Alan Mays' photos

A cyanotype photo cut to fit into an oval frame.

Even if you don't celebrate the fourth day in July as Independence Day, I wish you a happy and enjoyable July 4th! Alan

A real photo postcard showing two couples--Cal and Grace, Harry and Alvilda--picnicking somewhere in or near Portland, Oregon. See also a cropped version of this photo showing a close-up of the picnickers and their box of Abetta Biscuits. Posted as a barbeque/picnic photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park group. Handwritten message on the front (above) by "Alvilda," who's the woman on the right in the photo: This is Cal and Grace, Harry and I, out on a picknick . Printed on the back: Cal Calvert, 10 Minute Postcard Man, City Park, Washington St., Entrance, Portland, Oregon. Mazeograph process. Copyrighted. Handwritten message on the verso (there's no address, stamp, or postmark): Hello, Mama and Papa, When are you coming to see us. We are having lovely weather and would like for you to come before the rain starts again. Cal and Grace was down and spent the eve last night. Business is doing fine now. Hop-picking is over you know and people have money now. Good bye, your Alvilda.

For more information, see the full version of this real photo postcard:

"Free pass when presented at the door the night of the Buddy Deane Hop. All we ask in return is that you tell your friends about the Hop of the Year." -------- Winston "Buddy" Deane was the host of the Buddy Deane Show , which was a popular teen dance show that aired in Baltimore from 1957 to 1964. If you're familiar with the John Waters film (and later musical) Hairspray , then you may know that the Buddy Deane Show was the basis for the film's Corny Collins Show. Deane was also the disc jockey at record hops in Maryland and Pennsylvania during the late 1950s and early 1960s. These were advertised as a "Buddy Deane Hop" or the "Hop of the Year," and they were often sponsored by school and community groups as fundraising events. In the years following the release of the original Hairspray movie (1988), Deane deejayed again, this time for middle-aged fans at record hops in Baltimore . Buddy Deane passed away in 2003 at the age of seventy-eight.

Printed on the back of this linen postcard: "Lesher's Diner, Routes 11 & 15, 28 miles north of Harrisburg, 28 miles south of Sunbury, Liverpool, Penna. Breakfast, luncheon, dinner. Specializing in steaks, chops, sea-food. Home-made pastries baked in our kitchen, Have your car serviced at adjoining AMOCO Station while dining in our delightful diner. 24 hour service. Photography by James E. Hess. Pub. by Mellinger Studios, Lancaster, Penna."

A postcard parody of a membership card for the "Down and Out Club" and an advertisement for the Powers Photo Engraving Company, "fastest engravers on earth." Down and Out Club of the United States of America No.: Back number. Date: Not yet but soon. This is to certify that after a thorough examination Mr. R. G. Brubaker has been elected a member of the Down and Out Club of America. His usefulness being gone is subject to the Skidoo Treatment. A. Hasbeen, president. To the woods. Not yet but soon. Walla-walla. 23 skidoo. Copyright 1906 by the Powers Photo Eng. Co., Fastest Engravers on Earth, 154 Nassau St., N.Y.

"If you want a big man for sheriff, vote for Laury P. Sevis, the biggest man in York County (363 pounds). Thanks." A local political candidate card, probably dating to the 1930s.

"Battle of Gettysburg. Scholar's ticket. This ticket and 15 cents admits a scholar to matinee." The Battle of Gettysburg , one of the bloodiest clashes during the American Civil War , began 150 years ago on July 1, 1863, when Union and Confederate forces met near the town of Gettysburg in south central Pennsylvania. This is an early student ticket for the Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama , a huge 360-degree panoramic painting that depicts a dramatic scene from the battle. The Gettysburg Cyclorama was created in 1884 for display in Boston, moved to Gettysburg in 1913 in time for the hundredth anniversary of the battle, and is now part of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center .

Magician Howard Thurston (1869–1936), who performed with his daughter Jane, used cards like this in his card throwing act. For another example of a magician using "whispering imps" in advertising, see The Great Raymond Is Here (small image below).

"Dorney Park Skee-Roll Alley, 2 coupons."

"H. M. Bruck, merchant tailor, No. 118 Park Avenue, near Lexington Street, Baltimore."

"Hurrah! Hurrah! The Fourth of July. Liberty. Copyright 1908, P. Sander, N.Y." The disembodied head of Uncle Sam appears to be exploding out of an oversized firecracker to commemorate Independence Day!