18.00 USD
The photographer of this image was Benjamin "Jake" Falk, the king of American theatrical portraiture, who ascended to that throne following the death of Napoleon Sarony in the late 1890s. One of his studios was located in the Waldorf Astoria hotel, to make it easy for Broadway actors and actresses to sit for him.
At about the same time B.J. Falk was honing his abilities as a photographer on Manhattan Island, another American artist, this one a near neighbor, in Brooklyn, was refining his artistry in stained glass. Louis Comfort Tiffany, among American artists, is probably one of the best known when it comes to the Belle Epoque movement of Art Nouveau. We don't believe we are mistaken in thinking these portrait backgrounds were inspired by Tiffany's work.
It is a lot of fun for us, specializing as we do in French theatrical images of the early 1900s, to be able to showcase a few American images as well. The model for this card was probably a very well known American actress, but having very little experience with American images of this period, it is unlikely we will identify her before the card sells.
This card was published by NPG or the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft, in Berlin. NPG was run by the German, Arthur Schwarz, who, with Benjamin Falk, had developed, in the U.S. a rotary method for the mass printing of silver-bromide photo postcards. Schwarz then took this American patented technology to Germany, where, making use of what were at that time superior industrial and technological resources, he improved upon them, and created what was probably the largest and most successful postcard printing company for quite some time time during this very competitive period. Clearly Schwarz and Falk maintained a good working relationship across the atlantic, since much of Falk's portrait work was reproduced at NPG.
Also, notice that this is a European postcard, bearing none of the marks typical of American cards, but that the actress is unidentified. Was she well enough known in Europe that her name was not needed at the base of the card? Or were portraits of glamorous women, though unknown, enough to sell a postcard? We don't have an answer for those questions yet, but clearly, as far as the postcard industry was concerned, even before the advent of popular radio, television and the internet, it was already a small world.
Card is in fine 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!