Alan Mays' photos

A photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park topic of awkward family photos (vintage photos of odd, embarrassing, or amusing scenes from your own family's history or someone else's) . After the cavorting couple overturned the bench they were sitting on, everyone in camp stopped what they were doing to watch as the two of them continued their awkward antics on the ground. "Black Diamond Camp" is painted on the side of the bench, but I haven't been able to determine where it might have been located. See also the full version of this real photo postcard. Another photo— Footrace Photo Finish? —that I purchased along with this one may show some of the same individuals.

For a better view of the cavorting couple on the ground, see the cropped version of this real photo postcard.

A fishing photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park topic of knitting, fishing, and kissing (photos of people who are knitting, fishing, or kissing; post examples of all three if you have them.) . "Better Than Haying" is the caption of this real photo postcard by Vermont photographer Edwin T. Houston, who published it in 1906 (take a look at the full version to see Houston's inscription at the bottom of the photo). Just about any activity would be better than "haying," or making hay by hand, which is a laborious chore that usually has to be done on a hot summer day. The farmer in the photo, with his dog by his side, is taking a break from haying by casting his fishing line into the water. The farmer has literally turned his back on his haymaking tools, which are visible on the left-hand side of the photo. We can see the teeth of a rake , the blade of a scythe , and the handle of a third tool, which must be a hay fork with its tines stuck in the ground. So the humorous moral of the story told by this carefully constructed scene is, of course: Fishing is better than haying!

What is it that's "Better Than Haying," as the caption says? For an explanation, see the cropped version of this real photo postcard.

A kissing photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park topic of knitting, fishing, and kissing (photos of people who are knitting, fishing, or kissing; post examples of all three if you have them.) . A real photo postcard of a guy and a gal hugging and kissing at an awkward angle out in the yard (is that a kid's toy wagon they're sitting on?). And judging by the tilt of the picture, the photographer evidently had a slanted view of the couple's relationship.

A real photo postcard with "Elmer, age 6, Clair, age 7."

For other tobacco dealer cards, see S. N. Mumma and Co., Packers of and Dealers in Leaf Tobacco, Landisville, Pa. , and Benj. H. Brubaker, Dealer and Packer of Pennsylvania Seed-Leaf Tobacco, East Petersburg, Pa. Hipple Bros. & Co., Inc. Leaf Tobacco Main Office, 151 N. Third St., Philadelphia Packing Warehouse, Cor. Duke & Chestnut Sts., Lancaster, Pa.

"S. N. Mumma & Co., packers of and dealers in leaf tobacco, Landisville, Pa. Represented by ________."

"Benj. H. Brubaker, dealer and packer of Pennsylvania seed-leaf tobacco. East Petersburg, Lanc. Co., Pa."

"Eighth Annual Pic Nic of the Philadelphia Assembly. Lady's Invitation. Strawberry Mansion. Monday, Sept. 1st, 1856." A lady's embossed ticket or invitation for the annual picnic of the Philadelphia Dancing Assembly that was held at Strawberry Mansion in 1856. See also the similarly named Lady's Invitation, Reliance Fire Company, 15th Annual Ball, Jan. 1, 1879 .

A photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park monthly topic of dogs (submit a photo on this topic each week in addition to—or instead of—a photo for the weekly topic) . Unfortunately, there isn't any identifying information on the back of the postcard, and I haven't been able to determine the location of Fresh Lake Farm. See also the full version of this real photo postcard.

See also the cropped version of this real photo postcard.

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of all dressed up and nowhere to go (fashionably dressed women and men) . A real photo postcard of a woman in a long fur coat who's standing in front of a painted backdrop. The AZO stamp box on the back of the photo suggests a possible date as early as 1922 to 1926, but "4-47" appears as part of the notation at the bottom of the image (it's difficult to read because the writing is upside down and backwards). Could this date to the 1940s rather than the 1920s?

"A heart and a hand, / All thy own to the last. Th. Moore." Postmarked in Ellicottville, N.Y., March 16, 1909. The couplet on this postcard is from a poem, "Come, Rest in This Bosom," by the Irish poet Thomas Moore .

An embossed Saint Patrick's Day postcard published by the Rose Company in the early twentieth century.

[Oops, looks like I was a little late last night in posting my "messages, captions, inscriptions" photo, and Phil beat me to the punch with his "all dressed up and nowhere to go" photo for this week's theme. I'd be glad to remove this from the group if anyone has any objection to my tardiness.] A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of messages, captions, inscriptions (a written comment, description, or explanation added to the back or front of a photo) . Claude J. Diliplane (1887-1950) of Reading, Pennsylvania, served in the U.S. Army at the end of World War I, from May to December 1918. He was 31 years old when he noted on the back of this real photo postcard that his picture was taken at Fort Myer , Virginia, on July 18, 1918. He also jokingly said, "I think if you put this alongside the pig, he'll smile. Try it and see." He closed with "Some Pig" before signing his name. Claude was 62 years old and working as a machinist when he tragically died on Monday, January 30, 1950, from injuries he received from being hit by a car at Second and Penn Streets in Reading the previous Saturday night ("Pedestrian Dies of Auto Injuries," Philadelphia Inquirer , Jan. 31, 1950, p. 8).

Claude J. Diliplane was serving in the U.S. Army during World War I when he wrote this self-deprecating message on the back of his photo. For more information, see the front of this real photo postcard . Transcription (edited with added punctuation): Ruth, I think if you put this alongside the pig, he'll smile. Try it and see. Some Pig Claude J. Diliplane Fort Myer, Va., July 18, '18

A woman and her rocking horse.