Album Type and Lettering from Alan Mays

Opening Party Ticket, Fox's Hall, South Worcester, N.Y., December 15, 1887

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 10 May 2026 05:19:57 +0000

A Victorian-era ticket with a unique border and striking typefaces.

Typefaces: Bank-Note Italic Ornamented, 1875 ("Opening Party") , Mystic, 1882 (“Fox's Hall, South Worcester, N.Y.”).

Thanks to Florian Hardwig for identifying the typefaces.

Opening Party at Fox's Hall, South Worcester, N.Y.

Thursday Evening, Dec. 15, 1887
Music by Belcher's Full Band.

Yourself and lady are respectively invited.

Bill $1.50.

J. D. Beard, Manager. E. Fox, Prop'r.

S. W. Solenberger, Proprietor of the Guilford Herd of Short-Horn Cattle, Chambersburg, Pa.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 02:50:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

S. W. Solenberger, the name printed on this nineteenth-century business card, is listed as Solomon Wingert Sollenberger (1838-1906) on Find a Grave (note the extra "l" in the last name).

Solenberger's farm was located in Guilford Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and he used the township's name for his herd of Shorthorn cattle.

S. W. Solenberger

Proprietor of Guilford Herd of Short-Horns.
Breeder of Thorough-bred Red Short-Horn Cattle.

Chambersburg, Franklin County, Penna.

"Red Rose."

[HBT?] L.L.S.Journal
Chicago

Ice Cream Ticket, F. W. Fraley, August 19, 1916

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 03:24:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

An ice cream ticket used by Frank W. Fraley, who ran a general store in Catoctin Furnace, Maryland.

For similar tickets, see Ice Cream, Clifford Sutton, 5¢ and Ice Cream, 5 Cents.

Typefaces: Engravers Roman ("Ice Cream Ticket"), Copperplate Gothic ("August 19, 1916," "F. W. Fraley").

Thanks to Florian Hardwig for identifying the typefaces.

10c Ice Cream Ticket
August 19, 1916
F. W. Fraley

Grand Spelling Bee, Fair View School, Mechanicsville, Pa., March 24, 1906

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 03:09:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Katharine Hostetter Kauffman, later known as Katharine “Katie” Kauffman Herr (1886-1986), was the teacher who organized the spelling bee advertised on this handbill.

For a similar item from a later event, see Spelling Bee, Terre Hill, Pa., April 3, 1925.

Come One! Come All! To a Grand "Spelling Bee"

To Be Held at the
Fair View School
Near Mechanicsville
along Manheim Trolley Road

Saturday Eve., March 24, '06

Classes are as follows:
Class I. Open to Pupils of 11 years and under.
Class II. Open to all Public School Children.
Class III. Arithmetical Contest, open to all.
Class IV. General Information, open to all.

16 Valuable Prizes to be Distributed
The Program will consist of Music, Phonograph and School Recitations and Dialogues

General Admission - 10 Cts.
Proceeds to be used for the School Library.

Doors Open at 7 o'clock. Exercises begin at 7:30 o'clock.

Katharine H. Kauffman, Teacher.

Should the weather prove too unfavorable the Bee will be held the first fair evening following Monday.

L. B. Herr Print, 51-53 N. Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.

Geo. W. Kissinger, Flour, Feed, and Potatoes, Reading, Pennsylvania

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 03:18:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A small Victorian-era trade card for George W Kissinger (1855-1935), a merchant in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Geo. W. Kissinger,

Flour, Feed & Potatoes,
No. 929 Penn St., Reading, Pa.

Bufford

Flash

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 17:09:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of steps, stairs, staircases.

This is a real photo postcard of young women standing on the steps leading up to the entrance of a building. They're wearing uniforms with scarves or neckerchiefs, and the banner they're holding simply says, "Flash." In the corners of the banner are what seem to be drawings of stylized top hats. Peeking out from below the banner are two pairs of what might be athletic shoes.

Although someone over on Flickr amusingly suggested that this might be an early example of a flash mob, I suspect that these young women belonged to a club or sports team at a high school or college. But I'm not sure what "Flash" meant to them or why the top hats -- if that's what they are -- appear on the banner.

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."

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

Gough's Lecture Ticket, Seamen's Friend Society, May 4, 1865

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 04:59:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

John B. Gough (1817-1886) was a "United States temperance orator," meaning that he lectured about the evils of alcohol. For a brief discussion of his career, see John B. Gough (1817-1886): The Temperance Orator as Revivalist.

