Alan Mays' photos

Even the big kids tell Santa what they want for Christmas! This picture is from the inside of a "Merry Christmas from Santa" photo folder (see below for the cover and inside page).

The cover and inside page of a "Merry Christmas from Santa" folder containing a photo taken during this fellow's visit to see Santa Claus (see below for an enlargement of the photo). For another big kid who went to see Santa, take a look at And What Would You Like for Christmas, Soldier? (below).

"The Night before Christmas. A Merry Christmas." Christmas eve is a bit late for little Suzy to be writing to Santa, especially since the not-so-jolly fellow is materializing out of the flame of a candle! You better be good for goodness sake, Suzy!

A what a grin photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Written on the front of this real photo postcard: "Hello Enulia, this is me. Harold Andersun" (my best guesses for the spelling of the names). Stamped on the back: "Downers Grove Photo Studio" (which was probably located in Downers Grove, Illinois) . Poor Harold has evidently heard the bad news about Ipernity but is still putting on a brave front (unlike me, who's having a bit of trouble mustering up a smile).

A family with pets photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Printed on back of the back of this real photo postcard: "Penn Park Studio, 25-29 W. College Ave., York, PA. Near the York High School. Duplicate orders can be obtained any time." One dog, five bunnies, and fifteen people posed for this picture (mouse over the image for a close-up featuring the pets ).

For more information, see the original photo :

A photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park to show an example of inset and add-on photos (photos on postcards, calling cards, etc.) . Text on this bogus bill (including the words hidden under the photo): "United States of Anemia will pay to the bearer on demand twe dollars. This is not legal tender for all debts public and private, and unredeemable in lawful money at the United States Treasury or any Federal Reserve Bank. A. Phoneybill, Treasurer of the United States. Washington, D.C. Twe. U. Cantcashit, Secretary of the Treasury. Twe dollars. 3." A souvenir "twe" (three) dollar bill with a glued-on photo of a woman that was probably taken sometime in the 1970s. The back of the bill (see below) indicates that it came from Mr. Sy’s Casino of Fun, which was located "in Fas[h]ion Square across from the Stardust Hotel" in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more photos on bills, see the Mr. Sy’s Casino of Fun posting on Katherine Anne Griffiths' Photobooth Journal .

"Mr. Sy's Casino of Fun, Las Vegas, in Fas[h]ion Square across from the Stardust Hotel. The United States of Anemia. Twe dollars. Twe 3." The center of the bill was discolored by the glue that was used to attach the photo on the other side (see below).

"Hi Bill! Does the foreman know about this?" "He ought to, it's dropped on him!" A comic postcard with pasted-on heads that were cut from photos.

A birthday postcard with an oval inset photo of a woman.

A Victorian-era chromolithographed card with an added photo (a rectangular portion of the card was cut out of the middle, and the photo--part of a CDV--was affixed to the back). As far as I can determine, "Merry Christmas 1890" is what's stamped at the top.

"Thanksgiving Greeting." A turkey seems to be hiding inside a hollowed-out pumpkin in this Thanksgiving postcard from the early twentieth century.

For another postcard from this Thanksgiving series, see Thanksgiving Greetings from Uncle Sam (below).

For some other quirky Thanksgiving postcards featuring Uncle Sam, see Ruler of the Day on Thanksgiving and Uncle Turkey Sam (below).

One in a series of patriotic Thanksgiving postcards depicting various diners at flag-draped tables. For another example, see Thanksgiving for Our Army and Navy Forever (below).

"Thanksgiving Ball! At Town Hall, Lisbon, N.H., Thursday eve., Nov. 18, 1869. Your company is solicited. Floor managers, J. K. Atwood, J. W. Coburn. Music furnished by the orchestra of the Lisbon Cornet Band. Ticket for dancing, $1.00."

An at the piano photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Handwritten note on the back of this real photo postcard: "3/24-12. Taken March 10, 1912, about 1:40 p.m. Parlor and sitting room. First sitting. M. B. Wittle, Elizabethtown, Penna." A man sits at—or at least near—a piano in this wonderfully detailed glimpse into a parlor and sitting room in Elizabethtown , Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1912. Judging from the note, Milton B Wittle (1877-1963) was the subject and/or the photographer. Mouse over the image above for closer looks at the lamp and fern , the top of the piano (with a stuffed squirrel and cornet!), the Hasbrouck Cabinet Grand Piano and stool , the mustachioed man and the fish bowl , and the man in his chair .

For more information, see the original photo :