.
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

Geraline Farrar in Art Nouveau Headdress, as per convo

17.00 USD

The coloring on this card is really striking. You know, in our day we bobbed for apples! Bobbing for cherries would seem to take much of the challenge out of it...or are we missing the point entirely?
This card was posted in Belgium, and from the phrase, "Service Militaire" written in the stamp box, we're thinking that perhaps military service members might have received free postal service. Lovely condition on this 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 brand new blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

17.00 USD

Lovely Belle Epoque opera star Lina Cavalieri isn't really slouching. It's a thoughtful pose! and what an expression :)

Photographer A. Bert was responsible for many wonderful theatrical portraits. We're dating this card to the 1910s, simply by appearance and because many of Bert's photos seem to have been taken during that time. We haven't gotten any bio information on Monsieur Bert just yet, but we're still looking.

A very nice card, and an uncommon image of an opera diva who was, in her time, called the most beautiful woman in the world. It was said that if you were performing in a theater, you never wanted La Cavalieri to take in the show, because if she did, rather than watching your performance, on stage, all eyes would be on Cavalieri in her box seat.

The stamp is boldly placed in such a way that it almost appears as if Signorina Cavalieri is dodging it by leaning to the left :)

Some people collect postcards with stamps, some prefer them without. We mention that there are chemical solvents obtainable from distributors of stamp collecting supplies that one can brush onto stamps, and that dissolve the paste adhering them to the card, leaving almost no residue whatsoever. At Red Poulaine, the most we ever do in terms of altering the condition of the card as it comes to us, is to sometimes remove pencil marks with an art gum eraser. Anything beyond that we leave to the collector. We do tend, though we obviously love the medium of the postcard, to sell our cards more as images, common, scarce or rare, than as postcards, per se, and therefore lower our price on a card when the face is obscured by a stamp, or writing.

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

We have no history on Mlle. Denyse or the photographer Louis Martin. Research still in progress. What a magnificent card, though. Monsieur Martin is one of our favorite photographers. He was not often very playful with his images, like Leopold Reutlinger, and the cards were not often hand-colored either. Pretty much straight forward portraits of theater people, who were then identified by name, and sometimes by act, such as "Danseuse Eccentrique," with a white ink pen on the negative. So no frills, but very professionally accomplished portraits of often lesser known acts, which is just a lot of fun.

His studio was located at 52 Rue de Faubourg Saint-Martin, in Paris, about 10 minutes walk from the Moulin Rouge, and 15 minutes walk from the Folies Bergere, so he was certainly in a prime spot at that time, in what is now, according to hotel reviews, a culturally diverse neighborhood with lots of yummy ethnic restaurants and clubs. Wanna go? :)
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!

24.00 USD

Absolutely superb image. Wonderful costume detail. Perhaps a helpful Hungarian visitor will translate her name for us!
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!

22.00 USD

We have no history on Mlle. Denyse or the photographer Louis Martin. Research still in progress. What a magnificent card, though. Monsieur Martin is one of our favorite photographers. He was not often very playful with his images, like Leopold Reutlinger, and the cards were not often hand-colored either. Pretty much straight forward portraits of theater people, who were then identified by name, and sometimes by act, such as "Danseuse Eccentrique," with a white ink pen on the negative. So no frills, but very professionally accomplished portraits of often lesser known acts, which is just a lot of fun.

His studio was located at 52 Rue de Faubourg Saint-Martin, in Paris, about 10 minutes walk from the Moulin Rouge, and 15 minutes walk from the Folies Bergere, so he was certainly in a prime spot at that time, in what is now, according to hotel reviews, a culturally diverse neighborhood with lots of yummy ethnic restaurants and clubs. Wanna go? :)
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!

24.00 USD

Wonderful early 1900s image by NPG (Neue Photographische Gesellschaft), one of our favorite German publishers. The young woman is adorned in a classic "costume oriental," and posed as the "Sultan's Favorite," a very popular motif of the period. Of particular interest to fashion historians will be the model's chemise, in what appears to be a flexible ribbed cotton, with a delicately crocheted deep collar, and also her belt, decorated with cameos, set in leather, or possibly metal, bezels, and from which one of the cameos is missing. Marvelous 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!

9.00 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!

Lovely card. The third of three in a series we recently acquired.
Please examine our high res scans for detail!

We want to list a number of cards this week out of a fairly large group we've recently acquired for the shop, so we're not posting our usual research and biographical information in order to speed up our listing process, though we hope to return to these listings later in the month to share more about each card.

Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and beginning today, when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free!

And please come visit our brand new blog at:

redpoulaine.blogspot.com

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

16.00 USD

Such fun! We could start a collection of semi-nude french dancers wearing hand-tinted pink shoes, having sold probably close to a dozen of them in the last year! What was that about? :) Great, weird, little image. We'll put it in our risque section, along with another 25, or so, cards remaining of a French body-stocking collection we recently acquired. Are they really risque? Not unless your Mom's yoga class is risque :) But we do make an effort to categorize by where the image would have fit in 1905, not today. We love this one. Some surface wear and writing on the 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

Quite the card for being an RPPC and not a commercial effort. The card appears to be dated 1914. We cannot figure out what language is being used on the reverse of the card. Some of the words seem to translate into Slovak, some perhap even phonetic Hebrew? We are stumped! But what an image. How cute are they? Really. One simply cannot measure that level of cute. We tried, but sparks flew out of the cute-o-meter, and it made crazy whirring noises, so we gave up. By the way, please note that these were VERY active children, and sneaky! How do we know? Why else would ordinary loving parents tie bells to their children? Ha. Some wear on edges and corners, overall very nice. Please examine our high res scans.

Postage fee is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods.

17.00 USD

Meaty (pronounced a bit like "may-ah-tee") is a particular favorite of ours. Don't you just love the way she glowers at the camera? Her chignon is top notch :) Mlle. Meaty Fleuron was,we believe, the sister of Lise Fleuron, another music hall queen of la Belle Epoque. This card was published by Carl and Max Kunzli of Switzerland in right around the year 1900, but the photograph was, we believe, taken by Monsieur Oricelly of Paris. Great stuff! 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

On flexible paper stock, this is apparently a promotional card produced by the Athens Theater. Maman Colibri was first produced in the early 1900s but this card marks its reprise at the Athens Theater in 1911. Its star performer, Berthe Bady, was not only a well known actress of her time, but also sat as a model for the impressionist painter Toulouse Lautrec! Such a wonderful piece of history out of La Belle Epoque. 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

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

Ileana Leonidoff, also known as Helena Leonidof moved with her family from Russia to Italy as a girl, began her theatrical career as a singer, but after suffering a sudden attack of laryngitis just prior to a concert engagement, rather than beg off, decided to dance for the audience! And so began her life long career as a dancer.
Present at this concert was Signor Anton Bragaglia, a director of silent films, and an avid supporter of the Futurist movement, who cast Mlle. Leonidoff in what is now the last remaining example of Futurist Italian Cinema, the 1917 film, "Thais." She appeared in a number of films into the early 1920s, and then left that industry to devote herself full time to dance.

Like the German Expressionist movement (which was greatly influenced by Italian Futurism), the Italian school was composed of artists and thinkers from diverse backgrounds, some of whom attached themselves politically to what was in the late 1910s, the rising star of Fascism. The history of Italian Futurism is rich, complex, and way more than anyone probably wants us to devote any more time to in this listing so we'll just stop there and recommend to those who might be interested in early 20th century art history that they give it a look!

A stunning 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!