Advertisement in 1902 Photograpahische Correspondenz |
The Neue Photographische Gesellschaft was founded in 1894 by Arthur Schwarz for the purpose of manufacturing photographic paper and consumer goods as well as mechanically producing photographs. It grew from a handful of employees in the 1890's to 1,200 by the mid-1910's. Founded in Schöneberg, the company soon relocated to Steglitz where it was one of the major producers of picture postcards. By the mid-1910's, however, the company began to experience difficulties associated with competion, the war, and general economic conditions. In 1921, NPG was taken over by Mimosa, under which it continued as a subsidary until 1948.
The company was known for its progressive employment practices as well as its signficant technological achievements in the production of light-sensitive photographic paper, the automation of processing and developing machines, and the development of color photography. The letters N.P.G. were registered as word trademark on 4 May 1897; the typical NPG logo (with dominating 'P') on 8 May 1905. The company produced hundreds of thousands of postcards, from landscape and city views, to prominent social figures, to thematic photos. This catalog represents a very small sample of the company's production. |
Cataloging Notes
Multiple series of NPG cards were issued where cards were marked with the same number, causing considerable confusion. As the cards were more closely examined, however, different series became apparent.
The NPG thematic series cards from the early 1900's are numbered 1-999. After the 900 cards, they cycle through 1000, 2000, 3000, seem to skip to 6000 (only the 6172 card seen), 7000 then 9000, 12000, 14000 and maybe 19000. Then they start renumbering with 1-1300 or so. This limited catalog reproduces thematic cards issued during the first decade of the 1900's where the series number falls between 1 and 999. Thousands of additional thematic series were subsequently issued with numbers above 999. They have not been reproduced here, although a small sample can be seen below this catalog. At the end of the sample are two additional series samples where the cards were found in the 1-999 number range -- Performers and Art Work. Like the 1915-1920 series of 1-999 cards, they are not represented in this catalog. The lowest number cards in this catalog were marked with the text 'Neue Photographische Gesellschaft' on the front of the card. Some time around 1905, NPG began marking cards with a logo. The logo changed appearance several times throughout the years. Within the 1-999 series, the logos generally progressed as pictured below, with the exception of the last logo. That logo was not adapted by NPG until around series 1500 and does not appear in the first 999 cards. Consequently, it is helpful in distinguishing between cards numbered 1-999 that were issued during the first decade of the 1900's and those issued circa 1915-1920.
In addition to the logos pictured above, NPG is known to have issued thematic cards with two other trademarks. The subjects of these cards correspond to those issued by NPG under their standard logo at the 1000 and above mark. It is not known why the separate logos were created. These cards are not included in this catalog; however, sample cards are provided in the end section.
The back of the cards also showed a progression through the early 1-999 series, starting with an Undivided Back, and then an Oranotypie Back, Multi-Language Back, and Blank Back.
Unlike the Rotophot series that are typically comprised of 6 cards, the number of cards in each NPG series is irregular. Some series seem to be comprised of 5 or 6 cards; others of 20. Additionally, where the Rotophot series generally show the same subject in the same costume and at the same perspective, early NPG cards (particularly the performer cards) portray multiple subjects. Also, series may contain cards in both a horizontal and a vertical perspective. As only one sample card is provided per series, additional cards can be substantially different from the sample, although they will be in the same genre. Where the performer name on the sample card is known, it is provided in brackets, indicating that additional cards may be of different performers. Also, where the photographer's credit is known, it is provided. Dating the cards is difficult. A few dates have been provided under catalog entries. These dates represent the first time a postal date or sender notation was seen for a year. The first such date was 1900, noted on the 6 card; the last was 1908, noted on the 997 card. From those markers, the dating of this 1-999 thematic catalog is 1900 - 1908.
|
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An international effort resulted in the creation of this catalog. Images were sent in by Johan Delbecke (Belgium), Harold Hoff (Canada), Paul English and David Schofield (Great Britain), and Helmfried Luers (Germany). Marina Dambrava (Portugal) provided many of the performer identifications. Jean Ritsema (United States), collaborator on the ROSS VERLAG MOVIE STAR POSTCARDS AND OTHER VINTAGE EUROPEAN POSTCARD PUBLISHERS website generated the catalog itself. Mark Goffee (United States) hosted the images on his website.
