Album Christmas from Alan Mays

Santa Claus with Boy and Donkey (Full Version)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 04:58:02 +0000

A real photo postcard of a boy sitting on a donkey as he poses with Santa Claus. See also a cropped version of the photo.

Santa Claus with Boy and Donkey

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 04:58:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of holiday happenings — any kind of end-of-year holiday gathering, celebration, or decoration.

A vintage photo of a boy sitting astride a donkey — it's fake (or stuffed?) and mounted on wheels — as he poses for a picture with Santa Claus. Santa's eyes seem to be closed — he must have blinked as the photo was taken.

This is a divided-back real photo postcard with an Azo stamp box design (four corner triangles pointing up) on the other side. This type of stamp box indicates that the photo may date to sometime between 1907 and 1918.

Printed on the other side: "The Fair Studio, Chicago."

See also the full version of the photo.

Dreaming of a Gold Christmas

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 02:53:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of holiday happenings -- any kind of end-of-year holiday gathering, celebration, or decoration.

Gold is the color of the day in this holiday scene that includes a gold Christmas tree, a gold sculpture on the wall, and gold wrapping paper and bows on the some of the presents. Even the carpet has a yellowish-almost-golden hue.

There's no date on the photo. What do you think -- 1960s?

Christmas Kid with Tiger, Monkey, and Humpty Dumpty, 1956 (Cropped)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 03:03:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A kid and his new toys, Christmas 1956. See also the full version of the photo.

Christmas Kid with Tiger, Monkey, and Humpty Dumpty, 1956

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 03:03:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of aww, isn't that cute!

A little boy has a surprised look on his face as he poses in front of the Christmas tree with the new tiger, monkey, and Humpty Dumpty toys he received as gifts in 1956.

See also a cropped version of the snapshot.

Boy with Toy Guitar and TV

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 03:52:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

I chose televisions for the Vintage Photos Theme Park theme of pick your own theme about things—objects, artifacts, or items.

A young boy, who's wearing a robe over pajamas, is playing a toy guitar as he sits on an ottoman. There's a television set on the table behind him, and the walls are covered with the type of knotty pine paneling that was popular in the 1940s and 1950s.

The boy's pajamas and all the Christmas decorations -- a poinsettia on the fireplace, ornaments in a glass bowl on top of the TV, and some more ornaments on the table that's partially visible on the right -- make me wonder if the boy has just received the guitar as a present on Christmas morning.

Christmas Ball Ticket, Kresky's Hotel, Mehoopany, Pa., December 25, 1868

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 04:59:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A ticket for a dance that took place at Kresky's Hotel in Mehoopany, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, on Christmas Day in 1868.

A Christmas Ball

Will Be Given at Kresky's Hotel, in Mehoopany,
Friday, December 25th 1868.

Managers: W. M. Gaylord, W. M. Jennings, F. Maynard, Ira Aumick.

Music:---Vaughn's String Band.

Bill, $3.00

Not So Merry Christmas

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 01:27:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of Christmas in July (why wait until December? post a photo for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, or any other similar holiday celebration).

An undated color snapshot. I guess Santa didn't bring that kid what he wanted!

The Girl Was Smiling But Her Doll Was Not

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 23:45:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of toys or gifts.

A Christmas photo of a girl, who is smiling and seems happy, and her doll, who is rigid and tense -- and seems a little scary!

Before you cautiously back up and quietly exit the house, take note of the metallic Christmas tree, the granny square afghan on the chair, and the girl's striped shirt and Santa pin.

For another potentially scary situation, see The Doll Waited Patiently for Them to Come Home.

A Giant among Santas

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 02:45:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of with Santa.

"Merry Christmas."

Two girls and a man pose for a photo next to a remarkably tall Santa Claus. This real photo postcard has a "Devolite Peerless" stamp box on the other side, and it's likely that it dates to the 1950s.

Working in an Office II, Dec. 24, 1947

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 03:25:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A snapshot of a man in an office. The photo is dated December 24, 1947, and the man has evidently just unwrapped a Christmas present and is examining a necktie that he received as a gift. Another photo of the same man shows him holding a gift box.

Working in an Office, Dec. 24, 1947

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 03:25:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of working in an office.

A snapshot of a man sitting at a desk in an office. The photo is dated December 24, 1947, on the other side, and the clock on the windowsill behind him shows that it's ten minutes before 1:00 p.m. The larger of the two advertising calendars on the wall came from J. R. Kauffman of Shartlesville, Pennsylvania, who sold "A Full Line of Equipment for Every Farmer," including Allis-Chalmers tractors.

The man appears to be holding paperwork or perhaps a book. Could it be an invoice or some sort of business report? Nope, as a second photo reveals, the man is opening Christmas presents, and that's evidently a gift box that he's holding in this photo.

