The article presents a collection of 26 vintage postcards featuring Austrian actress Mia May, one of the prominent stars of early German silent cinema.Born Hermine Pfleger in Vienna in 1884, she demonstrated performing talent at a very young age and began appearing on stage as a child.During her teenage years, she continued acting and singing under the stage name Herma Angelot while also studying ballet.In 1902, she married Joseph Otto Mandl, later known as film director and producer Joe May.

After moving to Berlin around 1912, Mia May entered the emerging film industry and made her screen debut in 'In der Tiefe des Schachtes,' directed by her husband.She quickly became a leading actress in German silent films and appeared in approximately 44 productions between 1912 and 1924.

Her performances were especially associated with melodramatic and tragic roles, earning comparisons with notable contemporaries such as Asta Nielsen, Henny Porten, and Pola Negri.Beyond acting, Mia May played an important role in film production.She served as managing director of May-Film GmbH, the company founded by her husband in 1915, and also contributed as a screenwriter.Her successful career ended abruptly in 1924 following the tragic suicide of her daughter, actress Eva May, after which she retired from the screen.

When the Nazi regime rose to power in Germany, Mia and Joe May emigrated through France to the United States because of Joe May's Jewish background.In Los Angeles, they attempted to operate Austrian-themed restaurants, including the Wiener Bar and later the Blue Danube.Although these ventures were not long-term successes, the couple remained in the United States.Joe May died in 1954, and Mia May lived until 1980, passing away in Los Angeles at the age of 96.