Alan Mays' photos

"Old Mill, Rock Springs Park, Chester, W. Va. Aquarama." The Aquarama (see sign on building) or Old Mill was an enclosed water ride at the now defunct Rock Springs Park in Chester, West Virginia. An " old mill " ride was also called a "tunnel of love" at some amusement parks.

"Move the sun please, we just can't help squinting. M.C.L." A real photo postcard addressed on the other side to Mr. Earl Cady, Laramie, Wyo., and postmarked in Laramie on April 27, 1909. For other squinty photos, see the Flickr group Squinting at the Sun. Vintage Photographs .

Cupid's driving a flowery automobile to deliver "A Message of True Love" on this valentine postcard from the early twentieth century.

"Ach(k)ing. I am a [king] to see you. Ak(qu)ing." A punning postcard (get it—"I am a king" = "I am aching"?) addressed on the other side to Mr. Arthur Steinberg, Marquette, Kansas, and postmarked McPherson, Kansas, August 7, 1912. Handwritten message: "Hello, Hope you got home safe and sound and did not get caught in the rain. Well I guess I can't come down for the hop. Wish I could though. Hope you have a good time at the picnic. As ever, Esther. Ans."

Here's a wireless telegram That I will send to you I'm in love with you—I am I love you 'deed I do Be my valentine. R. F. Outcault Cartoonist Richard F. Outcault (1863-1928) featured Buster Brown and his dog Tige—both of them winking and smiling—in this valentine from 1904.

Printed on the other side of this real photo postcard: "Boeckmann, park photographer, Olcott Beach, N.Y." Handwritten on the other side: "Ornan Rebert." Two fellows pretend to paddle their canoe in photographer John Boeckmann 's studio in Luna Park at Olcott Beach, located along the shore of Lake Ontario in Olcott, New York.

For the Vintage Photos Theme Park, a photo from a capital city - photos taken in capital cities around the world . A real photo postcard of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Partial transcription of the handwriting on the back of the card (no address, stamp., or postmark): "Caro Zio, Vi Auguro un Buon Natale e un Buon Anno con la nua famiglia. Albert D. Alona." Google translation: "Dear Uncle, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with your family. Albert D Alona." For a better view of the building and the fellow sitting in front, see the cropped version :

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

An early twentieth-century postcard of a devilish fellow who's evidently been doing too much smoking and drinking.

A unique combination of a business card on one side and an acquaintance card on the other. For another two-sided example, see Acquaintance Compliments with Confidence and Respect , which has a name—like a calling card—on one side and the text of an acquaintance card on the other. For more cards, see my album of Acquaintance Cards . For information regarding my book of detachable acquaintance cards, which was published recently by Clarkson Potter, see my Flickr profile page . O. M. Dolley Livery Both 'phones. Horses and carriages furnished for business or pleasure at reasonable rates. 21 Water Street, Auburn, N.Y. Typographical Union Label, Auburn. Let's Get Acquainted Capital, 10 millions in my dreams. Not married, 1906. Kind regards to friends and knockers. Out for a good time.

A photo of banquets, feasts, meals for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Looks like the banquet for the League of Men with Tiny Hats was just about to begin when this photo was snapped (mouse over the image for a close-up view of the men and their miniscule headgear). I have no idea who these guys were or why they were wearing those hats. It doesn't seem to be a festive occasion—no one's really smiling or laughing at the sight of more than 70 heads festooned with funny hats. Ironically, some of the men's regular-size hats are hanging on racks at the back of the room.

For more information about these men and their hats, see the full version of this photo.

A Victorian-era calling card with pasted-on photo. For other similar cards, see my Calling Cards with Photographs album.

An advertising postcard for a deluxe Olympia typewriter model, nicely accented with a dog figurine, pretty flowers, and a rattan window shade. Printed on the back: "Olympia offers instrument precision and classical beauty to give you the most modern portable for many years of enjoyment and trouble-free service. The most advanced premium features are standard equipment (at no extra charge) on the Olympia model SM3 DeLuxe...."

"Aim Straight. A. Lanborn." Cupid is aiming straight for the heart in the illustration on this nineteenth-century sentiment card .

"Join the crowd at the Swing Club Dance, Friday, October 11, 1940. Jam to Sam Loss. Hostetter's Ball Room. 9 to 12, semi-formal. Donation, $1.00 per couple." Samuel W. Loss and his orchestra jammed for the Swing Club crowd at Hostetter's Play Barn (or Ball Room) in Bird-in-Hand, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on October 11, 1940.

A photo of something broken for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Handwritten note on the back of this real photo postcard: "Powder mill blew up, March 31, 1910." The remains of a powder mill following an explosion of the black powder (gunpowder) that was being manufactured in the building.