Tickets and Passes

"Meal ticket, the Lee House. This ticket must be presented to waiter at each meal. Guests cannot secure meal without presenting this ticket. Good only to person issued. Name: Kuntz. Room no.: [200?]. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner."

"Skidoo. This is not a one way ticket to heaven. Return same to Bedford Roll-Arena, one mile north of Bedford, Pa." Lou Brooks, in his terrific book, Skate Crazy: Amazing Graphics from the Golden Age of Roller Skating , pp. 42-43, shows illustrations of similar cards and explains, "The dreaded 'Scram' and 'Skidoo' card! Just like at any party, the hosts liked to keep things at the rink moving with interesting games, often turning the rink into somewhat of a social laboratory. Floor ushers, acting out their version of traffic cop, would slip these cards to unsuspecting couples, urging them to skate the second half of the dance with someone they had never met." I'm not sure, however, if this card was used in the same manner, and I'm not certain what to make of the "This is not a one way ticket to heaven" warning.

"Risbon Roller Rink, Cypher Beach, Hopewell, Pa., R.R No. 2. Good only on date sold. Admit one, est. price .29, fed. tax. .06. 35 cents. 018948. 018949."

"The Divine Odalisque, Omene! Original Turkish dancer. Bijou Theatre, week August 27." A small ticket (or perhaps just part of an advertising card on heavier paper stock) for a performance by Omene the Divine Odalisque, an "original Turkish dancer," who appeared at an otherwise unidentified Bijou Theatre during the week of August 27 in an unknown year (see below, however, for a newspaper article that may reveal the location of the theater and the year Omene was there). The Odalisque When I first purchased this ticket a few years ago, I looked up the definition of " odalisque ," which Wikipedia describes as "a concubine in a Turkish harem." A writer discussing Omene in 1891, however, chose to provide a more oblique explanation of odalisque for newspaper readers: "You don't know what an odalisque is? Well, I might have expected it, but it is very embarrassing, nevertheless. It places me in a most awkward predicament. My duty, however, shall be done. I will tell you as mildly and gracefully as I can. An odalisque is a Turkish harem beauty, who wears very unconventional clothes and beatific smiles--with more of the latter than the former." (Alan Dale, " Askin and the Odalisque ," Evening World [New York], June 23, 1891, p. 3.) The Belly Dancer Although the meaning of odalisque was easy to track down, it was only recently that I was able to uncover much information regarding Omene herself. Rebekah Burgess Abramovich, who authored an article that appeared on a Metropolitan Museum of Art blog, summarizes the dancer's career this way: "Now entirely forgotten in the history of dance and entertainment, Omene achieved an incredible level of celebrity in the national press of the 1890s as an early practitioner of belly dancing on the American stage. She was best known, however, for inciting scandal." ( Forgotten Scandal: Omene, the Suicide Club, and Celebrity Culture in 19th-Century America , posted May 4, 2016.) Omene's belly dancing became so popular that she was featured on cigarette cards (see the 13 cards that Abramovich discusses in her article ) and sheet music covers (see the one for Omene Turkish Waltzes , which was "Dedicated to the Divine Turkish Odalisque"). Who Was She? Newspapers described Omene's scandalous dances and told about her romantic encounters and turbulent life, which supposedly ended in 1899 when she died from cancer (see, for instance, " Her Dance Is Ended: Omene, the Divine Odalisque, Breathes Her Last ," Spokane Daily Chronicle , April 27, 1899, p. 6). Abramovich's article points out, however, that Omene's claim that she was born in Turkey and other details about her life (and maybe even her death) were probably embellishments designed to promote her stage performances. It's not even clear what her real name was! But back to the ticket. After some more searching, I did locate a newspaper article (see below) that seems to match the details on the ticket. It announces an appearance by Omene on August 27, 1894 (same month and day on the ticket) at the Bijou Theatre (same venue name) in Reading, Pennsylvania (a city located in the same south-central area of the state where I purchased the ticket). Most of the article is an unattributed "eyewitness" account of Omene's dance. "Omene" at the Bijou Theatre The season at the Bijou Theatre will be opened on Monday afternoon, Aug. 27, with one of the greatest and costliest attractions that has ever appeared at this popular resort--"Omene" the wonderful dancer. An eye witness has described her performance as follows: "Beautiful, graceful, dazzling, fascinating, with the perfect form of a Venus, and all the tempting symmetry and velvety softness of the oriental beauty. Omene, the Circassian belle, has taken high rank as a danseuse and has scored the hit of her life in N.Y. She is described as 'the divine adalisque,' whose handsome face, matchless charms, and winning grace have made slaves of thousands. "Omene is a native of Stamboul [Istanbul]. She is the only Turkish danseuse now before the public. She executes the sensational dances of her native land with abandon and grace. It is the dance of the Turkish harem that Omene excels. This she accurately reproduces, even down to the costumes and scenery. She appears in a gorgeous costume that fairly dazzles the spectator, and brings to mind the highly colored pictures of the radiant east. "The scene reveals her with veiled face and jaunty fez, wrapped up in a long robe of gold, red, and black. She is attended by Eunochs, who suddenly take one garment after the other from her, even removing her sandals, leaving her entirely free for the dance. Omene enraptures every spectator on the stage [with] seductive dances of the harem and the wild voluptuous dances of her native land. Her whole appearance is an illustration of grace." (From the " Amusements " column, Reading Eagle [Reading, Pa.], Aug. 26, 1894, p. 2.)