A great number of images for this catalog were retrieved from AbeBooks.com. Others were retrieved from the Delcampe, eBay, Todocoleccion, and akpool.de sales sites. |
NPG Early 1-999 Series | 1 [Nance O'Neil] Photo B.J. Falk, New York |
2 [Cléo de Mérode] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
3 |
4 |
5 [Cécile Sorel] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
6 1900 written on front |
7 |
8 1901 written on front |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 Varischi Artico & C, Milano |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 [Edna May] Series # on back |
32 [Cléo de Mérode] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
33 |
34 [Lina Cavalieri] |
35 |
36 [Belle Archer] Photo B.J. Falk 1902 written on front |
37 [Cléo de Mérode] |
38 [Emilienne d’Alençon] Series # on back |
39 |
40 |
41 |
42 |
43 |
44 |
45 |
46 |
47 |
48 Schumann |
49 |
50 |
51 [Élise de Vère] Photo Reutlinger, Paris Series # on back |
52 [Minnie Ashley] |
53 |
54 [Caroline Otero] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
55 # may be incorrect |
56 |
57 |
58 [Liane de Vries] |
59 [Lina Cavalieri] |
60 Odette Valéry Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
61 |
62 |
63 |
64 |
65 [Mieris] Reproduced in 1904 Photographische Korrespondenz |
66 [Lutèce] Photo Reutlinger, Paris Series featured in 1902 Photographische Korrespondenz |
67 |
68 |
69 [Anna Held] |
70 |
71 |
72 [Liane de Vries] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
73 [Lina Cavalieri] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
74 [Lina Cavalieri] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
75 [Lina Cavalieri] |
76 [Caroline Otero] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
77 [Lutèce] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
78 [Cléo de Mérode] |
79 [Lina Cavalieri] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
80 [Lina Cavalieri] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
81 [Cléo de Mérode] |
82 Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
83 [Lina Cavalieri] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
84 |
85 # may be incorrect |
86 [Alice Dufresne] Photo Reutlinger, Paris 1903 written on front |
87 |
88 |
89 |
90 |
91 [Cléo de Mérode] |
92 [Cléo de Mérode] |
93 [Olive Haygate] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
94 [Cléo de Mérode] |
95 [Saharet] |
96 [Anna Held] |
97 [Cléo de Mérode] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
98 Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
99 [Lina Cavalieri] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
100 [Caroline Otero] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
101 [Lina Cavalieri] |
102 |
103 [Anna Held] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
104 Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
105 [Saharet] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
106 |
107 |
108 |
109 [Myriel] |
110 [Yvonne Garrick] |
111 Stratzaert Photo by Reutlinger Reproduced in 1904 Photographische Korrespondenz |
112 |
113 [Center - Cléo de Mérode] |
114 |
115 [Emma Calvé] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
116 Cléo de Mérode (Series limited to Mérode) |
