Alan Mays' photos

"Search me O God and know my heart. Ps. CXXXIX.23."

"Boston Art Gallery, 109 Franklin St., Johnstown, Pa."

Although this photo was in poor shape when I bought it and required significant touch-up to make the image somewhat more visible for posting, I thought that the appeal for assistance printed on the back of the card made it worthwhile. I did some searching for further information about the triplets, but didn't uncover a definitive account of their story. The Find A Grave Web site contains some information regarding the girls' parents, Jarred Washington Tracey (1857-1906) and Emma Barton Tracey (1858-1949) (I'm not sure why the parents' middle names don't match their middle intials on the card). Emma Tracey's entry includes a different photo of the mother with her three daughters. Find A Grave also contains entries for the children, Mabel V. Tracey McKelvey (1886-1967) , Edith Grace Tracey Thompson (1886-1967) , and Bessie Barton Tracey Willard (1886-1966) . -------- Printed on the back of the card: The Triplet Children of J. M. and Emma C. Tracey, Fountaindale, Pa. Mable Viola, Born April 4, 1886, noon, weighed 6 lbs. Edith Grace, Born April 5, 1886, noon, weighed 6 lbs. Bessie Barton, Born April 6, 1886, 4 p.m., weighed 7 lbs. Mrs. Tracey, the mother of these babes, was born with but one arm. Photographs taken Aug. 26, 1886. Cabinet photographs of these children will be mailed to any address for 25 cents. Address J. M. Tracey, Fountain Dale, Adams co., Pa. The profit from the sale of photographs will be devoted to rearing and educating the triplets. -------- Printed on the front of the card below the photo (too faint to be visible here): "Tipton Photo, Gettysburg, Pa."

"Lewis Kramer (successor to S. H. Bucher). Practical blacksmithing and horseshoeing. Repairing of wagons and machinery. Rear 332 Chestnut St., Pottstown, Pa."

Photographer: E. F. Eton, 329 Market St., Harrisburg, Pa.

See also the front of this CDV . "J. G. Vallade, portrait painter and photographer, one door above post office, Altoona, Pa. Negatives will be preserved. Photograph albums, gilt and rosewood frames, and landscape oil paintings for sale."

See also the back of this CDV , which identifies it as coming from the studio of "J. G. Vallade, portrait painter and photographer, one door above post office, Altoona, Pa."

"Compliments of A. D. Harding, artistic photographer, 42 Main St., Susquehanna, Penn'a. Satisfaction guaranteed." For a delightful collection of similar cards with photos, see Photo_History's set of Calling Cards, Business Cards, and ID Cards over on Flickr.

"When can their glory fade."