29.00 USD
This is not a postcard, but a CDV (carte de visite), with the interior image measuring approx. 2 and 1/4 inches by 3 and 1/2 inches. Despite its size, you can see how fine the resolution is on this photograph.
Probably made before 1880, this portrait is of an artiste named Sanseron. Unfortunately, we haven't found any history on her. What a lovely theater image, though.
The photograph was taken by Charles Reutlinger, a German Jew who was born Carl Reutlinger, in Germany, in 1816. He was the founder of a dynasty of celebrity photographers that flourished in Paris for almost 90 years.
Having moved from Germany where he'd produced daguerreotypes in the 1840s, he opened a studio in Paris in about 1850. He was later joined by his younger brother Émile Reutlinger (1825-1907), and then toward the end of his life, by his brother's son Leopold-Émile, who moved from his birthplace in Callao, Peru to Paris to join his father and uncle in the business, in the early 1880s.
It is Leopold Émile Reutlinger (usually called simply Leopold Reutlinger) with whom our customers will be most familiar, since we have sold probably hundreds of his beautiful postcards out of our shop.
Leopold Émile Reutlinger eventually took over the studio from his father, and then Jean, Leopold's son also entered the trade, but died in WWI, in 1914, so the dynasty ended with Leopold, in 1937.
That was a good bit of history for a single listing, but we thought it might be worthwhile to put this little jewel of a photograph into proper perspective.
The corners were clipped, probably having something to do with storage in an album or a tiny gilded frame. Otherwise, very nice condition.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.
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!