Album Flights of Fancy from Alan Mays

Flying High over Yarmouth

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 01:11:02 +0000

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of Watch the skies! -- UFOs, airplanes, birds, clouds, or anything else that might be up there.

The hard-to-read handwritten note on the other side of this divided-back, real photo postcard says, "Rose sitting, [Lill?] Jennings standing, ... and myself at Yarmouth."

The Yarmouth location and the roundels on the wings of the airplane suggest that this is a souvenir photo from England. But what's the meaning of "O.K" and "R.U." on the fuselage? And was there actually a three-seater biplane that looked something like this?

Seeing Portland by Air

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 20 May 2024 03:58:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

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

Photographer Cal Calvert (1875-1930) created an elaborate mockup of an airplane for customers at his studio in Portland, Oregon. In this example of a real photo postcard by Calvert, a man, two women, and three children are pretending to fly over the city of Portland. Mount Hood is visible in the background. The style of Cyko stamp box on the other side dates the card to sometime between 1904 and the 1920s.

Banner on the front of the airplane: "The Rose City." Sign on the rudder at the back of the plane: "Seeing Portland."

Printed on the other side of the postcard: "Cal Calvert, 10 Minute Postcard Man. City Park Gallery at the Washington St. Entrance, Portland, Oregon. Mazeograph Process."

Handwritten note on the other side: "We had this taken for the children's sake. They are in the Catholic School now. Everything was settled May 2nd."

For more examples of Calvert's photography, see Cal Calvert and His Airplane.

A Happy New Year in the Sky and on the Sea

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 03:33:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A nineteenth-century New Year calling card with a fanciful illustration.

In the sky, a man is holding the reins connected to a pair of large birds who are pulling the airship that he and a female passenger are riding in. The initials "A.H.N.Y." on the airship's balloon stand for "A Happy New Year."

Down below, a sailor on a ship is waving his hat as he hangs on to a mast next to a large banner that also displays a greeting for "A Happy New Year."

Foursome Flying over Long Beach, California, 1914 (Cropped)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 04:55:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Four flyers pose in an early biplane in Long Beach, California. For more information, see the full version of this real photo postcard.

Foursome Flying over Long Beach, California, 1914

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 04:55:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of pick a particular format (daguerreotype, cabinet card, CDV, real photo postcard, cyanotype, slide, Polaroid, or what have you?) .

Handwritten caption: "Betty -- J.G.R. -- Louise -- Harry. Venice -- 1914."

This is a real photo postcard showing two couples -- Betty and J.G.R. along with Louise and Harry -- pretending to ride in an early biplane (see a cropped version of the photo for a better view of the foursome). The design of the Noko stamp box on the other side of the card indicates a date range of 1907 to 1929, which corresponds to the handwritten year of 1914 on the front.

Although the caption indicates the location as "Venice," the structure pictured below the biplane was the pier in Long Beach -- not Venice -- California. The photo, of course, is a montage composed of a studio photo of the plane and its flyers along with the addition of a separate image of the pier.

For a similar shot of an early plane, see Buzzing the Beach in a Biplane, Los Angeles, Calif.

For an interesting discussion of the captions and messages on other real photo postcards, see Kenneth Wilson, Snapshots and Short Notes: Images and Messages of Early Twentieth-Century Photo Postcards (University of North Texas Press, 2020).

Flying Saucers, Sears, and von Rottenspotten (Cropped)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 15:46:38 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A puzzling Polaroid photo. For more information, see the full version of this photo.

Flying Saucers, Sears, and von Rottenspotten

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 15:46:40 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the monthly topic of slides and color photos.

In this puzzling scene from a Polaroid photo, a man is speaking from a podium as a woman stands nearby. On the front of the podium is a sign for "Sears" (surely not the department store -- could it be a name or acronym?) and a drawing of what looks like three biplanes that's labeled "Shoot down von Rottenspotten." On the table next to the podium is a wrapped gift or rolled-up certificate secured by a red ribbon. Is the man presenting the woman with some sort of award?

The image on the wall behind the woman makes me wonder what kind of award she might be receiving. It shows a flying saucer leaving earth for a destination somewhere in the field of stars painted on the wall.

The numerical code printed on the back of this Polaroid indicates a manufacturing date of December 1978. Could the drawing on the wall be a logo for some kind of UFO group that held a meeting in 1979? But then where do "Sears" and "von Rottenspotten" fit in?

See a cropped version of the photo for a closer look at the proceedings.

We Don't Care If We Never Go Back, Indianapolis, Ind.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 25 May 2020 03:55:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of my old pal—depicting friends, buddies, pals enjoying each other's company.

Sign: "We don't care if we never go back." Banner: "Indianapolis."

An unused real photo postcard of two friends pretending to be in a hot air balloon as they pose for a souvenir photo in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Noko stamp box on the other side suggests that it may date between 1907 and 1929. I have other cards with photos of the fellow on the left that were postmarked in 1911.

See also I Don't Care If I Never Come Back.

Off to Europe in 1911—Are You Coming with Us?

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 04:07:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

An advertising postcard addressed on the other side to Mr. Wm. P. Breen, Fort Wayne, Ind., and postmarked New Haven, Conn., June 8, 1911.

Off to Europe

Visiting Ireland, England, Scotland, Belgium, France, Germany Switzerland.

Are you coming with us? We must know soon.

Party sails from New York, July 8. 'Phone, wire, or write for reservations. A few choice berths left.

Columbus Travel Society, New York office, 2075 Metropolitan Building. Gramercy 3438.

