Vintage original 2.5 x 4.5 in. silent film "calling card" pertaining to actor PAUL PANZER (AKA Paul W. Panzer). Issued during his association with the American branch of the Pathé Frères Motion Picture Co. of France, this was one of his personal "calling cards" (or business card) that he would hand out which publicized his occupation as a "Leading Man" for the famous early film studio and distributor.
 
It features a color image of the actor along with a color image of Pathé's famous rooster company logo. As indicated on the card, the American branch was located in Jersey City, NJ, which was the hub of American filmmaking at the time before the final migration west. It is in very fine condition.
 
Provenance: The John Robyns Collection.
 
*"Paul Wolfgang Panzerbeiter (November 3, 1872 – August 16, 1958), known professionally as Paul Panzer, was a German-American silent film actor. He appeared in more than 330 films between 1905 and 1952. Panzer was born in Würzburg, Bavaria. His education included studying pharmacy at the University of Wurzburg and studying vocal music at the Conservatory of Wurzburg. He was a lieutenant in Germany's artillery reserves when he left there.
 
Panzer's early work building sets and painting scenes for a New York City film studio developed his interest in the film industry. He also was involved with live theater, working for Augustin Daly both on stage and as stage manager.
 
Panzer was best known for playing Koerner / Raymond Owen in The Perils of Pauline. From 1934 through the 1950s he was under contract to Warner Brothers as an extra.
 
Panzer and his wife, Josephine, had a son and a daughter. After he retired from acting, Panzer lived with his daughter in Culver City, California. He died on August 16, 1949, in Hollywood, California, and was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood Hills.

Pathé or Pathé Frères (French pronunciation: ​[pate fʁɛʁ], styled as PATHÉ!) is the name of various French businesses that were founded and originally run by the Pathé Brothers of France starting in 1896. In the early 1900s, Pathé became the world's largest film equipment and production company, as well as a major producer of phonograph records. In 1908, Pathé invented the newsreel that was shown in cinemas before a feature film.
 
Pathé is a major film production and distribution company, owning a number of cinema chains through its subsidiary Pathé Cinémas and television networks across Europe. It is the second-oldest operating film company behind Gaumont Film Company, which was established in 1895."
*(source: Wikipedia)
 
GSB