19.00 USD
Undoubtedly, the beautiful and talented Mlle. Xaviere de Léka, also De Léka, or Deleka, was far more than the corset she wore, but we titled our listing the way we did, because of a little history we were able to gather on her. See below.
We've done a good bit of digging in our attempt to provide some biographical background on this performer. She appeared at the Moulin Rouge in about 1900-1904, and also, as indicated by our card, at the Scala (not the Italian opera house, but probably the Parisian "cafe concert").
In 1907, she was mentioned in an article in the Kansas City Star, on the subject of tight-lacing, or what was often termed the "wasp-waist" fad. According to this article, Mlle. Jane Dirys (another popular Parisian performer) did not wear a tight-laced corset. Mlle. de Léka did. And famed sculptor, Auguste Rodin, did not approve! Oh well :) We thought this information particularly relevant to our image.
Thanks to a wonderful thesis for Durham University by Joseph Albert North in which Mlle. de Léka figures briefly, we know she was performing on stage a "danse d'apaches" routine, in Rome, in about 1912, and was then hired to appear in a number of Italian silent films produced that same year, before returning to Paris. There, she was contracted to appear again, onstage at the Moulin Rouge.
Finally, we came across a short obituary in Variety Magazine, for April of 1914, which states that, "Xaviere de Leka, cafe concert chanteuse, and also Mlle Lambell, comedienne, died in Paris, April 6th." Unfortunately, it says nothing about how, or if together or separately.
It always feels a little sad to us when we come across marvelous images of these brightly shining stars, but can learn so little about them. In this case we were actually luckier than in many, where virtually nothing turns up.
A gorgeously hand-colored image by Leopold Reutlinger of Paris, and published by the Kunzli brothers, Swiss art publishers, through their Paris offices, Kunzli Freres. Very nice posted condition.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.
Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of sudden increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.
And please come visit our blog at:
redpoulaine.blogspot.com
where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!