Lecture Course, under the auspices of the Class of '84, Muhlenberg College. To be held in the College Chapel. Lectures to begin at 8 p.m. Jan. 21st.--Rev. Prof. M. H. Richards, "A Theatrical Part." Jan. 28th.--Rev. E. E. Higbee, D.D., "Classical Studies." Feb. 4th.--Rev. S. G. Wagner, D.D., "The Young Man of the Period." Feb. 11th.--Rev. J. J. Fry, D.D., "Wanted--A Man." Feb. 15th.--Rev. Prof. F. A. Muhlenberg, D.D., "Rhodes." Ex-Gov. A. G. Curtin (Date and subject to be announced later). Season tickets, $1.00. Ex-Gov. A. G. Curtin.

The Berks and Dauphin Turnpike Road Company was in existence from 1805 to about 1917 and collected tolls along a road that extended from Berks County through Lebanon County and into Dauphin County in Pennsylvania. The punches on this ticket indicate that it cost 5 cents for a trip in Lebanon County between Annville (or Sporting Hill?) and Sunny Side, a distance of 3 (or 2¼?) miles. Berks & Dauphin Turnpike Road Co. Dimes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0. Rates For 1 horse and carriage - 1½ cts. per mile For 2 horses and carriage - 2½ cts. per mile For 1 horse and sleigh - .75 cts. per mile For 1 horse rode or led - ½ cts. per mile For 1 horse and sulky - 1 cts. per mile For 1 wagon per horse - 1 cts. per mile For bicycle - ½ cts. per mile From Junction - Mls. to P. & R. Crossing - 1 to Swatara Station - 1¾ to Palmyra - 5 to Kreider's Mill - 9¼ to Annville - 10¼ to Sporting Hill - 11 to Cleona - 12 to Stony Side - 13 to Lebanon - 15¼ to Wernersville - 34¼ to Robesonia - 31¼ to Womelsdorf - 28¼ to Waterloo - 26½ to Stouchsburg - 26 to Owl Creek - 22¾ to Myerstown - 21¾ to West Myerstown - 21¼ to Half-way - 19¼ to Narrows - 18¼ to Avon - 17¼ Cents - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0. For a similar item, see Lancaster, Elizabethtown, and Middletown Turnpike Company Ticket .

"Ghost Party, Saturday evening, October 23rd, at 9:00 o'clock, Harmony Maennerchor, 204 Lancaster Avenue. Admit one ghost, $1.50." See also Ghost Party Ticket, Reading, Pa. , on Fonts In Use for Florian Hardwig's discussion of the typefaces (Metropolis Light, Stylescript, Goudy Oldstyle, and Bernhard Gothic) used on this card.

"Grand Social Banquet at the Central House, City of Nashua, N.H., on Thursday, March 15, 1860. Cards of admission, two dollars. Tickets, $2.00. 18155."

"Electric Factory presents Cars, 8:00 pm. Mon., Nov. 24, 1980, at the Spectrum. No cameras / recorders. No refunds / exchanges. Ticketron. Admit one - subject to the conditions on the back hereof. Seat 5, row-box 7, sec. 103, loc. 10 flor." Ticket for The Cars with special guest The Romantics at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pa., on November 24, 1980.

"Adirondack Steamboat Co. Pass E. D. Bennett, G. Supt., Bennington & Rutland Railway, until December 31st, 1897, unless otherwise ordered. George Sweet, president. No. 1932. American Bank Note Co., N.Y."

