G. Dupont-Emera (G.D.E.)

Amazing is the right word for this series of early 20th Century postcards by G.D.E. French actors are portrayed in unusual, sometimes lively poses which seem like improvisations for the camera. The photos and the postcards were made in Belgium by G. Dupont-Emera in Brussels and the French actors probably visited his studio at the Rue Royale 124 and 142 between 1898 and 1909 when they performed on a stage in the Belgian capital. Dupont started his first studio in Brussels in 1896 at 43 Montagne de la Cour (1896-1900). His final studio was located at 44 rue de la Ligne. Little else is known about photographer and publisher G. Dupont-Emera (1865-?) or Dupont, but EFSP salutes his work!


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera), Rue Royale 142, Bruxelles. André Brulé in the play 'Vieil Heidelberg' (Alt Heidelberg) (1906). The card was sent by mail in 1909. 'Alt Heidelberg' was a popular German stage play by Wilhelm Meyer-Förster. It was staged in France for the first time in 1906, at the Theatre Antoine, in a translation by Maurice Remon & W. Bauer. It knew many adaptations for the cinema. Ernst Lubitsch adapted it as The Student Prince of Old Heidelberg (1927), starring Ramon Novarro and Norma Shearer.

French actor André Brulé (1879-1953) created Arsène Lupin on the stage (1908, Athenee, Paris). Brulé also played in such films as Werther (1910), Le club des élégants (1912), and Les frères corses (1917). in the late 1930s, he also played several protagonists such as the lead in Vidocq (1938), Fernand in Les gens du voyage (1938), and Monsieur de Nogrelles in Retour de flamme (1943).


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera), Rue Royale 142, Bruxelles.

French actor and director Jules Berry (1883-1951) is best remembered for his superb character work in the films by Jean Renoir and Marcel Carné.


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera), Rue Royale 142, Bruxelles.

Maurice de Féraudy (1859-1932) was a French director and an actor of the Comédie-Française. He was also a notable actor and director in French silent cinema.


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera), Rue Royale 142, Bruxelles.

French actor and director Henry Krauss (1866-1935) was a veteran of European cinema. From 1908 on he starred in several powerful character roles in early silent films.

Jules Berry

French postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera). At the start of his stage career, actor Jules Berry played for twelve years at the Galeries Saint-Hubert theatre in Brussels. The Brussels public gave him a very warm welcome. He played in particular in the comedy Le Mariage de Mademoiselle Beulemans, which had its premiere in 1910 at the Théâtre de l'Olympia in Brussels, and became a big success in Belgium and abroad, and was also turned into an operetta (1912) and film adaptations (1927, 1932, 1950). Berry's outfit in this card may well refer to this popular play. He played Albert, a Parisian employee of the brewer Beulemans, and this not only in Brussels but also in the Paris and London performances of the play.


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera).


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera).

André Brulé

Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera).


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera, Bruxelles). André Brulé must have done a large photo shoot for Dupont, as many cards by GDE exist of him, either in his princely uniform from the play 'Vieil Heidelberg', or in his "ordinary" clothes.


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera, Bruxelles). André Brulé an unknown actor in the play 'Vieil Heidelberg' (Old Heidelberg). Sent by mail in Belgium in 1908.


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera, Bruxelles).


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera, Bruxelles).


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera, Bruxelles).


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera, Bruxelles).


Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera, Bruxelles).

Henry Krauss

Belgian postcard by G.D.E. (G. Dupont-Emera, Bruxelles).


Belgian postcard by Ed. Vanderauwera & Cie., Bruxelles. Photo: Dupont. Caption: Henry Krauss in 'Don César de Bazan'. 'Don César de Bazan' is an opéra comique by Jules Massenet, based on the drama 'Ruy Blas' by Victor Hugo.


Belgian postcard by Ed. Vanderauwera & Cie., Bruxelles. Photo: Dupont. Caption: Henry Krauss in 'Don César de Bazan'. 'Don César de Bazan' is an opéra comique by Jules Massenet, based on the drama 'Ruy Blas' by Victor Hugo.


Belgian postcard by Ed. Vanderauwera & Cie., Bruxelles. Photo: Dupont. Caption: Henry Krauss in 'Don César de Bazan'. 'Don César de Bazan' is an opéra comique by Jules Massenet, based on the drama 'Ruy Blas' by Victor Hugo.


Belgian-French postcard by Vanderauwera & Co., Bruxelles / Paris. Photo: Dupont. Henry Krauss in the lead role of the stage play 'Paillasse' by Adolphe d'Ennery.


Franco-Belgian postcard by Vanderauwera & Co., Brussels / Paris. Photo: Dupont. Henry Krauss in 'Hamlet' by William Shakespeare.


Franco-Belgian postcard by Vanderauwera & Co., Brussels / Paris. Photo: Dupont. Caption: Henry Krauss as Hamlet.

Four extra cards

Belgian postcard. Photo: G. Dupont-Emèra (G.D.E.), Bruxelles. Alfred Jacque as Beulemans and Suzanne Gay as his daughter Suzanne in the operetta 'Beulemans marie sa fille' (1912), an adaptation of the stage comedy 'Le marriage de Mlle Beulemans' (1910) by Frantz Fonson et Fernand Wicheler, with music by Arthur Van Oost, and staged at the Brussels Théàtre Royal des Galeries St. Hubert.


Belgian postcard. Photo: Photo G. Dupont-Emera (G.D.E.), Bruxelles. Publicity still for the operetta 'Beulemans marie sa fille' (1912), an adaptation of the stage comedy 'Le marriage de Mlle Beulemans' (1910) by Frantz Fonson et Fernand Wicheler, with music by Arthur Van Oost, and staged at the Brussels Théàtre Royal des Galeries St. Hubert.


Belgian postcard. Photo: Photo G. Dupont-Emera (G.D.E.), Bruxelles. Publicity still for the operetta 'Beulemans marie sa fille' (1912), an adaptation of the stage comedy 'Le marriage de Mlle Beulemans' (1910) by Frantz Fonson et Fernand Wicheler, with music by Arthur Van Oost, and staged at the Brussels Théàtre Royal des Galeries St. Hubert.


Belgian postcard. Photo: G. Dupont-Emèra (G.D.E.). Jules Berry as André and Jane Delmar as Claire in the play 'La Demoiselle du magasin' (The shop girl), a 1913 theatrical play in three acts written by Belgians Frantz Fonson and Fernand Wicheler, who had already had a big success with their play 'Le marriage de Mlle Beulemans' (1910). 'La Demoiselle du magasin' was first performed in Paris at the Théâtre du Gymnase, from 13 February 1913. From 12 October of the same year, it was shown at the Théâtre des Galeries Saint-Hubert in Brussels - to which this card refers. For Delmar, the play meant her claim of fame. After months of performances in Paris, the success was repeated in Brussels. In 1915 the play was staged again in Paris, but this time without Berry. In 1921 there were plans to stage it once more, now again with Berry.

Sources: Cartophilie.be and BnF.