117 [Anna Held] 1904 written on front |
118 Myriel Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
119 Beauregard Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
120 |
121 |
122 |
123 # may be incorrect |
124 |
125 |
126 [Lina Cavalieri] |
127 [Lina Cavalieri] |
128 Photo B.J. Falk |
129 [Cléo de Mérode] Photo B.J. Falk |
130 Photo B.J. Falk |
131 [Madge Lessing] Photo B.J. Falk |
132 |
133 |
134 |
135 |
136 [Meaty Fleuron (upper left) Lina Cavalieri (upper right); Alice Dufresne (lower left) Anna Held (lower right)] |
137 [Cléo de Mérode] |
138 [Beauregard] |
139 [Myriel] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
140 |
141 [Yvonne Garrick] |
142 Beauregard Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
143 |
144 |
145 Andrée Mégard Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
146 |
147 |
148 |
149 |
150 |
151 |
152 |
153 |
154 # may be incorrect |
155 |
156 |
157 |
158 [Cléo de Mérode] |
159 |
160 |
161 |
162 |
163 |
164 |
165 |
166 |
167 |
168 |
169 [Lina Cavalieri] |
170 |
171 Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
172 Madge Lessing Photo B.J. Falk Reproduced in 1904 Photographische Korrespondenz |
173 Fantasy Centaur Series |
174 |
175 |
176 [Cléo de Mérode] |
177 |
178 |
179 |
180 |
181 |
182 |
183 [Eugen Sandow] Photo Falk, New York |
184 |
185 |
186 |
187 Herr Birron - Frau Odillon |
188 |
189 |
190 |
191 |
192 |
193 |
194 |
195 Alphabet Series |
196 |
197 |
198 |
199 |
200 |
201 |
202 |
203 |
204 |
205 |
206 |
207 |
208 |
209 |
210 [Alda] |
211 |
212 # may be incorrect |
213 |
214 |
215 |
216 |
217 |
218 [Cléo de Mérode] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
219 [Clifton] |
220 |
221 |
222 |
223 |
224 [Blanche and Louise Mante] |
225 |
226 |
227 |
228 |
229 |
230 |
231 |
232 |
233 [Cléo de Mérode] |
234 Lutèce Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
235 [Bacha] |
236 Renée Corciade Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
237 Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
238 |
239 [Dargent] |
240 [Caroline Otero] |
241 [Élise de Vère] |
242 [Élise de Vère] |
243 [Élise de Vère] |
244 |
245 Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
246 [Manon Loty] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
247 |
248 |
249 |
250 Photo B.J. Falk |
251 |
252 Photo B.J. Falk |
253 Photo B.J. Falk |
254 Fantasy Series |
255 |
256 |
257 Full Series Series of 3 |
258 Number Series 1905 written on front of #6 card |
259 Menuett [L - Cléo de Mérode | R - de Forray (Poray)] Full Series |
260 |
261 |
262 [Marcelle Yrven (right)] |
263 |
264 |
265 |
266 |
267 |
268 |
269 |
270 |
271 |
272 [Lea Templeton] Photo B.J. Falk |
273 |
274 |
275 |
276 |
277 |
278 |
279 |
280 |
281 |
282 |
283 |
284 Photo Ch. Scolik |
285 |
286 |
287 [Rosell] |
288 [Marie Studholme] |
289 |
290 |
291 |
292 |
293 |
294 |
295 |
296 |
297 |
298 [Madge Lessing] Full Series |
299 Milton Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
300 |
301 |
302 Photo B.J. Falk |
303 |
304 Photo Charles Scolik, Wien |
305 |
306 # may be incorrect Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
307 Photo Charles Scolik, Wien |
308 [Yvonne Garrick] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
