U2209

Silent Screen Stars

Theda Bara

Collins Cover Announcement 

STARS OF THE SILENT SCREEN

THEDA BARA

Ancient Egypt is the setting for this next FDC in my on-going Early Film Star Series. Theda Bara was one of the most gorgeous, striking, and magnetic leading ladies in the Golden Days of Hollywood. Cleopatra is her role in this hand-painted cachet as she brought the beautiful Queen of the Nile to life in the movie of the same name. On this cover, she reclines seductively next to a potted fern with her elbow resting on the head of a lion statue. Talking to her is her suitor and confidant, Marc Anthony. Beyond the handsome couple are the trappings of the lifestyle of Egyptian royalty.

A tile floor in a spacious hall provides the setting of regal splendor. Large pottery urns and wall murals depicting Egyptian soldier sentinels give this cachet an appearance that captures that "Land of the Pharaohs" feeling. In the distance through an open door, one of the great pyramids juts out of the desert floor.

Surrounding this scene is my custom border created just for this COLLINS set. A reel of film, a piano, a megaphone, and an early movie camera. Also a big part of the cachet appeal are two separate hand-painted "text banners" on each cover that enhance the colors used in the main body of each cachet.

Theda was someone special. Her work in "The Vampire" led to the term "vamp" that was so much a part of the Silent Film Era. Other major roles included "A Fool There Was" and "Salome". For the early movie theatre audiences, Miss Bara was indeed a daring and alluring actress. Her many charms helped create the magic of Hollywood escapism and entertainment. On this COLLINS hand-painted First Day Cover, she makes yet another curtain call as Cleopatra -- Queen of the Nile. Theda Bara. Item #U2209. $10.75.