Music and Musicians

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the monthly theme of pick your favorite theme(s)—why is it (are they) your favorite(s)? (submit a photo on this topic each week in addition to—or instead of—a photo for the weekly topic). I've always enjoyed photos of musicians, musical instruments, and other musical topics, especially informal ones like this picture of a boy playing a fiddle on the porch of a rustic house (see a cropped version for a slightly enlarged view). This is an unused real photo postcard with an Azo stamp box (four corner triangles pointing up) on the other side that suggests a date that may be as early as 1904 to 1918. The name "Sam Lewis" is written on the verso, though I haven't been able to track down any information about a fiddler by that name. For some other interesting music photos, see Frank Meger's Miniature Masquerade Ball and The Olzen Accordion School, Brooklyn, N.Y.

See also the full version of this real photo postcard.

An outdated technology (typewriters, record players, etc.) photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. A young man wearing a suit and hat stands next to a Edison cylinder phonograph sometime in the 1900s or 1910s. See also a cropped version and a close-up of the Edison phonograph in this real photo postcard:

For more information, see the full version of this real photo postcard:

For more information, see the full version of this real photo postcard:

"Next Sunday will be Rally Day in the school. Will you help make it a grand success by being present early yourself? Bring someone not already a member. Urge your parents to come. cordially yours."

A let's dance photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. This is a real photo postcard showing the winners of promoter George L. Ruty's "walkathon," which was held at White City Park, an amusement park located near Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in 1934. Walkathons were related to dance marathons , and both involved endurance contests that required participants to walk, dance, and perform other tasks over the course of days, weeks, or months in order to win cash and prizes. Spectators paid an admission fee to see the proceedings and often attended regularly to find out how well their favorite individual or couple was doing in the contest (fans could purchase photos of each couple, too--see below for Mary O'Connor and Charlie Cucci's , for instance). Some contestants made the rounds of different walkathons and dance marathons, and a few became popular locally or nationally. Frank Loveccio, who's wearing a striped shirt and suspenders and is standing third from left in the photo above, eventually parlayed his walkathon and dance marathon appearances into a wildly successful singing, songwriting, and acting career under the name of Frankie Laine (see below for another group photo that shows Frank Loveccio/Frankie Laine during his dance marathon days). Prize Winning Couples, Geo. L. Ruty's Walkathon, White City Park, 1934 Team #21 - Mickey Sheehan, Itsy Bachrach Team #10 - Frank Loveccio, Frances Leonard Team #29 - Aaron Sinton, Bobbie Smith M.C. - Phil Murphy Team #6 - Eleanor Johnson, Ralph Stanside Team #9 - Mary O'Connor, Charlie Cucci Judge - Fred Clifford

"Rosie Fink, Frank Loveccio, Ann Molash, Stanley Forte, Bobby Smith, Carolyn Ramos, Jimmie Barrett, Jo-Jo Delago, Muggsy Hurley." A real photo postcard of dance marathon contestants, date and location unknown. Frank Loveccio, second from left, later became famous as a singer and actor under the name Frankie Laine . For another group photo that includes Frank Loveccio/Frankie Laine, see Prize-Winning Couples, Ruty's Walkathon, White City Park, Pottsville, Pa., 1934 .

"Clarence L. Capewell, manager of Popp's Music Hall, Ensor & Mott Sts. Select dancing Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday nights. Always glad to see my friends. Baltimore, Md."

"Solo Match. Made in Austria."

Ena L. Metcalf. Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind.

"Maslin Quartette of Maryland, address--Rock Hall, Md. S. B. Maslin, silver-tongued tenor. W. L. Briers, second tenor. W. H. Davis, first bass. W. H. Coleman, second bass."

"Majestic Quartette, Irwin, Pa., musical sketches and songs for all occasions. A. Carlson, manager, first tenor. J. Carolan, second tenor. J. Carlson, baritone. A. George, bass." This Majestic Quartette may be the same one that's pictured on the cover of the sheet music for the 1905 song, Someone Thinks of Someone .

George Tarlson's Orchestra. 5 years of rhythm. Large or small orchestras for all occasions. Phone, Weirs 2213, 2542. George W. Tarlson, Jr., mgr. The Weirs, N.H. Calendar, 1936-1937. Check your date with George Tarlson's Orchestra on this calendar card.

"Eddie Parlett, the entertainment man. Cape St. Claire 2-285. Annapolis P.O., Md. Colonial 8-3036. Ladies nights orchestras."

"Roseland Nightingale Orchestra. A full evening's pleasure. Harry Wolford, business manager, 570 South Duke Street, Lancaster, Pa. Melody, pep, harmony. Bell phone."

"Dance to Charlie George's Syn-co-paters, Jenners, Pa. If it's a hit, we play it. Phone no. 9059R3, Jenners, Pa. Hot. Rhythm. Tuneful."

"Red Rose Boys, radio, vaudeville, and dance entertainers, Paul E. Shank, mgr., Rheems, Pa. Phone 109J2, E'town ex. Entertainment for all occasions. WGAL, WEEU, WHP."