Album April Fools and Fish from Alan Mays

April Fool, Ha Ha!

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 05:25:20 +0000

"April Fool. Ha ha."

A nineteenth-century calling card printed on marbled paper that has faded over time.

Instead of a typical calling card with a name printed on it, some Victorian-era prankster handed out this card as an April Fools' Day joke.

For another Victorian calling card printed on marbled paper, see Marian Reynolds.

April 1st—The Sweetest Kiss

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 14:00:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"1er Avril. Le baiser le plus doux est celui qui vient de loin!"

Google translation: April 1st. The sweetest kiss is the one that comes from far away!

A French hand-tinted real photo postcard for the first day in April.

Something Fishy This Way Comes

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 03:58:10 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A French real photo postcard for April Fools' Day, called poissons d'avril (April fish) in France. There's no postmark on this hand-tinted card, but it likely dates to the early twentieth century.

"1er Avril. Si tu devines que l'envoie, / Tu n'es pas la moitié d'une oie!"

Fish for April 1st (Poisson d’Avril)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 18:50:49 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"1er Avril [April 1st]."

A-tisket, a-tasket, that's a lot of fish in one basket!

A French hand-tinted real photo postcard commemorating the first day of the fourth month.

Girl and Dog with Fish (Poisson d’Avril)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 20:21:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"1er Avril. Souvenir d'une amie." Handwritten on the back: "Devinez qui vous aime."

"April 1st. Remembering a friend." Handwritten: "Guess who loves you."

A French hand-tinted real photo postcard commemorating the initial day in the month of April.

Poissons d'Avril

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 14:52:12 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Poissons d'avril (April fish).

A French real photo postcard for April Fools' Day, called poissons d'avril (April fish) in France. This hand-tinted card was postmarked on March 30, 1908.

Recevez mes vœux de Bonheur

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 14:52:14 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Devinez qui? Devinez quoi?
Je pense a vous; pense à moi!
Avec ce poisson et ces fleurs
Recevez mes vœux de Bonheur.

Google translation:

Guess who? Guess what?
I think of you; think of me!
With this fish and the flowers
Receive my wishes for happiness.

A French real photo April Fools' Day postcard, circa 1900s or 1910s.

Je vous l'offre de bout cœur

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 14:52:16 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Je vous l'offre de bout cœur."

Translated as: "I offer you this with all my heart." [Thanks to John FitzGerald for the translation.]

A French real photo April Fools' Day postcard from 1912.

A Fine Basket of Fish for the First of April

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 16:30:53 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A French April Fools' Day real photo postcard.

As Wikipedia's April Fools' Day article explains, "In Italy, France, and Belgium, children and adults traditionally tack paper fishes on each other's back as a trick and shout 'April fish!' in their local languages (pesce d'aprile!, poisson d'avril!, and aprilvis! in Italian, French, and Dutch, respectively). Such fish feature prominently on many French late 19th to early 20th century April Fools' Day postcards."

1er Avril Le port est payé d'un baiser

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 14:52:18 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

1er Avril
Le port est payé d'un baiser
Vous n'allez les refuser.

Possibly translated as:

April 1st
The shipping is paid with a kiss
You will not refuse it.

A French real photo April Fools' Day postcard dated 1926.

1er Avril

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 14:52:20 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"1er Avril" (April 1st.).

A French real photo postcard for April Fools' Day, called poissons d'avril (April fish) in France. This hand-tinted card was postmarked on March 31, 1910.

Small Girls with a Large Fish (Poisson d’Avril)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 19:02:36 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"1er Avril. L'amitié vous l'envoie."

A hand-tinted French real photo postcard for the first day in April.

1er Avril Devinez-qui?

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 14:52:10 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

1er Avril. Tout mon Coeur. Devinez-qui?

Google translation: April 1st. All my heart. Guess who?

A French April Fools' Day postcard.

Bonheur d'Avril

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 16:30:51 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Bonheur d'Avril
Confident des coeurs amoureux
Ce beau poisson porte mes voeux.

Rough translation from Google:

Happiness of April
Confident of loving hearts
This beautiful fish carries my wishes.

Nobody Can April-Fool Me

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 14:00:06 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Nobody can April-Fool me. I am a fool. Bernhardt Wall. Copyright 1909 The Ullman Mfg. Co. N.Y."

Printed on the other side of this postcard: "American Post Card. 'April Fool' Series No. 156. Subject No. 2490."

This foolish fellow didn't fall victim to the Brick in a Hat trick, but he is wearing a "I am a fool" sign.

For a similar April Fools' Day postcard, see They Can't April-Fool Us, Eh?

They Can't April-Fool Us, Eh?

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 17:35:26 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Dear Sir, I Have a Peculiar Affliction—After Drinking Champagne, I Sing, Dance, and Spout Poetry

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 14:00:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

For similar April Fools' Day postcards, see Dear Sir, We Have This Day Doubled Your Salary, The Boss and Dear Sir, I Have Sent You Several Boxes of Cigars.

April 1st

Dear Sir,

Pardon this intrusion, but as you seemed to scared to speak, or write, I took the liberty. Before proceeding farther I must tell you that I have a peculiar affliction. After drinking a few quarts of champagne, I sing, dance, and spout poetry. As my temperament is to love and be loved, I cannot resist the impulse, and don't!

Understand, I am a perfect lady always, one who loves her home, but "Oh you kid." So just press the button, and I will do the rest.

Yours bubbling over with love.

Mazie D.

Dear Sir, I Have Sent You Several Boxes of Cigars

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 17:35:28 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Dear Sir, I have sent you by express, prepaid, several sample boxes of my 15, 10, and 25 cent cigars. You will also find matches and a cutter in the package. Should they please you, just drop us a postal and we will send you more samples. Your obliging servant, A. Stogie, Cigar Maker. April 1st"

Dear Sir, We Have This Day Doubled Your Salary, The Boss

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 17:35:30 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Dear Sir, In recognition of your valuable and efficient services, we have this day doubled your salary and reduced your working time two hours. You will also find enclosed several shares in the business which we take pleasure in presenting you. Yours truly, The Boss. April 1st."

Postmarked April 1, 1910.

Remember It's April Fool!

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 17:35:32 +0000

Alan Mays has posted: