Alan Mays' photos

A tintype photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Another painted version of Niagara Falls (see also Holding a Bucket Under Niagara Falls ) appears in the background of this souvenir tintype photo, which originally came in a paper mount that would have covered up the uneven edges and clipped corners. The woman is holding a doll that appears to be dressed in a baseball uniform, and what looks like a purse is tucked under one of the doll's arms. Although it's difficult to see at the very edge of the photo, the man seems to be holding a stuffed animal of some sort. Notice that--like all tintypes--the image is reversed, so that the "L" on the doll's uniform is backwards. The falls on the painted backdrop are also reversed--the Horseshoe Falls at left should actually be on the right-hand side of the photo, while the American Falls at right should appear on the left-hand side. Mouse over the top of the tintype to see a mirror image of the photo that shows the "L" and the falls in their proper order.

For information about this image, see the original tintype photo .

"Camp Geo. G. Meade, Middletown, Pa. ________ 1898. Horse Shoe Plug Tobacco is the best." Top portion of a letterhead or billhead sheet--with a flag illustration and an advertisement for Horse Shoe plug tobacco--that was evidently printed for use at Camp Meade in Middletown, Pa., during the military camp's existence between August 24 and November 17, 1898. The 45-star version of the United States flag as seen here was in use from 1896 to 1908 (see the Historical Progression of Designs section in Wikipedia's Flag of the United States entry). As Wikipedia explains, " Camp George G. Meade near Middletown, Pennsylvania was a camp established and subsequently abandoned by the U.S. Volunteers during the Spanish American War. . . . Camp Meade was established August 24, 1898, and soon thereafter was occupied by the Second Army Corps of about 22,000 men, under command of Maj. Gen. William M. Graham, which had been moved from Camp Alger in an attempt to outrun the typhoid fever epidemic. Camp Meade was visited by President William McKinley on August 27, 1898. . . . Camp Meade was abandoned about November 17, 1898."

"Brown Village" is the caption on this real photo postcard signed by "Frazer," but I haven't been able to figure out who constructed this miniature village, where it was located, and whether the buildings in it correspond to those in an actual town somewhere in the United States. Mouse over the image to see a close-up of part of the village . The buildings, some of which are labeled, include a "Cudahy Packing Co., U.S.A." plant, water mill, church, "General Store," "Hotel," "Village School," and "Black Smith" shop. The initials "TVB" appear on a water tank above the Cudahy Packing Company, and a small sign next to the plant says, "Please Do Not Touch." Unfortunately, I haven't been able to determine what TVB stands for, nor have I been able to match the miniature Cudahy company building with a specific location (according to Wikipedia, the Cudahy Packing Company operated in over 97 U.S. cities by 1922). So until additional information comes to light, Brown Village will have to remain hidden somewhere in the twilight of some unknown zone.

See also the full version of this real photo postcard.

"Annual Invitation Ball of the Cummings Literary Union, at Ebbitt Hall, 33d Street, near Broadway, on Tuesday ev'g, Jan. 22, 1867. Admit gentleman and ladies."

A painted backdrops photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Two women hold on to a bucket in a fruitless yet humorous attempt to fill it with the water flowing over a painted version of Niagara Falls.

A bright and colorful Victorian-era calling card.

"E. L. Muellich, wholesale and retail dealer in love, kisses, and up-to-date hugs. I have no soliciters, all claiming to be, are fakes. Sole proprietor, lover's lane. A trial is all I ask, special attention to other people's girls. " Acquaintance cards like this one were popular in the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries They were a humorous way for young men to start up conversations, break the ice, flirt, or otherwise get acquainted with young ladies. In contrast to the formality of the Victorian-era calling cards, acquaintance cards were lighthearted and humorous, and they parodied the conventional etiquette of exchanging calling cards. The elaborate penmanship executed for the name in this example suggests that it may have been purchased through the mail or perhaps at an amusement park or at the beach. For additional examples, see my Flickr Acquaintance Cards set, which was featured in Brett and Kate McKay's article " May I See You Home? 19th Century Calling Cards Guaranteed to Score You a Date " on The Art of Manliness blog, Feb. 13, 2014.

An undated red-border Kodachrome slide, circa 1950s.

This valentine was incomplete when I bought it--there's no greeting or caption--but I thought it was interesting anyway. Perhaps the missing sentiment was "You quack me up, valentine."

A small calling card-sized, Victorian-era valentine, circa 1870s-1880s.

"The Jokemaster. / At cracking jokes you're a wow, / But your wisecracks are old, somehow, / Your jokes are stale, your puns are cheap, / You're so darn funny you make us weep!" A vinegar valentine criticizing those jokesters who tell us, "Listen--here's a new one!," and then proceed to relate a stale old chestnut from Joe Miller 's Joke Book (the first version of the book was published as Joe Miller's Jests, or the Wit's Vade-Mecum in 1739).

A St. Valentine's Day or love photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Mouse over the image to see an enlargement of the top portion of the card . "It certainly is a 'snap' to love you" is the caption for this valentine, which includes an attached photograph--a snap shot, of course--to deliver it's punning message. The photo shows a young girl who's wearing headphones (or perhaps some kind of radio headset--are those antennas extending from each side?), and she appears to be startled by what she's hearing. It's not obvious why the card publisher chose the girl's photo for this valentine. Was she a child actress? Were the headphones new and trendy? It's certainly not a snap to figure out!

See also the full version of this valentine:

Handwritten on the back of this handmade marbled paper valentine: "From Adeline to Nellie Kirk."

"Our valentines will be sold at cost to-day Centre aisle (round table). Sharpless & Sons, Philadelphia." A nineteenth-century advertising trade card that announced reduced prices for Valentine's Day cards.