Benny the Tramp — Yours for Laughter, ca. 1937

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of shoes.

Inscription: "Yours for Laughter, Benny the Tramp."

I uncovered three mentions of Benny the Tramp in newspapers in 1937. The Mount Joy Bulletin (Mount Joy, Pa.), Sept. 22, 1937, p. 7, for instance, ran an advertisement for a Rheems Fire Company entertainment with local music groups, including "Happy Johnny & Vonnie and their group, featuring Benny the Tramp in the Funniest Man." I'm not sure what the "Funniest Man" was or what kind of performance Benny the Tramp provided. His attire, with a unique hat, round glasses, suspenders, striped stocks, and clown shoes, suggests a comedy act.

Printed on the back of this real photo postcard: "Photo by Shadle's Studio, York, Pa."

The Agfa Ansco stamp box (with "Place Stamp Here" in the middle and two stars at the bottom of the box) on the other side of this card indicates a date in the 1930s or 1940s.