Alan Mays' photos

A Victorian-era calling card for "Mr. E. H. White" along with his photograph, which looks like it may have been copied from a CDV. Anyone recognize the typeface? For similar cards, see my album of Calling Cards with Photographs .

A Halloween postcard illustrated by H. B. Griggs (H.B.G.). For another postcard by Griggs, see May Love Light Your Halloween Lantern! Addressed on the other side to Miss Edith Yoder, 322 N. Pine St., Lancaster, Pa., and postmarked Portland, Ore., Oct. 27, 1908. Handwritten message: "10/27-08. Hello Edith, How are you. Are you getting the pumpkins ready? By the way I would have used your remedy for cold feet, but am so sorry you forgot to enclose the stopper. I should say I wished I was on that moon-light walk to take care of you as I kind of think Edith needs to be taken care of. Lovingly yours, Sara Hechtman."

A ticket printed in 1894 by Pluck Print . Oyster and Turkey Supper At H. S. Keller's Hotel, Voganville, Pa. Dancing free. On Thursday evening, Dec. 20, 1894. Price $1.00 for gentleman only. Price $1.50 for gentleman and lady. Pluck Print.

"J. W. Dolliver's Café, 111 State & 5 Broad Streets , choice fruit & cigars. All orders for catering promptly executed." The Boston Globe for Monday, February 1, 1875, p. 5, reported that a "fire in the cellar of James Dolliver's café on the corner of State and Broad streets" the previous Saturday caused damage to the café and to the Western Union Telegraph Company office located next door. James W. Dolliver was also listed in city directories as the proprietor of a restaurant at the Custom House in Boston, but I'm not certain if or for how long he continued to operate his café at State and Broad Streets after the fire in 1875. And I'm not sure why "5 Broad Street" was crossed out on this copy of his business card. There's no longer any trace of a café at the corner of State and Broad streets in Boston. Perhaps Mr. Dolliver would be satisfied to know, however, that the Google Street view dated August 2017 does show a Dunkin' Donuts at that location. I doubt, though, that the fonts on DD's business cards are as elaborate as the ones on Dolliver's.

What would be a good name for the "largest horse in the world," a Percheron owned by Dr. L. D. LeGear, whose company manufactured patent veterinary medicines in the early twentieth century? Well, how about "Dr. LeGear"? That wouldn't confuse anybody, would it? Dr. LeGear Largest horse in the world. 21 hands high, weight 2995 pounds. Owned by Dr. L. D. LeGear Medicine Co., St. Louis, Mo. Mfrs. Dr. LeGear's Stock and Poultry Remedies. "One for every ailment." Printed on the back of the postcard: "Dr. LeGear" the giant horse is a beautiful dapple seal brown Persheron gelding 21 hands high, takes a 32-inch collar, is perfectly proportioned, absolutely sound, weighed May 1, 1913, 2995 pounds, and is valued at $25,000.00. Owned by Dr. L. D. LeGear Medicine Co., St. Louis, Mo., m'f'g's. Dr. LeGear's Stock and Poultry Remedies.

An early twentieth-century postcard with a parody of the well-known nursery rhyme. Mary and Her Little Lamb Mary had a little lamb You've often heard it said The lamb that Mary took to school Was on a slice of bread. Blackboard: The dog and cat / a big rat.

A photo of umbrellas or parasols for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Printed on the back of this real photo postcard: "Strunk's Studio, 730 Penn St., Reading, Pa." A young girl poses with a parasol in J. D. Strunk's photo studio in Reading, Pennsylvania. For earlier cabinet photos by Strunk, see Twin Boys with Bows, Reading, Pa., 1890s and Roy Peiffer on Strunk's Studio Horse, Reading, Pennsylvania .

In this real photo postcard, a minister of a church (location and date unknown) stands in the midst of fruits and vegetables that decorate the altar in preparation for a Harvest Home service. "Harvest Home" is a religious celebration that's still held today at some Lutheran, Reformed, and other churches in Pennsylvania and elsewhere during the late summer or early fall. As seen here, the observance typically involves a display of tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkins, cornstalks, flowers, etc. For additional examples, see Harvest Service, Lutheran Church, Strasburg, Pa., 1907 , and Harvest Home Greetings, Methodist Church, Strasburg, Pa., 1909 . In this photo, the inscription at the bottom of the stained glass window on the right-hand side says, "Donated by Robert, Ella, & Sallie Wise." The signboard hanging on the wall on the left-hand side of the photo provides the following information about the church: Register - Attendance & Offering Number on the roll - 200 Attendance today - 114 Attendance a year ago today - 81 Offering today - 236 Offering a year ago today - 104

"Harvest Service, 1907. Lutheran Church, Strasburg, Pa." For other photos that show church altars decorated for a Harvest Service (also called Harvest Home), see Harvest Home Display with Minister and Harvest Home Greetings, Methodist Church, Strasburg, Pa., 1909 .