309 Florence de Dio Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
310 |
311 |
312 Photo B.J. Falk |
313 |
314 |
315 |
316 |
317 |
318 Photo B.J. Falk |
319 |
320 |
321 [Élise de Vère] Photo Reutlinger, Paris Full Series |
322 [Cléo de Mérode] Photo Reutlinger, Paris Full Series |
323 |
324 |
322 |
||||
325 |
326 |
327 |
328 Cléo de Mérode Photo Reutlinger, Paris Full Series |
329 Lina Cavalieri Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
330 Caroline Otero Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
331 |
332 [Alice Bonheur] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
333 [Thomassin] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
334 [Oterita] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
335 Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
336 [Liane de Pougy] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
337 [Gabrielle Robinne] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
338 |
339 Full Series |
340 Biogravure # on back |
341 # may be incorrect |
342 |
343 |
344 Fantasy Series |
345 |
346 [Élise de Vère] |
347 Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
348 de Margyl |
349 1905 embedded in design |
350 |
351 |
352 |
353 |
354 |
355 |
356 |
357 |
358 [L-R: Unidentified Performer; Luz Chavita; Cléo de Mérode; Viviane de Lavergne] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
359 |
360 |
361 Minnie Ashley Photo B.J. Falk Full Series |
362 Full Series |
363 |
364 [Roxie King] |
365 |
366 |
367 Full Series |
368 |
369 |
370 |
371 |
372 |
373 |
374 |
375 |
376 [Fedák Sári] Photo Strelisky, Budapest |
377 |
378 Full Series |
379 Full Series |
380 Composite Card Full Series |
381 Lentatypie |
382 Lentatypie [Gessy Yatzon] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
383 [Arlette Dorgère] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
384 Full Series |
385 Photo B.J. Falk Full Series |
386 [Arlette Dorgere] Lentatypie |
387 [Anna Held] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
388 |
389 Lentatypie [Saharet] |
390 |
391 Lentatypie |
392 # may be incorrect |
393 |
394 Lentatypie |
395 Lentatypie |
396 |
397 |
398 |
399 |
400 |
401 Photo Henri Manuel |
402 |
403 |
404 |
405 Photo Skowranek, Berlin Composite Card Full Series |
406 Full Series |
407 Reproduced in 1905 Photographische Korrespondenz |
408 |
409 Photo B.J. Falk Full Series |
410 |
411 Full Series |
412 |
413 Photo B.J. Falk Full Series |
414 Full Series |
415 [Liane de Vries] |
416 Full Series |
417 |
418 |
419 |
420 |
421 |
422 [Reta Walter] Full Series |
423 1905 Photographische Korrespondenz Full Series |
424 Series of 20 Children's Series |
425 |
426 [Meryl] Photo Oricelly Full Series |
427 [Meryl] Full Series |
428 Doll Photo Reutlinger, Paris Full Series |
429 Series of 4? Full Series |
430 Mary Series of 3? Full Series |
431 Full Series Series of 3 |
432 |
433 |
434 |
435 [Lucienne Guett] Full Series |
436 Full Series |
437 |
438 [Charlotte Wiehe] |
439 [Marie Thiery] 1906 postmark Full Series |
440 [Alice Bonheur] Full Series |
441 Full Series |
442 Full Series |
443 Photo Reutlinger, Paris Composite Card Reutlinger Performer Series |
444 |
445 |