A postcard with an undivided back (only an address was allowed on the back of this type of early postcard--no message). There's no stamp or postmark, but it's addressed to: "Mr. & Mrs. M. A. Rice, Montclair, New Jersey." The stamp box on the back of the postcard ("Place postage stamp here. Domestic, one cent. Foreign, two cents.") is overwritten with the words, "Mervyn Pony Post," meaning, I assume, that Mervyn received it in person from Eva and Billy. Mervyn then presumably carried it home to show the New Year greeting on the front (a parody of a railroad passenger ticket decorated in red and green colors with Christmas holly leaves and berries) to his wife Nellie and the rest of the Rice family. General Railroad of Time, 1906-1907 Three Hundred & Sixty Five Trip Family Ticket This ticket officially stamped and dated will entitle Nellie & Mervyn and family to one continuous happy and prosperous passage through life from January 1st, 1906, to January 1st, 1907, and may be renewed for as long a period thereafter as they may desire, without further notice. 365. Signed and sealed by Eva & Billy. Father Time, General Passenger Agent. Copyright 1905 by William Joseph Burkhardt, 206 Ocean Avenue, Jersey City, N.J.

"Miniature Railway for the Kiddies, Willow Grove Park. Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co. 07694625. One 6¼¢ fare. G. W. Davis, treasurer." Handwritten: "1924." From the Street Railway Review , Feb. 16, 1906, p. 66: " Willow Grove Park is owned by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co. [which later became the Philadelphia Transportation Company ]. It is situated in Montgomery county, 13 miles from the center of Philadelphia, and is the terminus of six direct car lines, making it easy of access from all points in and about the city. It covers an area of more than 100 acres containing many natural and artificial beauties."

"Cornwall Railroad. 1895. Good during current year. Unless otherwise ordered. Pass: Howard Boyd, secy. & treas., Phila., Newtown, & New York R.R. Wm. C. Freeman, president. No. 193. Hosford & Sons, N.Y." Printed on the back: "This pass is not transferable, and the person accepting and using it thereby assumes all risk of accident and damage to person or baggage."

"Clark's Ferry Bridge Co. Good for one passage across Clark's Ferry Bridge with passenger automobile, seating capacity not over seven persons. Without trailer. Christian W. Lynch, president. F204762, F204763, F204764." As Wikipedia explains, "The Clark's Ferry Bridge carries U.S. Routes 22 and 322 across the Susquehanna River near Duncannon, Pennsylvania about 20 miles north of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ." The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the Clark's Ferry Bridge in the 1940s and eventually discontinued tolls. The bridge was completely rebuilt in the 1980s.

Despite its discoloration, this small novelty ticket for the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad (1861-1907) is notable for its use of rebuses (see my translations of the pictures, numbers, and letters below) to indicate the children's fares and to request that passengers keep their feet off the seats. The back of the ticket (see below) indicates that this was a "Through Check." On railways where they're still used today, through checks are more commonly called seat checks. As I understand it, a conductor typically first inspects a passenger's train ticket, marks the destination on a seat check, and then places the check on or above the passenger's seat. This allows the conductor to keep track of passengers and which stops they need to get off at. Apparently, T. E. Metzgar was the only conductor who used a seat check like this, since it specifies on the back, "Good for this day and train only. With any other conductor it is useless." My best guess, then, is that Metzgar had these printed himself and may have used them on special occasions or perhaps just for children. Has anyone else seen anything similar? Philadelphia & Erie R.R. Rebus: "Key-P UR Boots & Shoes off the Seats." Translation: "Keep your boots and shoes off the seats." T. E. Metzgar, conductor. Rebus: "5 Children Free." Translation: "Children under 5, free." Rebus: "12 Children 5 Half Fare" Translation: "Children over 5 and under 12, half fare."

The back of a small novelty ticket (or, more specifically, a "through check" or "seat check") used by T. E. Metzgar, who was a conductor on the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad . For more information, see the front of the ticket (below). Through Check - Erie to . . . Langdon's - 9.0 Waterford - 18.5 Union - 26.2 Corry - 37.0 Spring Creek - 44.0 Garland - 50.0 Irvineton - 59.7 Warren - 65.5 Sheffield - 78.8 Ludlow - 85.4 Kane - 94.5 Wilcox - 103.7 Johnsonburg - 110.1 Ridgway - 118.2 St. Mary's - 128.3 Rathbun - 137.5 Emporium - 149.1 Cameron - 155.0 Sterling - 158.6 Driftwood - 167.6 Round Island - 177.8 Keating - 182.7 Westport - 189.3 Renovo - 195.2 Lock Haven - 222 Williamsport - 248 Sunbury - 288 Harrisburg - 344 Philadelphia - 449 Baltimore - 426 New York - 443 Good for this day and train only. With any other conductor it is useless. If you wish to stop over, notify the conductor.

"World Trade Center Observation Deck, group, adult."

"Empire State Observatories. Souvenir of visit to the most famous building in the world. 2886039."