Alan Mays' photos

A rather dark photo showing a room decorated for Halloween. Handwriting on the back of the photo identifies the scene as a "Halloween party at apartment of Helen and Bert Pour, Cleveland, Ohio," but there's no date. Note, among other decorations, the witch above the lamp on the left, the spider web at the window in the center, and the jack-o'-lanterns above the window and on the fireplace mantle on the right.

As Wikipedia explains, " Spook Hill is a gravity hill (an optical illusion where cars appear to roll up the spooky hill) in Lake Wales, Florida." "Spook Hill, Lake Wales, Fla. It's weird! Fantastic! Stop on line. Release brakes. Watch for cars when you roll back. Prather's Laundry & Dry Cleaners. Watch for Prather's White Trucks." Description printed on the back of this postcard: "A few blocks from the heart of Lake Wales is that mystifying and fascinating phenomenon, Spook Hill. Here playful ghosts apparently seize your car and in defiance of the laws of gravity and your previous experience in such matters, roll your vehicle gently backward uphill, while they chortle in unholy glee at your mystification. Handwritten message: "Stayed here last night and went to Bok tower but it was so foggy. It is sunny now about 75 degrees. By the time this card is written we'll be in Miami. Torrey. Erna." No address, stamp, or postmark. Todd Franklin (Neato Coolville) also has a copy of this over on Flickr: Spook Hill Postcard .

"You auto have a happy Halloween. Oct. 31. Painting only copyrighted by International Art Pub. Co. 1908."

A black cat scaring veggie people in a Raphael Tuck Halloween postcard.

This Halloween postcard actually started out as an authentic 1908 Thanksgiving postcard (see Thanksgiving Greetings below). I couldn't resist doctoring the Thanksgiving message, however, in order to transform it into a Halloween postcard with a modern sentiment.

This Thanksgiving postcard, which was published in 1908 and postmarked in Lynn, Mass., on November 25, 1910, seemed more appropriate for Halloween to me. I couldn't resist changing the message to make it into a Halloween postcard. See Happy Halloween, You Turkey! (below).

Founded in 1803, N. J. Haibara was a Japanese printing company and paper manufacturer based in Tokyo, as this Victorian-era business card indicates (see my Google-assisted translation below). Today, the firm operates under the name of Haibara Corporation and still manufactures washi and other types of paper. -------- N. J. Haibara Vingt recompenses obtenues aux expositions. Maison fondée en 1803. Eventails, cartes postales illustrée, crans. Papiers peints, tentures et tapisseries.Dessins imprimés sur la planche. Gravée, lithographié, phototypie. Cartes de visite. Papiers à lettre, enveloppes et cathets à papier. Imagier et marchand de papier. 1 Nihonbasi, Tôkiô, Japon. R. Nakamoura, atelier d'imprimerie, Simonegisi, Tôkiô. -------- N. J. Haibara Twenty awards obtained at exhibitions. House founded in 1803. Fans, illustrated postcards, screens. Wallpapers, wall hangings, and tapestries.Drawings printed on board. Engraving, lithography, collotype. Visiting cards. Letterheads, envelopes, and cachets for paper. Image maker and paper merchant. 1 Nihonbasi, Tokyo, Japon. R. Nakamoura, print shop, Simonegisi, Tokyo.

Strangely out-of-focus, bow-bedecked, unsmiling girls, awkwardly holding hands, surrounded by trees and fallen leaves, with a puzzling misty whiteness visible beyond the trees. Yikes!

"No. 404, Hatters' 2 designs." A sample of an advertising trade card for hatmakers.

A real photo postcard of a young boy in what is apparently intended to portray Native American clothing. The photo was taken at Penn Park Studio in York, Pa. I wonder whether this was a Halloween costume.

"Hats" for the Vintage Photos Theme Park . In this real photo postcard, fourteen fellows doff their hats to reveal their membership in the "Bachelor's Club." Note that a dog helps out by wearing a hat that displays a period as a concluding punctuation mark. Although it's difficult to make out, a second dog is lying on the ground on the left-hand side. In the middle are cut pieces of watermelon with forks stuck in them. So what did the club members do next? To find out, take a look at a second Bachelor's Club photo .

After posing for their official photo (see below), the members of the Bachelor's Club enjoy some freshly cut slices of watermelon. The two dogs in the previous photo have left, but a cat is now standing guard at right.

This advertising trade card showing Christopher Columbus (above) was intended to appeal to students. R. H. Buttorff (1849-1934), a photographer in York, Pennsylvania, gave cards like this to teachers, who could then reward students for good behavior by filling out the " Certificate of Reward " (below) that was printed on the back of the card. The certificate also offered a discount on special "Columbian" cabinet photographs that students could purchase at Buttorff's studio.

R. H. Buttorff (1849-1934), a photographer in York, Pennsylvania, used an advertising trade card showing Christopher Columbus (below, front of card) to promote his "special highly finished 'Columbian' photographs" in 1893. The "Certificate of Reward" (above, back of card) that he offered to teachers for distribution to students was similar to the rewards of merit they were already familiar with. In addition to the usual student recognition for "deportment and standing in studies," however, this reward certificate doubled as a coupon redeemable for a half-price deal on cabinet photographs. Unfortunately for us, however, the expiration date was March 1, 1894.

"At the World's Fair. Uncle Sam--What have you found now, Christopher? Columbus--Ah! At Last we have discovered 'solid comfort.'" Sign: "Re:Marks on Solid Comfort." -------- Text on back of trade card: If you want "solid comfort" you must have a Marks Adjustable Folding Chair. It combines in one a handsome parlor, library, smoking, and reclining chair, a perfect lounge and full length bed, and is altogether the best chair in the wide, wide world. In construction it is simple, durable, and elegant. Are you interested to know more about it. Catalogues fully illustrating the Marks Chair as well as a most complete line of invalids rolling chairs, invalid and library supplies will be furnished free on application to: Marks Adjustable Folding Chair Co., Ltd., sole proprietors and manufacturers, 930 Broadway, New York, and 215 Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Ill. Frank E. Marks, pres., R. K. Thompson, sec. & treas. Philadelphia agents, John Wanamaker. San Francisco agents, Burr Folding Bed Co. Bigelow Lith. Co., Springfield, Mass.

Women dressed in costumes for a Halloween party or some other occasion.

Flier announcing James Brown's appearance at the State Theatre in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on October 28, 1966. The Big Show of the Year The Fabulous James Brown, Mr. Dynamite. "Man's, Man's, Man's World." "Is It Yes, or Is It No?" "I Got You." The Famous Flames. The Jewels, "My Song," "This Is My Story." Butterbeans & Dixie. Go-go dancing girls. James Crawford, "Honest I Do." Bobby Byrd, "Oh! What a Night." Extra added attraction, Swanee Quintette, "That's the Spirit," "Try Me, Father." James Brown's Big 18-Piece Band. Halloween Show, State Theatre, Harrisburg, Pa., Fri., Oct. 28. Two shows, 7:00 & 10 p.m.