22.00 USD
Nina Barkis was an important and popular performer during the latter period of the Belle Epoque. This is clear because over at least a decade there were postcard portraits of her produced by many of the important theatrical photographers of the time, Walery, Gerlach, Reutlinger, Stebbing, etc., and she also appeared on the covers of theater magazines like Comoedia Illustré.
The most easily found of her images seem to be out of a couple of series by Walery in which she appears "avec collant" (in a faux-nude, elastic "union suit") posing in various of the then so very popular "poses plastique."
Unfortunately, we've found nothing in the way of biography on Mlle. Barkis, but we'll keep looking.
This Gerlach image is a really wonderful and evocative one. Very maenad-ish, it is from a series produced by him circa 1907. We can date this card fairly accurately because of the P.R.A. (Photographischer Reproduktions Anstalten) emblem found in the stamp box on the back of the card. The PRA was an organization of silver-bromide photo postcard printers and publishers (hundreds of them in fact) primarily organized by Arthur Schwarz of NPG in around 1906, in an attempt to maintain cost and quality control throughout the industry. It was dissolved circa 1908, to be replaced by the longer lasting N.B.C. (no relation to the broadcasting company). If this kind of detailed postcard history stirs your soup, follow the link below to "The Postcard Album," a wonderful site we visit frequently in our researches.
http://www.tpa-project.info/html/body_rp_card_cartels.html
There is evidence of what appears to have been a spill of some kind, on one edge of the card's back but of which only a shadow is evident on the front. Some wear to edges and corners as well.
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!