How Dry We Are

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of fun-loving folks.

Stamped in ink on the back of this photo: "Made by Geo. W. Boas, 636 First St."

George Washington Boas (1863-1951), who lived at 636 First Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, took this photo of some jolly gents wearing an assortment of hats and holding a variety of implements — a couple of rakes, a scythe, a lawn mower, and some sort of sword. Five of the fellows are looking longingly at the drink in the sixth one's hand, and the caption is "How Dry We Are."

The Cyko stamp box ("Cyko - Place Postage Stamp Here") on the other side of this divided-back real photo postcard indicates that it may date to the years between 1907 and the 1920s. Perhaps Boas took the photo sometime before he placed the following ad in the August 1918 issue of Camera Magazine:

"For Sale--8 x 10 Seneca camera, like new; genuine leather bellows; sliding front and back; long focus; fitted with Goertz Sector shutter; ƒ6.8 anastigmat lens. Six plate holders, carrying case and tripod. Everything in first-class shape. Cheap for cash. George W. Boas, 636 First Street, Lancaster, Pa."

See also the full version of the photo.