19.00 USD
Gaby Deslys (1881-1920) was a tremendously popular artiste. She was a performer in Paris, made it big in London (she was one of the Gaiety Girls), and New York (playing opposite Al Jolson, for one), before returning to France to take Paris by storm. It's been suggested that it was she who brought the strip-tease to France, having picked it up in New York, though we kind of thought dancers had been doing that since before recorded history!
At one time there was some question as to her actual origins, some insisting she was a Czech peasant girl only claiming to be French, others insisting she was born and bred in Marseilles. Wherever the truth may lie, she certainly loved Marseilles like a native, and when she died tragically at 38, of a persistent throat infection brought on by influenza, she left the entirety of her estate, (substantial at the time), to Marseilles' poor. Please go to Wikipedia to learn more. She led a fascinating life.
Below is a link to you tube, where you can hear her sing two songs and quote...Shakespeare! Yep :) Particularly fun, is that while in Vienna, she made these recordings, so the songs you hear were recorded during the same visit to Vienna as when this photo was taken. We particularly enjoy making these kinds of connections. We hope you do too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oFXU_dX53Q
This wonderful card is one of two of hers we recently brought into the shop. The portrait was made while she was in Vienna, 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!