Cowboy Kid Riding a Mustang, Christmas 1969

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 03:17:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of cowboys and/or cowgirls.

In this photo dated "Jan. 70," a young boy is wearing a cowboy hat and holster as he rides "Marvel the Mustang," a Marx toy advertised as "The Real Galloping Horse" (see Marvel the Galloping Mustang on the Virtual Marx Museum for more information).

Notice the TV set with rabbit-ears antenna on the left, the decorated Christmas tree behind the boy, and the boxes stacked on the chair on the right. The boxes include one for a Tonka toy car carrier and another for a "Reflection 3 Pc. Chip 'n' Dip Set."

For a cowgirl with her toy horse, see Riding Toward the Sun: Dale Evans and Buttermilk.

Paper Moon with Finnish Christmas Greeting, 1914

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 04:22:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A young woman posing with a paper moon. The sign in front of her says, "Hauskaa Joulua Ja Onnea Vuodelle, 1914-1915."

Google translation from the Finnish: "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 1914-1915."

This is an unmailed real photo postcard with an Azo stamp box (four corner triangles pointing up) on the other side, which suggests a time frame—1904 to 1918—that matches the holiday season—1914-1915—indicated on the sign in the photo.

Cozy Christmas Couple

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 21:15:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of cozy and warm on a winter's day.

An undated Christmastime snapshot of an obviously cozy couple. Probably warm, too.

Calling to Wish You a Merry Christmas

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 04:57:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of telephones.

"Merry Christmas. Sophie, Grant, and Kurt Stetzler."

A photographic Christmas card dating to the late 1950s.

Clear the Track for Merry Christmas!

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 16:48:10 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Clear the track for Merry Christmas. HBG."

A Christmas postcard illustrated by H. B. Griggs (HBG).

Addressed on the other side to Mr. Paul Cadwallader, Sharonville, Ohio, R.R., and postmarked in Cozaddale, Ohio, on Dec. 16, 1910.

Handwritten message: "Hello Old Boy. How are you? Why don't you write. Have been very busy with my entertainment and did not have time. HRB."

A Merry Christmas—Let Every Heart in Christmas Customs Bear Its Part

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 16:49:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A small Victorian-era Christmas card featuring a fairy and flowers.

The verse on the card appears in J. S. Ogilvie, compiler, The Album Writer's Friend: Comprising More Than Three Hundred Choice Selections of Poetry and Prose, Suitable for Writing in Autograph Albums, Valentines, Birthday, Christmas, and New Year Cards (1881), p. 60.

A Merry Christmas

Christmas comes, let every heart
In Christmas customs bear its part:
The old be young, the sad be gay
And smiles chase every care away.

Christmas Greeting, Edward Ridley & Sons Department Store, New York City, 1880

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 16:45:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Edward Ridley & Sons, a New York City department store, printed this trade card for customers during the holiday season in 1880, and the store also took out newspaper ads to offer its "annual greeting."

The other side of the trade card is a wintertime illustration of a little girl holding some toys as she stands in the snow. This side (above) features the store's Christmas greeting:

32nd Annual Greeting

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Toys, Dolls, and Holiday Presents.

Edw. Ridley & Sons

309, 311, 311½ Grand St.
59 Orchard St.
58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 Allen St.

New York

The following excerpt from the store's advertisement in the New York Herald on December 5, 1880, provides additional details about its holiday sales:

Thirty-second Annual Greeting

Santa Claus' New Building. Opening Monday, December 6.

First Floor—Endless variety toys, dolls, hobby horses. Also china, glass ware, &c.

Second Floor--Work boxes, writing desks, Japanese varieties, &c., &c.

Tuesday, December 7. Third Floor—Dolls, dolls, dolls. And everything belonging to a doll.

Fourth Floor—Wednesday, December 8. Will contain toys of the very finest description….

Our new building gives 23,000 square feet. All devoted to toys. Come and see the toys and our methods.

Worsted embroideries, slipper patterns, brackets, &c. Photo and auto[graph] albums, in plush, Russia[n] leather and French calf bindings.

Handsome jewel and combination cases, pocketbooks, cigar cases, &c.

Prices below every other house—we warrant.

Girl with Toys in Snow—Christmas Trade Card for Edward Ridley & Sons, 1880

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 16:45:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

This is the front of a Victorian-era trade card advertising a New York store (for the other side, see Christmas Greeting, Edward Ridley & Sons Department Store, New York City, 1880).

I'm not sure why this wide-eyed little girl is taking all those toys with her out into the snow. She's dressed for the winter weather, however, and is even holding her hands—and her doll—in a muff to keep them warm.