446 |
447 |
448 |
449 |
450 Full Series |
451 |
452 |
453 |
454 |
455 |
456 Full Series |
457 |
458 Composite Card Full Series |
459 |
460 |
461 |
462 |
463 Monk's Beer Series |
464 Series of 20 Bubble Series |
465 |
466 [Caroline Otero] Playing Card Series |
467 # may be incorrect |
468 |
469 |
470 |
471 |
472 |
473 |
474 Full Series |
475 [La Belle Oterita] |
476 Days of the Week |
477 |
478 |
479 Full Series |
480 |
481 |
482 |
483 |
484 Composite Card |
485 |
486 |
487 Full Series |
488 Photo B.J. Falk Full Series |
489 |
490 |
491 [Gabrielle Robinne] Full Series |
492 |
493 |
494 |
495 [Geneviève Lantelme] Photo Reutlinger, Paris Full Series |
496 Full Series |
497 |
498 |
499 |
500 |
501 Full Series |
502 Kiel: Kreuzerklasse, Therese wendend |
503 Composite Card |
504 |
505 Composite Card |
506 |
507 |
508 [Rose] Full Series |
509 |
510 Composite Card |
511 Composite Card |
512 |
513 |
514 |
515 Composite Card |
516 |
517 |
518 Composite Card |
519 |
520 |
521 Composite Card |
522 |
523 [Dirys] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
524 Composite Card |
525 |
526 |
527 |
528 Series in 1906 Photographische Korrespondenz |
529 Full Series |
530 |
531 |
532 Carmela Full Series |
533 Likely Tiller Girl series Composite Card |
534 |
535 |
536 |
537 [Cléo de Mérode] |
538 Composite Card |
539 |
540 |
541 |
542 Bookmark Format |
543 |
544 |
545 |
546 Full Series |
547 |
548 Hidden Performer Series (Cléo de Mérode hidden in trees at upper left of card) |
549 |
550 |
551 [Dauteze (Danteze)] Photo Reutligner, Paris |
552 Full Series |
553 [Wilford] Photo Reutlinger, Paris |
554 Likely Tiller Girl series Composite Card |
555 |
556 Fantasy Series |
557 Composite Card |
558 Full Series |
559 |
560 Full Series |
561 |
562 |
563 Composite Card Full Series |
564 |
565 Full Series |
566 |
567 Composite Card |
568 |
569 [Juanita Valencia] |
570 [Mata Hari] |
571 |
572 |
573 |
574 |
575 |
576 |
577 |
578 |
579 Composite Card |
580 Gertrud Lasson |
581 |
582 |
583 Composite Card |
584 Gertrud Lasson |
585 Mia Lajeska Composite Card |
586 |
587 |
588 |
589 [Juanita Valencia] Composite Card |
590 |
591 Full Series |
592 |
593 |
594 Full Series |
595 Possible Tiller Girl Series |
596 |
597 |
598 |
599 |
600 |
601 [Foreground - Yola de Nys Silhouette - Cléo de Mérode] |
602 |
603 |
604 |
605 |
606 Reproduced in 1907 Photographische Korrespondenz |
607 1907 written on front |
608 |
609 |
610 |
611 |
612 |
613 |
614 |
615 |
616 |
617 |
618 |
619 |
620 |
621 |
622 |
623 |
624 |
625 |
626 |
627 [Gertrud Lasson] |
628 |
629 |
630 |
631 |
632 1907 in composite card designComposite Card |
633 |
634 |
635 |
636 |
637 |
638 |
639 |
640 Regina Badet Full Series |
641 |
642 Monna Delza |
643 |
644 |
645 Full Series |
646 |
647 Juanita Valencia |
648 Composite Card |
649 |
650 |
651 |
652 Likely Tiller Girl series |
653 |
654 |
655 |
656 |
657 |
658 Jane Dirys |
659 [Gilda Darthy] |
660 Full Series |
661 |
662 |
663 |
664 |
665 |
666 |
667 |
668 |
669 |
670 |
671 |
672 |
673 |
674 |
675 |
676 |
677 |
678 |
679 |
680 |
681 |
682 |
683 |
684 |
685 |
686 |
687 |
688 |
689 |
690 |
691 |
692 |
693 |
694 |
695 |
696 |
697 |
698 |
699 |
700 [Lili James] |
701 |
702 |
703 |
