Music and Musicians

This rebus puzzle sheet is left over from the time when photocopiers and fax machines were the technologies used to share jokes. This specific version of the sheet dates to December 17, 1998. Although the days of photocopy humor and faxlore are long gone, Rick Archer has attempted to trace the origin of this piece. He first encountered a slightly different version of the Christmas rebus puzzle in 1996, and he has compiled his findings about its history on his Original Christmas Puzzle Web page (he also posted an answer sheet ). See below for the answers to the rebuses on this photocopy: Identify the Christmas Songs from the Pictures - Answers 1. Jingle Bells 2. Walking in a Winter Wonderland 3. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town 4. Joy to the World 5. Up on the House Top 6, O, Come All Ye Faithful 7. I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas 8. What Child Is This? 9. We Three Kings of Orient Are 10. Deck the Halls 11. I Saw Three Ships 12. O Christmas Tree 13. O Holy Night 14. The First Noel 15. The Twelve Days of Christmas 16. Away in a Manger 17. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 18. All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth 19. Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire 20. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear 21. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow 22. Silent Night 23. O Little Town of Bethlehem 24. Silver Bells

"Christmas Greetings, 1962. David, Ricky, Diane, Richard, and Helen Hughes." For another card from the Hughes, see Merry Christmas from the Hughes, 1963 :

An in the choir photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Caption: "The Methodist Church Choir Camp." A real photo postcard addressed to Miss C. V. Blackwell, The Marlborough, East Orange, N.J., and postmarked Princeton, N.J., August 12, 1908. Handwritten message on the other side: "Can you recognize any of the faces? Mabel." A group of women and girls--presumably members of a Methodist church choir on a camping excursion--are gathered around a table under a tent as they pose for the photographer. Mouse over the image above for a closer look at the campers and a better view of the sickle mower in the lower right-hand corner.

A group of female campers who were evidently members of a Methodist church choir. For more information, see the full version of this real photo postcard.

A hatchet is perched at the top of a piece of wood that's leaning against the tree, and a lantern hangs from the upright cutter bar of the horse-drawn sickle mower that's parked in front of the tree. Mouse over the image to see my notes about some of the objects in the photo. For more information, see the full version of this real photo postcard.

"The March, May 1914." A real photo postcard of a May Day march. A couple of guys with drums are leading the way, and a group of children are carrying a maypole rather than dancing around it. For a better view of the maypole marchers, mouse over the image above to see a cropped version .

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

A snapshot of three kids, two with accordions and one with a trumpet. Looks like the smiling boys in front are enjoying themselves, but I'm not sure whether the girl in back is having any fun. Notice the toy cannon that's situated near the edge of the porch on the left and the interesting design of the curtain or whatever it is that's hanging on the inside of the window on the right. See also a close-up of the kids .

Three kids, two with accordions and one with a trumpet. Take a look at the full version of the snapshot .

The last line on this amusing acquaintance card refers to a song, "Any Old Place I Can Hang My Hat Is Home Sweet Home to Me," which was published as sheet music in 1901 and recorded on phonograph cylinder in 1902, making it likely that the card dates from sometime in the early 1900s. For more cards, see my album of Acquaintance Cards . For information about my book of detachable acquaintance cards, head over to my Flickr About page L. M. Arnold, Sand Patch, Pa., R.F.D. No. 1 Let's get acquainted. Capital 50 millions in my dreams. Not married. Stick to me and you will wear diamonds, Kind regards to friends and knockers. Out for a good time. Any old place I hang my hat is my home sweet home.

An early raffle ticket for a chance on a "$25 suit of clothes." It's likely that the "Liberty Band" was the one with that name based in Middletown, Pennsylvania. "This ticket is good for one chance on a $25 suit of clothes to be chanced off by the Liberty Band. Tickets, 5c or 6 for 25c. No. 832."

A concert broadside, circa 1880s. The Famous Swedish Male Quartet in their picturesque national costumes. To-Night The only opportunity to hear these celebrated singers, in their beautiful songs, assisted by Miss Carrie E. Hale, the finest of all lady readers in the country. Miss Vida J. Forrest, accompanist. The opportunity of hearing such a combination of artists is seldom offered. Don't miss it! Secure your seats early! Boston Job Print, Alden Street.

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of gotta dance!—dancing of any type . This is an unused real photo postcard showing a couple dancing outside in the yard with an accordionist providing the music and another fellow watching the proceedings (see the full version of the card, which simply has white space on either side of the image). A number of houses and a water tower are visible in the distance beyond the fence, but there's no name on the tower or any other clues to identify the town. Finally, am I reading too much into things, or could the female dancer actually be a man dressed as a woman? If so, is it possible that the other dancer is a woman dressed as a man?

A photographer captured a scene of outdoor dancing and music making in this real photo postcard. For more information, see the cropped version of this image.

A poster advertising a dance with music provided by Eddie Gilligan and His Cosmopolitan Orchestra, a popular jazz band. The Final Dance of the Clover Club Summer Series Eddie Gilligan and His Cosmopolitan Orchestra In a return engagement. The band that made so decided a hit earlier in the season. Featuring Edward Tracy and Frank Crisman, youthful singing and dancing wonders of vaudeville fame! Hear them at Riverside Park, Danville, Monday, Sept. 14th. Dancing 9 to 1 Ladies, 50c. Gentlemen, 99c.

"Easter Greetings." Compare this postcard with Best Easter Wishes from Mr. and Mrs. Bunny-Chick and Family .

Handwritten message on the back of this real photo postcard (no address or postmark): "My dear Aunt Clara, this post card was taken in Bridgeton on Labor Day. See if you can find me. Clarence." The AZO stamp box on the other side (four corner triangles pointing up) suggests a date as early as 1904 to 1918. Clarence and his marching band probably played in Bridgeton, New Jersey. I took a close look at the uniforms, music sheets, and drumhead but wasn't able to spot any names, insignia, or other details that would help to confirm the location or identify the band.

A ticket or invitation for the "Second Sociable" held by the Marietta Dancing Class in Marietta, Pennsylvania, on February 22, 1887. I haven't been able to locate any information about the dancing class or Samuel B. Gramm 's role as instructor. The date of February 22 suggests that the dance may have been a celebration for George Washington's Birthday . The Marietta Dancing Class S. B. Gramm, instructor, Invite you to attend their Second Sociable, on Tuesday evening, Feb'y 22d, 1887, at the Marietta Rink Music by Taylor's Orchestra.