Alan Mays' photos

"Borden's Condensed Milk, Bottled Milk & Cream. Gail Borden, Eagle Brand. Office, No. 227 East 34th St." A real photo postcard of a milkman with his horse and delivery wagon in New York City.

An unused real photo postcard, date and location unknown.

Flirtation lists like the ones printed on this card also circulated in books, newspapers, and other media in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These lists suggested that common objects like buggy whips and handheld fans could be used by men and women to secretly signal their romantic intentions, but the coded gestures really seem too complicated for easy communication. Flowers, handkerchiefs, gloves, parasols, hats, cigars, and pencils were other items allegedly employed for covert courting. For more on flirtation cards and acquaintance cards , see " When 'Flirtation Cards' Were All The Rage ," an article by Linton Weeks on the NPR History Dept. blog. See The Ghost Card, or the Skeleton on the Wall (below) for the other side of this card. Whip Flirtation Holding stock in left hand and lash in right—Desirous of an acquaintance. Holding the same, and placing center against the waist—I am sorry. Holding in left hand by center—Will you bathe with me? Lash in right hand, stock down—I love you. Same in left hand—I hate you. Taking in both hands by center—I love another. In center, hands crossed—We are watched. Right hand in center, left on lash—Yes. Left hand in center, right on lash—No. Butt against right eye—I am engaged. Against the left eye—I am married. Holding it with the left hand against the right shoulder—Follow me. In right hand against left shoulder—Wait for me. End in each hand, center bent down—You are cruel. Same, with center up—You are too willing. Winding lash around forefinger—Repeat your last signal. Fan Flirtation Carrying in right hand in front of face—Follow me. Carrying in left hand in front of face—I wish to be acquainted. Placing on right ear—You have changed. Twirling in left hand—I wish to get rid of you. Drawing across the forehead—We are watched. Carrying in right hand—You are too willing. Twirling in right hand—I love another. Closing—I wish to speak to you. Drawing across eyes—I am sorry. Resting on right cheek—Yes. Resting on left cheek—No. Open and shut—You are cruel. Dropping—We will be friends. Fanning slowly—I am married. Fanning quickly—I am engaged. Handle to lips—kiss me. Shut—you have changed. Open wide—Wait for me. Drawing through hand—I hate you. Drawing across cheek—I love you.

A novelty card with instructions for experiencing a ghostly afterimage of a "skeleton on the wall." For a vertical view of the skeleton, see a rotated version of the card (below). The other side contains a list of Whip and Fan Flirtations (below). For other cards that use the afterimage effect, see Hank Keene's Magic Picture and Lasting Impressions . The Ghost Card, or the Skeleton on the Wall Directions . Select a small black spot on a white wall, or white sheet—a spot that you can find again at once; let this spot be in a deep shadow . Then holding the card in the hand gaze intently on the eye of the skeleton, while the light falls brightly on the card. Keep the eyes on this one spot without moving or winking for two minutes; then suddenly look at the spot on the wall for two minutes. Keep the eye very steady in both cases, you will then see distinctly the same skeleton on the wall. For a parlor entertainment this is one of the grandest things ever witnessed.

For more information, see The Ghost Card, or the Skeleton on the Wall (below). For the back of the card, see Whip and Fan Flirtations (below).

A photo of faith, hope, and charity for the Vintage Photos Theme Park (any one of these themes or all 3, post up to 3 photos) . A real photo postcard of children who are standing around a fountain and displaying their patriotism and faith by saluting a flag and cross at Bible School Park, which was located in Johnson City, New York. A posting on the Davis College History blog (see Shall We Gather at the Fountain? ) reprints this same photo and explains that the fountain was originally built as part of an amusement park. The Practical Bible Training School later bought the park, and today it's the site of Davis College , a Bible college. A second blog posting (see Postcard of the Front Drive of PBTS Looking to Riverside ) shows another postcard and a contemporary view of where the fountain stood.

A photo of faith, hope, and charity for the Vintage Photos Theme Park (any one of these themes or all 3, post up to 3 photos) . Handwritten note on the back of this real photo postcard: "Recuerdo de La Virgen de Covadonga el 17 de Agosto de 1929." Google translation: "Souvenir of Our Lady of Covadonga on August 17, 1929." This souvenir real photo postcard shows a family of four at the Catholic shrine for Our Lady of Covadonga in Covadonga, Spain. The opening to the Holy Cave of Covadonga (Santa Cueva de Covadonga) and the chapel inside it are both visible in the background. The gaunt appearance of the girl on the right makes me wonder if she was suffering from some serious illness when this photo was taken. If so, then perhaps it was the family's hope for a miraculous cure as well as their religious faith that brought them to this shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Cover of a small booklet, which was possibly intended as an advertising giveaway. If so, the extra space in the upper right-hand corner would have been used for printing a company's name or other text.

A selection of Victorian-era calling cards.

"Love crown your way."

"Oh! forget me not, recall the days of yore. Those days I've ne'er forgot, I love thee more and more."

"I think of thee."

"My wish."