Alan Mays' photos

What appears to be an odd game of hide-and-seek in a spooky forest is captioned "Peek-a-Boo, July 3, 1908," on the front of this real photo postcard. The image's irregular edges add to the strangeness of the scene. The imprint on the back—"W. W. Deatrick, Kutztown, Pa."—identifies this as a photo by William Wilberforce Deatrick (1853-1925), who was a longtime faculty member at what is now Kutztown University . Additional examples of Deatrick's photos are available for viewing in the Kutztown University Postcard Collection . See also " W. W. Deatrick Left His Mark at Kutztown ," an article by George M. Meiser that appeared in the Reading Eagle , April 6, 1983.

"1er Avril. L'amitié vous l'envoie." A hand-tinted French real photo postcard for the first day in April.

Found photo sent though the mail as a postcard. Postmarked Saginaw, Michigan, March 27, 1986.

"I'm all ears. Tell me all about it. Wall." A corny postcard by illustrator Bernhardt Wall .

"Augustus F. Siller, paper hanger, 437 Franklin St., Philadelphia, Pa." A nineteenth-century business card for a Philadelphia wallpaper hanger. For other late nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century business and trade cards for paper hangers, see A. B. Tack, Practical Paper Hanger and Decorator, Harrisburg, Pa. , A. E. Cobaugh, Paper Hanging, Falmouth, Pa., 1902 , and Frescoing! House and Sign Painting, E. A. Weis, Reading, Pa. (see below).

"Frescoing! House and sign painting, paper hanging, graining, glazing. Latest styles of wall paper in large variety. All work done as represented. E. A. Weis, agt., 26 N. 6th St., Reading, Pa. Eagle Job Print, Reading."

A vintage business card for "Dr. J. C. Brobst, druggist, Broad St., Liti[t]z , Penn."

For additional photos and information regarding the Greyhound "trailer coaches" that were used in 1933 and 1934 at the Chicago World's Fair (its offical name was "A Century of Progress International Exposition"), see Lord K's Garage #125: The Greyhounds of Progress , an article posted on Dieselpunks. Handwritten on the back of the photo: One of the Fair Buses 10¢ one way around the grounds. 25¢ round trip with all the stops you desire. This means anytime and anywhere. You can't see much by riding.

A good motto for times like these. 8-)

A snapshot of a ship-shaped building that's designated as "Rambler I" on its bow. A silhouette of a flying horse similar to Mobil 's Pegasus logo is painted on the side of the building. I didn't spot any structures like it on Debra Jane Seltzer's Ship Buildings pages, and I haven't been able to determine where it might have been located and whether it's still standing.

"Miss Rosemary, WKBN-TV, Romper Room, Channel 27." Miss Rosemary was the hostess for the local version of the the Romper Room children's show that aired on WKBN-TV in Youngstown, Ohio. For a similar real photo postcard featuring a different hostess, see Romper Room, WGAL-TV, Lancaster, Pa., ca. 1950s (below).

A woman and man pose with unique hats and a teddy bear in a photobooth shot. People in old photographs like this are looking to you for your help in keeping Ipernity going. If you enjoy viewing vintage photos like the ones I post or if you like to peruse the new photos shared by all the talented photographers on the site, I hope you will join me in helping to save Ipernity. I've already donated to the crowdfunding effort initiated by the Ipernity Members Association to keep Ipernity from shutting down, and I hope you will consider a donation, too. Here's a link to the donation page: www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/ipernity-members-association-a-non-profit-entity For more information, please see the Ipernity Members Association's Crowdfunding Press Release at: ipernityma.wixsite.com/ipernityma/crowdfunding Sincerely, Alan Mays

"York Fire Department, York, Pa. Vigilant Combination Chemical and Hose Wagon. Engine House, 267 W. Market St." Combination Chemical and Hose Wagon, York Fire Department, Vigilant Engine House, York, Pa.

"Chas. K. Hamilton Flying at Cameron Co. Fair, Emporium, Pa., Sept. 14, 1911." A real photo postcard addressed to Anneada B. Secrist, Rebersburg, Pa., and postmarked Emporium, Pa., Oct. 2, 1911. Message: "Dear Anneada, Am waiting for a letter from you and very busy but am going to write you a letter if you don't soon write. Have not heard from May in two months. Lovingly, Ophelia." According to Wikipedia, Charles K. Hamilton was "an American pioneer aviator nicknamed the 'crazy man of the air. He was, in the words of the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission, 'known for his dangerous dives, spectacular crashes, extensive reconstructive surgeries, and ever present cigarette' and was 'frequently drunk.' He survived over 60 crashes." Oh, in case you didn't notice the daredevil aviator in his Curtiss biplane, mouse over the image above to reveal the tiny silhouette of the man and his plane above the trees near the center of the photo.

A detail from a real photo postcard showing daredevil aviator Charles K. Hamilton flying above the trees in his Curtiss biplane in 1911. For more information, see the full version of the photo:

A real photo postcard of three women clowning around with a wheelbarrow. For some similarly amusing photos, see my Wheelbarrows, Carts, and Other Conveyances album, or check out the Vintage People in Wheelbarrows group.

"Me worry? No--I buy my tires, etc., from Lloyd Wingenroth, East Main Street, Ephrata, Penna. Phone: 3-8601." A pre- Mad Magazine image of Alfred E. Neuman used on a linen advertising postcard. See also John FitzGerald's copy of this Me Worry? postcard.

A ticket or invitation for an "Old Folk's Ball" held in Litchfield, New Hampshire, in 1869. "Old Folk's Ball at Town Hall, Litchfield, on Wednesday evening, March 3d, 1869. Your company, with ladies, is respectfully solicited. Floor managers: S. Kennard, S. Chase, I. N. Center, R. Frye, Isaac McQuesten, John White. Good music will be in attendance. Dancing to commence at 8 o'clock."