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Offered for your consideration is a historically significant, highly unique early 20th-century antique celebrity promotional card featuring prominent New York City studio provenance and a detailed naval military costume.
ITEM DETAILS & HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
Dating precisely to the 1900s, this original portrait card was distributed by the famous gallery of Charles L. Ritzmann, widely recognized as the greatest retailer of photographic celebrity and theatrical portraits in New York City during the Gilded Age.
The photograph captures a wonderfully character-filled studio portrait of a prominent stage actor portraying a French Marine / Naval Seaman. A close-up view reveals spectacular historical costume details, including a traditional wool sailor's beret cap, a heavy pea-coat, and an authentic crossed anchors and marine insignia emblem stitched onto his collar lapel. Posed alertly in the lower foreground right next to him is a small, beautifully detailed terrier mix family dog looking straight into the lens. The bottom margin retains the clean, original black-ink distributor block reading: "Purchased From Charles L. Ritzmann, 'Celebrities', 228 Fifth Avenue, Near 27th St., New York."
- Format: Original early 20th-century photographic celebrity card on a clean white mount base.
- Dimensions: Approx. 4.25" x 6.5" (standard cabinet card portrait style variation).
- Condition: Good antique condition. The photograph displays strong mid-tone depths, clear contrast, and fine focal clarity throughout the performer's facial features and the military uniform insignia. The cardstock mount remains very sturdy with clean borders and minimal authentic corner handling wear. Please review photos for full detail. Small bend in lower right corner.
SHIPPING & HANDLING:
Your historic theater ephemera will be handled with the utmost care to ensure it arrives at your doorstep safely.
- Secure Protective Packaging: The card will be securely sandwiched between two thick pieces of rigid cardboard to prevent any bending, folding, or corner crushing during transit. It will then be shipped inside a durable, weather-resistant cardboard mailer.
- Fast & Reliable Shipping: Your order will be securely packaged and shipped out fast—within 1 business day of receiving cleared payment. Full tracking information will be provided automatically.
A premier, museum-grade crossover piece perfect for collectors of early New York City Broadway history, turn-of-the-century naval and marine militaria ephemera, or unique early 1900s canine photography!