"Harvest Home Greetings. Methodist Church, Strasburg, Pa." Addressed on the other side to Mr. Roy D. Mowrer, Strasburg, Pa., and postmarked Iva, Pa., Oct. 20, 1909. Message: "The musical is to be held in the Hall. You know. A.B.D." For other real photo postcards of Harvest Home celebrations, see Harvest Home Display with Minister and Harvest Service, Lutheran Church, Strasburg, Pa., 1907 .

For the Vintage Photos Theme Park, a photo of people photographed in bushes or plants (not beside them but in them--as seen in the Vintage Floraflage group on Flickr) . An early twentieth-century real photo postcard of people dallying in the daisies. For some similar photos, see my Floraflage album.

"W. R. Cheney, Carriage Builder. Repairing and repainting done promptly. 26 North Christian St., Lancaster, Pa." William R. Cheney (1859-1932) was a blacksmith and carriage builder in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. For similar business cards from the same job printer ( Pluck Print ), see Chas. O. Ursprung, Horse Collar Manufacturer, Lancaster, Pa. and William C. Myers, Practical Artesian Well Contractor, Salunga, Pa. For a card from another carriage maker, see Bardens Carriage Company, Horseshoers and Wagonmakers, West Orange, New Jersey .

Your favorite dog photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Seated on fire engine no. 13, these proud Dalmatian parents watch over their seven pups, who are trying to squirm their way out of firefighter's footwear. I haven't been able to determine the origin of this snapshot. I spent quite some time squinting at the hood of the engine in an attempt to figure out the name of the fire company. It's possible that the letters "aniley" are in part of the name above "[fi]re co." but I wouldn't bet any money on it. In any case, this is currently my favorite dog photo.

"What time is it down there?" "Just eleven." "It's twelve up here—you know eleven and twelve make 23." Handwritten: "Did this ever occur to you?" So what does the mother mean by yelling "eleven and twelve make 23" down at the couple hanging out on the hammock in the front yard at midnight? To understand the humor of this postcard from 1909, it helps to know that a fad about the meaning of the number "23" became wildly popular in the United States in the early twentieth century. Beginning around 1906 or 1907, "23"—along with "23 skidoo"—came to be used as a shorthand way of telling someone to "scram," "beat it," or "get lost," usually with a humorous or joking connotation. Referring to "23" in unexpected ways—as on this postcard or on a valentine —and even placing "23" in surprising places (like on the front of a painted automobile prop in a novelty photo) was a humorous way to let others in on the joke. So it's obvious that mom is keeping tabs on her daughter as she watches the couple from the second-floor window. And her reference to "23" makes it clear (to those in the know, at least) that she wants the guy to skedaddle. Postmark, address, and handwritten note on the other side of this postcard: Omaha & Ogden R.P.O. [ railway post office ], Apr 1, 1909. Miss Hazle Hainline, Grand Island, Neb., 222 W. 6th St. Hello Girlie, wish I could have had the pleasure to set and hear you sing and play tonight. How is mama and dad. Tonight is the first I have eaten since I left your place. Haven't been hungry. Mora. 113 Pub. by Keller Bros., Portland, Or.

"College of Physicians and Surgeons. 18th Annual Commencement, Academy of Music, Tuesday, March 18, 1890, 12 M. Admit bearer." For a similar ticket, see Commencement Exercises Ticket, June 18, 1886 .

The Cosmopolitan Club was the precursor to the International Students Organization at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Springfield College Digital Collections contains additional Cosmopolitan Club photos from various years.

A photo of a school or college group for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Young schoolchildren pose in front of a Christmas tree in their classroom. Take a closer look at the decorations on the tree and the children on the left and on the right.

A classroom Christmas tree adorned with paper chains, teddy bears with movable arms and legs, fireplaces with stockings, and other handmade decorations. See close-ups of the children on the left-hand side of the photo and those on the right-hand side.