18.00 USD
Henri Manuel (1874-1947) was one of the most important portrait photographers in Paris during the early 1900s. He and his brother Gaston opened their Paris studio in 1900, and by 1914 Monsieur Manuel was serving as the official photographer of the French government, a post he held until 1944.
This is one of four very early images of stage performers taken by Monsieur Manuel that we recently acquired. All four are associated by text in the upper right corner with the Cigale theater, a cabaret built in 1887, and remodeled in 1894. We have two images of la Cigale to share with you in our listing images. Neither are for sale. The first one (listing image number four) bears the date 1894 in large numerals on the false gable, indicating that the image was made post-remodeling, and the second photo, from a card posted in 1916, is perhaps following yet another major change, as the building's face is very different. You can just see the Art Nouveau lettering over the door. Wonderful!
Though the old theater has gone through many changes over the last hundred and thirty years, it is open for business in this present day.
Mlle. Delalande is dressed in an oh so charming costume festooned with musical notes. Like the artistes pictured on the other three of these early Manuel images, she was perhaps not so very well known, as we can find no history on her. Of course we wish we could take in her act, but at least with this wonderful image we can celebrate her contribution to la Belle Epoque :)
A lovely, early, Henri Manuel card, 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.
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!