• Ladies Parlor B.F. Keith Theatre DAYTON OHIO Antique Linen Postcard Circa 1920s
1 2

C. M. Bunting

Ladies’ Parlor, B. F. Keith Theatre, Dayton, Ohio – Pre‑Linen Lithograph Interior View (Circa 1922 - 1928)

Ladies’ Parlor, B. F. Keith Theatre, Dayton, Ohio – Pre‑Linen Lithograph Interior View (Circa 1922 - 1928)

$12.00 USD
$12.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Flat $2.00 USPS First Class shipping on all postcards within the continental USA.


Low stock: 1 left

AT A GLANCE

Title:
"Ladies’ Parlor of the B. F. Keith Theatre"
Publisher:
C. M. Bunting Dayton, Ohio
Type:
Standard Size Postcard (3 ½” x 5 ½”)
Subject:
Theatre, vaudeville interior
Style:
Theatre interior; Beaux-Arts influence
Era:
Interwar Period (1918 – 1941)
Circa:
1922 - 1928
Print type:
Color halftone lithograph
Condition:
Excellent (EX)
Color:
Color (pre-linen palette)
Postcard:
Lithograph (Pre-linen Color)
Location:
Dayton, Ohio USA
Postmark:
Unposted | Unused
Notes:
Card #R-94303 | Divided back, blue ink, blank stamp box

Elegant pre-linen theater interior postcard featuring the lavish Ladies’ Parlor of Dayton’s B. F. Keith Theatre.

This early 20th-century postcard captures the opulent Ladies’ Parlor of the B. F. Keith Theatre in Dayton, Ohio — a richly appointed interior filled with gilt furnishings, floral upholstery, decorative mirrors, and refined French-inspired décor associated with America’s grand vaudeville theaters.

The printed tinted halftone color lithograph was published by C. M. Bunting of Dayton, Ohio. The card features a classic divided-back layout with blue ink and a blank stamp box with a smooth-surface and a painterly appearance characteristic of pre-linen postcard production. The B. F. Keith Theatre opened in 1922, and the printing style, publisher activity, and interior design strongly suggest an early-to-mid 1920s production date.

A beautifully preserved example of early American theater architecture and interior design. The postcard is in excellent condition and comes in a protective sleeve.

Historical Note

The B. F. Keith Theatre opened in 1922 as one of Dayton’s most lavish vaudeville houses, built with no expense spared in its architecture or décor. Two sweeping marble staircases led patrons to the first promenade, which was furnished with rare French antiques and richly appointed lounges designed to convey elegance and refinement.

By the late 1920s, vaudeville was in decline, and the theatre transitioned into a full‑time movie house. RKO purchased the building in 1930 and rebranded it as the RKO Keith Theatre. The theatre was demolished in 1967, but one remarkable artifact survived: its original 657‑pipe Wurlitzer organ. Saved by a local enthusiast, the instrument later spent time in Maine before eventually being acquired by the Chevalier Organ Society in Medford, Massachusetts — one of the few surviving pieces of the Keith’s opulent legacy.

Just a quick heads‑up: the photos reveal details far better than text alone, so they’re worth a close review.

We share as much accurate information as possible about each item—from provenance to condition—but the images often show the nuances best. If you ever need more details, we’re always happy to help.

View full details

Postcard Eras & Collecting Guide

  • Real Photo Postcards (c. 1890–1945)

    Early printed lithographs and Real Photo Postcards (RPPC) offer rich historical detail, documenting towns, events, family portraits, and everyday life. Disaster postcards depicting floods, fires, train wrecks, and other catastrophic events, were a popular way to share news as photographs could quickly be turned into postcards. Many RPPCs are scarce and unique due to their small‑batch production.

    Browse Real Postcards 

  • Pre-Linen Litho & Linen Postcards (c. 1907–1950)

    Pre‑Linen Litho cards (c. 1907–1929) were printed using smooth chromolithography and tinted halftone methods, producing soft, painterly views before the textured linen era. Linen postcards (c. 1930s–1950s) introduced high–rag‑content paper with a woven surface and bold saturated colors that reflected the optimism postwar travel culture. Together, these eras showcase the shift from early color printing.

    Browse Pre-Linen Litho and Linen Postcards 

  • Chrome Postcards (c.1939–)

    Chrome postcards, introduced in 1939, feature glossy surfaces, vivid color, and photographic imagery made possible by modern color film processes. The term “chrome” derives from Kodachrome, Eastman Kodak’s groundbreaking color film. Mid‑century examples depicting motels, highways, city skylines, national parks, and tourist destinations are collected for their documentation of postwar American travel and roadside culture.

    Browse Chrome Postcards