Alan Mays' photos

Hunt's Cafe is located in the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, not far from the Gettysburg National Military Park . It looks like the potatoes there--dressed in Union blue and Confederate gray uniforms--are getting ready to reenact the Battle of Gettysburg.

For another photo of this cat and its owner, see Scolding the Cat? (below).

Or training it how to sit in a chair?

Detail showing a close-up of the cat. For the full photo, see Scolding the Cat? (below).

"Arizona Kid and His Cow Girls, Reading, Pa., 1941. Arizona Kid, Sun Set, Texas Jean, Moon Beam, Utah Ginny, Montana Patsy, Popeye, Chuckles, Winnie, and Sheriff and Cactus Sam. WYZ."

"Girls' Saxophone Band. Luther W. Albert, director. Evangelical Orphanage, Lewisburg, Pa. Special music for special occasions. Give us a call." A promotional card for the Girls' Saxophone Band, which was active from the 1930s to the 1950s. For another orphanage band, see Tressler Orphans' Home Band, Loysville, Pa.

"Checkers with board. Contents, 24 pieces." This is the top of a box containing a pocket-size checkerboard.

Or at least it was live back on July 20 and 21, 1969, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first astronauts to walk on the moon. The TV screen on the left (above) is an enlargement from a photo ( Don't Give Your Television the Boot --see below) that initially attracted my attention because of the distinctive boot-shaped vase that was on top of it. I couldn't determine what was on the screen, however, and didn't give it a second thought. Thankfully, though, when I posted the original photo, Angelica Paez noticed the date printed on the photo (August 1969, reflecting when the photo was developed) and suggested that those might be astronauts walking across the screen. After searching on YouTube, I located a video, CBS News Coverage of Apollo 11 - Moon Walk 06 , which shows the scene on the right (above) at 6 minutes and 57 seconds. Although the image on the left is faint, the white areas where sunlight is striking the lunar lander, flag, and astronaut seem to match up nicely with the corresponding parts of the image on the right. I'd like to thank Angelica for spotting this!

Handwritten on the back of this real photo postcard: "Grandpa Boor. Robert H. Studebaker. 82 & 2." Posted to the Vintage Photos Theme Park group for "old age" theme week. It's poignant how the boy is resting his hand on top of his grandfather's.

"R. & J. Beck, opticians, No.1016 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. W. H. Walmsley, manager. Spectacles, eye glasses, opera glasses, microscopes, thermometers, telescopes." For another trade card from this company, see R. & J. Beck, Opticians, Philadelphia, Pa. (thumbnail image below).

"R. & J. Beck, opticians, 1016 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Copyrighted by Chas. W. Frost 1879." There's no signature, but the artwork is either by or in the style of Kate Greenaway . For another trade card from this company, see W. H. Walmsley, Manager, R. & J. Beck, Opticians, Philadelphia, Pa. (thumbnail image below).

Handwritten note on the back of this photo: "This is the place. Taken Sept. 12, '52. Come and see us." Handwritten by someone else: "[Eau] Claire, Wis. Simon's Gas Station." Signage on front of gas station building: "Texaco. Lear & Simon. Marfak Lubrication. Washing." Other signs, banners, and billboards around the gas station: Registered Rest Room. A Texaco Dealer Service. Grand Opening. Come in! Meet your new neighbor. B. F. Goodrich Tire. Defies skids! Grand opening today! Free gifts! Copenhagen. Outdoors, indoors, the best way to take tobacco. If you like beer you'll love Schlitz.

Handwritten on the back of this real photo postcard: "1920 at Palisades Park. First I ever saw Grandma and Grandpa."

Because it just doesn't look right sitting there on top of it. -------- Thanks to Angelica's sharp eye (see her comment below), I've confirmed that the image on the television shows the first moonwalk in July 1969. For more info, see Live Coverage of the Moonwalk! (below).

"Eagle No. 6. Quality Brooms. Manufactured for B. S. Janney, Jr. & Co., Inc., 119-121-123 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa."

"Spring Garden Farms. Cantaloupes, grown and packed by Frederick H. Schmick, Preston, Maryland."

Posted to the Vintage Photos Theme Park group for "rattan/bamboo/wicker" theme week. Although the photo is obviously contrived, the gondola--with attached ropes and sandbags--looks like a real wicker basket similar in appearance to those used for hot air balloons. A real photo postcard addressed on the back to: "Mr. and Mrs. J. [Paules?], Oakryn, Pennsylvania, U.S. America." The message on the back: "Sept. 22nd, 1910. We are spending the afternoon at Zurich on our way home from Switzerland, had a lovely drive. The lady in the balloon with us is the one we have been staying with at St. Gallen. Love, Leslie and Ethel."