Prof. J. C. Monaghan, pres. Mrs. B. Ellen Burke, sec'y. D. P. Toomey, treas.

Happy New Year Airship

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 04:46:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

An early twentieth-century postcard depicting a couple aloft in an airship as they celebrate the new year by scattering gold coins and red hearts across the countryside.

Flying High in Pittsburgh

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 13 May 2019 02:51:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A flying photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

Printed on the back of this real photo postcard: "The Colonial Studio, 137 Sixth St., Pittsburgh, Pa., U.S.A."

Santa Claus Delivering Simplex Typewriters, 1911

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 21:42:01 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

To deliver toy Simplex Typewriters in 1911, Santa Claus left his sleigh and reindeer at the North Pole and somehow constructed an airplane out of a Christmas tree. Or at least that's what this advertising postcard from the Watt & Shand department store in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, would have us believe.

For other early Simplex Typewriter advertisements featuring Santa, see:

• Santa's Simplex Typewriters, 1905
• Dear Santa, I Want the 1905 Simplex Typewriter
• Santa's Favorite Simplex Typewriters, 1908
• Simplex Typewriters, Santa's Favorite, 1908

Your Boy, Your Girl Should Have a 1911 Simplex Typewriter.

Christmas presents, $1. $2, $3.

No. 1, Note size, has all the capitals, figures, and necessary marks for punctuation, $1.00.

No. 2, Note size with capitals small letters, figures, and necessary marks for punctuation, $2.00.

No. 3, Full size, has all the characters of standard typewriters, $3.00.

Larger, better than ever.

Remodeled. Finer machines.

More characters. They do better work. More room for the fingers. Easier to operate.

With greetings from Watt & Shand, Lancaster, Pa.

John Kelly's Fine Shoes, Rochester, N.Y.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 18:55:52 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"John Kelly's Fine Shoes, Rochester, N.Y."

Rubberstamped on the other side of this Victorian-era trade card: "John E. Brown, No. 46 E. State St., Ithaca, N.Y."

Perhaps this was a nineteenth-century prototype for Amazon's drone delivery. 8-)

Behind the Flying Saucers

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 18 May 2017 16:46:34 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Behind the Flying Saucers. Frank Scully. The book everyone is talking about. Popular Library. Earle Bergey."

Earle K. Bergey's wonderfully frightening cover illustration of saucers in the sky and panic in the streets certainly helped to make this "the book everyone is talking about" when it appeared in 1950. But author Frank Scully's account of flying saucer crashes and dead extraterrestrials in Arizona and New Mexico was probably enough to get people talking even without the cover.

Scully wasn't the only one writing about such scary topics in 1950. Author Donald Keyhoe also argued that The Flying Saucers Are Real:

The Flying Saucers Are Real

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 18 May 2017 16:46:32 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"The Flying Saucers Are Real. Donald Keyhoe. True story behind the strangest phenomena in history! Gold Medal Book. 107. Frank Tinsley '50."

The Flying Saucers Are Real, written by Donald Keyhoe, first appeared in 1950. Frank Tinsley's dramatic cover illustration helped to convey the startling news that flying saucers (or UFOs aka unidentified flying objects) are actually extraterrestrial spacecraft.

For another book from 1950 on the same topic, see Behind the Flying Saucers:

Astro Bow—Get in Orbit and Go Go Go!

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 10 May 2017 18:01:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Astro Bow. Get in orbit. Go-go-go. 39¢. Buser Century, Inc."

A black velvet hair bow shaped like a space capsule!

"Get in Orbit" and "Go Go Go" with "Astro Bow" is what the printed card is telling us. What Space Age gal could resist something like this?

Bloomsburg Flying Club Membership Card, ca. 1930s

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 17:49:38 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A membership card for a flying club in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. It's likely that the card dates to the 1930s.

Bloomsburg Flying Club

Bloomsburg, Penna. No. 60.

This is to certify that ________ is a member in good standing ________.

Not valid unless countersigned.

________, president. ________, secretary. ________, signature of member.

Charles K. Hamilton Flying at the Cameron County Fair, Emporium, Pa., Sept. 14, 1911 (Detail)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 04:17:12 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A detail from a real photo postcard showing daredevil aviator Charles K. Hamilton flying above the trees in his Curtiss biplane in 1911. For more information, see the full version of the photo:

Charles K. Hamilton Flying at the Cameron County Fair, Emporium, Pa., Sept. 14, 1911

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 04:17:14 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Chas. K. Hamilton Flying at Cameron Co. Fair, Emporium, Pa., Sept. 14, 1911."

A real photo postcard addressed to Anneada B. Secrist, Rebersburg, Pa., and postmarked Emporium, Pa., Oct. 2, 1911.

Message: "Dear Anneada, Am waiting for a letter from you and very busy but am going to write you a letter if you don't soon write. Have not heard from May in two months. Lovingly, Ophelia."

According to Wikipedia, Charles K. Hamilton was "an American pioneer aviator nicknamed the 'crazy man of the air. He was, in the words of the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission, 'known for his dangerous dives, spectacular crashes, extensive reconstructive surgeries, and ever present cigarette' and was 'frequently drunk.' He survived over 60 crashes."

Oh, in case you didn't notice the daredevil aviator in his Curtiss biplane, mouse over the image above to reveal the tiny silhouette of the man and his plane above the trees near the center of the photo.

Am on a Flying Trip

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 20:27:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Am on a flying trip. Will see you soon, G.S."