Alan Mays' photos

For a National Temperance Society pledge card that urges abstinence from alcohol and profanity as well as tobacco, see Touch Not, Taste Not, Handle Not . Anti-Cigarette Pledge For the sake of strength and purity, I promise, with the help of God, never to use tobacco in any form, and to help others to abstain from its use. Name: Bessie G. Gilstrap. Date: Apr. 22, 1916. "If sinners entire thee, consent thou not." Prov. 1:10. Missionary Volunteer Pledge Series, No. 8.

"Independent Order of Cadets of Temperance. We educate to love truth & temperance. This is to certify that ________ is a member in regular standing in ________ sect., no. ____, I.O. of C.T. ________ G. ________, 18____. Elliott, printer, cor. 4th & New, below Vine." For a similar membership card, see Theodore K. Young, Independent Order of Cadets of Temperance, 1858 .

"Independent Order of Cadets of Temperance. We educate to love truth & temperance. This is to certify that Theodore K. Young is a member in regular standing in Crystal Fount Sect. No. 15, I.O. of C.T. Geo. King, G. Sep. 15th 1858." For a similar membership card, see Independent Order of Cadets of Temperance .

Compare this pledge card with a Lincoln-Lee Legion Pledge Card, 1903 , and an Anti-Cigarette Pledge, 1916 . "Touch not. Taste not. Handle not. Pledge. I hereby promise, by the help of God, to abstain from the use of all intoxicating liquors, including wine, beer, and cider, as a beverage; from the use of tobacco in any form, and from all profanity. National Temperance Society, 58 Reade Street, New York."

"Lincoln-Lee Legion. Love, sacrifice, service. Abstinence Department of the the Anti-Saloon League. I hereby enroll with the Lincoln-Lee Legion and promise with God's help to keep the following pledge." "Whereas the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is productive of pauperism. degradation, and crime, and believing it is our duty to discourage that which produces more evil than good, we therefore pledge ourselves to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage." "A sober nation and a safe highway."

Or to put it more straightforwardly, this acquaintance card asks, "May I see you home?" The Encyclopedia of Ephemera (New York: Routledge, 2000), p 4, provides additional information: "A novelty variant of the American calling card of the 1870s and 1880s, the acquaintance card was used by the less formal male in approaches to the less formal female. Given also as an 'escort card' or 'invitation card,' the device commonly carried a brief message and a simple illustration.... Flirtatious and fun, the acquaintance card brought levity to what otherwise might have seemed a more formal proposal. A common means of introduction, it was never taken too seriously."

One of the dealers at a local antique mall sells a variety of old photos, and I usually find a few interesting images each time I visit. I noticed that the dealer occasionally adds pithy comments--ranging from clever and witty to sarcastic and dark--to the back of some of the photos, and I began watching for these "precaptioned" pics when I looked through the piles of hundreds of unsorted snapshots at his stand. I can't resist the captions that turn out to be interesting or amusing (and sometimes quirky or strange), and I often end up buying the photos, even if they're bent, torn, or taped. I don't know anything about the dealer who conjures up these captions, but perhaps he, too, appreciates a good Far Side or Charles Addams cartoon.

Handwritten on the back of this photo: "Atlantic City, N.J."

I thought at first that the doll was sitting on some sort of wheelbarrow, but as lisabee73 points out (see comments below) it's more likely that this is actually a dog cart or baby carriage. Printed on the back of this CDV: "A. Jandorf & Co., Berlin, C. Spittelmarkt 16/17, S.W. Bellealliancestr. 1/2, N.O. Grosse Frankfurterstr. 113. Platten werden zur Nachbestellung aufbewahrt."

A real photo postcard. See also a detail showing a close-up of the purse that the girl is holding. For a discussion regarding what kind of purse it is, see Flickr: A Girl and Her Dog . Handwritten on the back: "Louise Creighton. Born in year 1910."

Detail from A Girl and Her Dog showing a close-up of the purse that the girl is holding. For a discussion regarding what kind of purse this is, see Flickr: A Girl and Her Dog . Handwritten on the back of this real photo postcard: "Louise Creighton. Born in year 1910."

Printed on the back of this real photo postcard: "Shapiro Multigraph, 302 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa."

For previous comments about this real photo postcard, see the discussion on Flickr: Two Girls with Bows .

"Your story has touched my heart. Never before have I met anyone with more trouble than you. Please accept this token on my sincerest sympathy."

See also the back of this card: Dunk a Donut and Be Merry! -------- This certifies that ________ is a life member of the National Dunking Association and is permitted at all times to dunk donuts either in private or in public, without criticism or interference. Headquarters: 152 West 42nd Street, New York City. Local charter: The Donut Hut, 109 N. Main St., Chambersburg Pa., Phone 824 W.

See also the front of this card: National Dunking Association Membership Card . -------- The Optimist's Creed. As you ramble on thru life, brother, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole! The National Dunking Association respectfully requests all members to observe the Official Dunking Rules. Splashing is taboo. Any member caught getting his fingers wet will be subject to suspension. With that, we wish you "Happy dunking!" And when you dunk, be sure you dunk donuts identified by the official Seal of Tested Quality, for delightfully delicious and winningly wholesome donuts enjoyed by millions of people. National Dunking Association. Seal of Tested Quality.

In recognition of National Doughnut Day , June 7, 2013. From Wikipedia: "National Doughnut Day is on the first Friday of June each year, succeeding the Doughnut Day event created by The Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the women who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I. The holiday celebrates the doughnut (a.k.a. 'donut') – an edible, torus-shaped piece of dough which is deep-fried and sweetened. Many American doughnut stores offer free doughnuts on National Doughnut Day." Don't Forget the Salvation Army (My Doughnut Girl) "Words by Elmore Leffingwell and James Luca. Music by Robert Brown and William Frisch. This song officially endorsed and adopted by the Salvation Army (official seal). Broadway Music Corporation, Will von Tilzer, president, 145 West 45th St., New York. E. E. Walton." Chorus: Don't forget the Salvation Army, Always remember my doughnut girl. She brought them doughnuts and coffee Just like an Angel, she was their best pal As brave as a lion but meek as a lamb, She carried on beside the sons of Uncle Sam. So don't forget the Salvation Army, Remember my doughnut girl.