704 |
705 |
706 |
707 |
708 Monna Delza |
709 |
710 |
711 Full Series |
712 |
713 |
714 |
715 |
716 |
717 |
718 |
719 |
720 |
721 Full Series |
722 |
723 |
724 Monna Delza |
725 |
726 |
727 |
728 |
729 |
730 |
731 Monna Delza Photo Moreau & Kivatizky |
732 [Gabrielle Robinne] |
733 [Mia Layeska] Full Series |
734 |
735 1908 postmark |
736 |
737 |
738 |
739 |
740 |
741 |
742 |
743 |
744 |
745 |
746 |
747 |
748 |
749 |
750 |
751 |
752 Monna Delza |
753 |
754 |
755 |
756 |
757 |
758 Full Series |
759 |
760 |
761 |
762 |
763 Full Series |
764 |
765 Full Series |
766 |
767 |
768 Gertrud Lasson |
769 |
770 |
771 |
772 |
773 [Ruth St. Denis] Photo Paul Boyer |
774 |
775 [Ruth St. Denis] |
776 |
777 Wini Grabitz |
778 |
779 |
780 |
781 |
782 |
783 |
784 |
785 |
786 |
787 Wini Grabitz |
788 |
789 |
790 |
791 Photo Moreau & Kivatizky |
792 |
793 |
794 Photo Moreau & Kivatizky |
795 |
796 |
797 |
798 |
799 |
800 |
801 |
802 |
803 |
804 |
805 |
806 |
807 |
808 |
809 |
810 Photo Moreau & Kivatizky |
811 Gretchen |
812 Julia |
813 |
814 |
815 |
816 |
817 |
818 Photo Moreau & Kivatizky |
819 |
820 |
821 |
822 |
823 |
824 |
825 |
826 |
827 Gertrud Lasson |
828 |
829 |
830 |
831 |
832 |
833 |
834 |
835 |
836 |
837 |
838 |
839 |
840 |
841 |
842 Photo Moreau & Kivatizky |
843 |
844 |
845 |
846 |
847 |
848 |
849 |
850 |
851 |
852 |
853 |
854 |
855 |
856 |
857 |
858 Photo Moreau & Kivatizky |
859 |
860 |
861 |
862 |
863 |
864 |
865 |
866 |
867 |
868 |
869 |
870 |
871 |
872 # may be incorrect |
873 |
874 Photo Moreau & Kivatizky |
875 |
876 |
877 |
878 |
879 |
880 |
881 |
882 |
883 |
884 |
885 |
886 |
887 |
888 |
889 |
890 |
891 |
892 |
893 |
894 |
895 |
896 |
897 |
898 |
899 Photo Paul Boyer |
900 |
901 |
902 |
903 |
904 |
905 |
906 |
907 Photo Moreau & Kivatizky |
908 |
909 |
910 |
911 |
912 |
913 |
914 |
915 |
916 |
917 |
918 |
919 |
920 |
921 |
922 |
923 |
924 |
925 |
926 |
927 |
928 |
929 |
930 |
931 |
932 |
933 |
934 |
935 |
936 |
937 |
938 |
939 |
940 Mme. Sahary |
941 |
942 |
943 |
944 |
945 |
946 Mignon |
947 |
948 |
949 |
950 |
951 |
952 |
953 |
954 |
955 Composite Card |
956 |
957 |
958 |
959 |
960 |
961 Composite Card |
962 |
963 |
964 |
965 |
966 Elfriede Pfaffenberg |
967 |
968 |
969 |
970 |
971 |
972 Wally |
973 |
974 |
975 |
976 |
977 |
978 |
979 |
980 |
981 |
982 |
983 |
984 Marjorie |
985 |
986 |
987 |
988 |
989 Marjorie |
990 Photo Moreau & Kivatizky |
991 |
992 |
993 |
994 |
995 |
996 |
997 1908 written on front of card |
998 |
999 |
| ||||
NPG Thematic Series 1000 and Above Sample Cards |
1059 |
1127 Hanni Reinwald |
1202 |
1352 |
1527 |
1655 |
1716 Wally |
1870 |
1992 Carola Toelle (2nd from left) |
2065 |
2177 Carola Toelle |
2265 |
2399 |
2428 Ada Mitchell Tiller Girl |
2500 |
2664 |
2737 |
2856 |
2900 |
3045 |
3197 Dated 1914 |
3276 Grete and Hanni Reinwald |
3340 |
3439 |
3596 |
3660 |
3756 |
3807 |
3916 |
6172 1917 incorporated in design |
7041 |
7261 Elga Brink |
7377 Elga Brink |
7473 |
7861 |
7915 |
9063 |
9188 |
9461 |
12592 |
12695 |
12767 |
12882 |
12923 |
14048 |
14115 |
19114 |
183 |
218 |
358 |
454 |
531 |
635 Wally |
709 |
871 |
997 |
1159 Wally |
1334 |
Fine Arts |
Performers |
096 Flag Logo |
223 Moon-Star Logo Edna Esmeralda |