Antique Paper Moon RPPC Matching Pair — Kamin\'s Chicago Photo Studio
Exceptional matched pair of original early-20th-century Paper Moon real photo postcards, apparently depicting the same young woman in two different poses against an elaborate celestial studio backdrop.
Both sepia-toned photographic postcards feature the wonderfully expressive Man in the Moon crescent prop, surrounded by painted stars, clouds, and a sweeping comet-like streak across the sky.
What makes this pair particularly interesting is that each photograph features a different romantic moon-themed caption, and the reverse sides carry two different Chicago addresses associated with Kamin\'s photographic studios.
Offered together as a two-postcard collection, preserving their particularly appealing visual and historical relationship.
Postcard 1 — “In the Light of the Silvery Moon”
The first photograph shows the young woman in a light-colored, lace-trimmed dress with decorative sleeves, pendant necklace, and ankle boots. She is seated along the curve of the crescent moon, with one hand resting against the large sculpted profile of the Man in the Moon.
The caption “In the Light of the Silvery Moon” likely references the enormously popular 1909 Tin Pan Alley song “By the Light of the Silvery Moon,” written by Gus Edwards and Edward Madden. The song helped popularize the romantic moon imagery associated with early-20th-century novelty photography, making this postcard a particularly charming example of the era\'s popular culture.
The portrait has an especially graceful theatrical composition, with painted stars scattered around the sitter and a dramatic celestial backdrop above.
Studio imprint on reverse:
Kamin\'s Photo Studio
3264 W. Madison St.
Chicago, Ill.
Postcard 2 — “Did You Ever Dream of Seeing Me Up in the Moon?”
The companion photograph appears to feature the same woman in a different dress and seated pose, photographed against the same remarkable crescent moon and starry background.
Here she is seated more upright along the lower curve of the moon, her hands resting near her lap and knees.
The caption reads:
“Did You Ever Dream of Seeing Me Up in the Moon?”
The beautifully sculpted human face of the crescent moon is especially visible, including its eye, prominent nose, mouth, and chin.
Studio imprint on reverse:
Kamin\'s Postal Studio
3320 W. 26th St.
A Remarkable Matching Pair
Paper Moon photographs were a popular form of novelty studio portraiture during the early 20th century.
Photographic studios used elaborate painted backdrops and large crescent moon props to create charming, dreamlike portraits that customers could purchase or send as real photo postcards.
These two examples are especially appealing because they feature:
Two different portraits of apparently the same female sitter
Matching anthropomorphic Man in the Moon backdrop
Two different romantic, moon-themed printed captions
Different period clothing and poses
Painted stars, clouds, and comet-like celestial details
Original Kamin\'s Chicago photographic studio imprints
Two distinct Chicago studio addresses
Original sepia-toned real photo postcard format
Unposted divided postcard backs
Standard postcard size, approximately 3.5 × 5.5 inches each
The shared scenic backdrop and related subject matter make these more interesting together than two unrelated Paper Moon postcards.
The pair also offers a fascinating glimpse into the novelty photography and popular romantic imagery of early-20th-century Chicago.
Collector Interest
A particularly attractive original pair for collectors of Paper Moon RPPCs, Man in the Moon photography, anthropomorphic moon imagery, antique novelty postcards, Chicago photographic studios, early portrait photography, women\'s fashion, and whimsical celestial imagery.
Original Paper Moon photographs have an established collecting audience, and these two companion images offer the opportunity to acquire a visually coordinated pair rather than a single isolated example.
Date: Estimated circa 1910s–early 1920s; exact date unverified.
Quantity: Two original real photo postcards.
Size: Approximately 3.5 × 5.5 inches each.
Condition: Antique condition with age-related toning, foxing, scattered surface marks, creasing, and edge/corner wear. Please see all scans for complete condition details.
Both original postcards are included in this listing and will be sold together. They are not modern reproductions.
Please visit Paper Trail Studio for more original antique real photo postcards, Paper Moon photography, unusual vintage portraits, historic photographs, and collectible ephemera. Combined shipping is available whenever practical.
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