Guide to the German Transvestite Postcards,
1903-1920

Collection Number: 7636

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
Andrea Hektor
Date completed:
June 2003
EAD encoding:
Andrea Hektor
Peter Martinez, June 2003
Sarah Keen, October 2008

© 2003 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
German transvestite postcards, 1903-1920.
Collection Number:
7636
Quantity:
62 items.
Forms of Material:
Postcards.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Language:
Collection material in English

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Sixty two late-Wilhelmine male transvestite postcards portraying twenty nine individuals in their Damen-Imitator personas, including three images of "Gauze, Canadian Indian Soprano." Sixteen are signed or inscribed by the subjects, with references to gay cabarets in Berlin, Cologne, Kiel, and throughout the country. Five are addressed to Paul Shafer and one to Asta, female impersonators of the period, who are also pictured on some of the cards.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Shafer, Paul.

Subjects:
Germany--Social life and customs.
Music-halls (Variety-theaters, cabarets, etc.)--Germany.
Sex in popular culture--Germany.
Transvestism--Gremany.
Transvestites--Germany.

Form and Genre Terms:
Postcards.
INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
German transvestite postcards, #7636. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
RELATED MATERIALS

Collecting Program: Human Sexuality Collection.