I haven't been able to determine the location of the Seamen's Friend Society where Gough delivered this lecture. The group may have been the Boston Seaman's Friend Society, the American Seaman's Friend Society in New York, the Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of Connecticut, or another organization with a similar name.

For another nineteenth-century ticket, see Grand Temperance Lecture Ticket.

Gough's Lecture.

Seamen's Friend Society.
May 4, 1865.

Parquette.
Seat H No. 18
Thursday, May 4.
Retain this portion of the ticket, as it secures your seat.

The Museum, Skinner, Day & Co., Keene, New Hampshire, ca. 1870s

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 02:52:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"The Museum" was the name of Skinner, Day & Co.'s store in Keene, New Hampshire.

For similar cards with a red or pink background illustration, see Eugene O. Chase, Second Leading Hoseman, Danielsonville, Conn., and Fireman Calling Card.

Museum. Skinner, Day & Co.,

Jewelers, Dry Goods, Carpets,
Fancy Goods and Everything
Keene, N.H.

A. F. Moore, M.D., Winsted, Connecticut, ca. 1883

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 02:02:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Dr. Arthur F. Moore (1843-1924) used this colorful leaf-shaped trade card to advertise his medical practice in Winsted, Connecticut.

Moore occasionally contributed notes about medical topics that appeared in the United States Medical Investigator (prior to 1875 the title of the periodical was simply the Medical Investigator). Since the published pieces included his name and location, they document the different places he lived.

Notes that Moore contributed in 1872 and 1873, for instance, listed his residence as Lyons, Wisconsin. By 1877 he had moved to Sandy Hill, New York. In 1883 he was in Winsted, Connecticut, where he handed out copies of this trade card. A year later, he was in Bridgewater, Vermont, and then in 1886 he ended up in in Ludlow, Vermont.

For another leaf-shaped trade card, see The Livermore Pen, Stylographic Pen Co., Boston, Mass.

A. F. Moore, M.D.

Office in Park Place
Hours 1 to 2 & 6 to 8 P.M.

Residence
141 Main Street, Winsted, Ct.

E. Oettel, Philadelphia Reliable Fancy Bakery and Confectionery, Lancaster, Pa.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 03:33:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

An elaborate business card printed by David Bachman Landis of Pluck Art Printery (later known as Landis Art Print).

The wavy, wiry vertical lines that Landis used to separate the "Special Attention" section on the left from the main "E. Oettel" portion of the card come from a set of "Capital Ornaments" dated 1891 that was available from the Barnhart Brothers & Spindler (BB&S) type foundry. Landis also used these separators in a number of other printed pieces. See, for instance, the following examples:

-- Charles S. Frantz, Graduate Ophthalmic Optician, Watchmaker, and Jeweler, Lancaster, Pa.
-- A. H. Herr, Mill Creek Dairy, Lancaster, Pa.
-- J. M. Trout, Fire Sand Quarries, Landisville, Pennsylvania, ca. 1890s

BB&S also sold a set of "Brownies" characters that included the tiny owl in the upper left-hand corner.

Typefaces: Duerer ("Fancy Bakery and Confectionery"), Pynson ("All kinds of Cakes, Pies, Creams, Water Ices, and"), Hansard ("Home Made Bread"), Dante ("No. 506 Manor Street, Lancaster, Pa."). The unidentified typeface used here for "E. Oettel" appears to be the same as the one selected for "J. M. Trout" on the J. M. Trout, Fire Sand Quarries card.

E. Oettel, Philadelphia Reliable Fancy Bakery and Confectionery.

All kinds of Cakes, Pies, Creams, Water Ices, and Home Made Bread.

No. 506 Manor Street, Lancaster, Pa.

Special attention given to wedding and party orders.

Stands at Eastern, Central, and Southern Markets.

C. W. Miller's Omnibus and Baggage Express Pass, Buffalo, N.Y., 1892 (Back)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 21:34:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

The back of a Victorian-era pass for omnibus travel and baggage delivery. See also the front of the pass.

Not Transferable.

Good in Omnibus only between Hotel and Depot and transfer of Baggage in City.

C. W. Miller's Omnibus and Baggage Express Pass, Buffalo, N.Y., 1892

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 21:34:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Charles Wright MIller (1837-1921) "revolutionized passenger and baggage transportation" in Buffalo, New York, in the nineteenth century, according to Susan J. Eck in her article, Charlie Miller's Livery Business, which she posted on her Western New York History blog.

"A traveler could purchase a ticket and in a single transaction arrange to be picked up at home or a hotel, transported to the respective train station, and have baggage processed through to the traveler's final destination," Eck explained. "No other company in the U.S. had observed the need for such coordination of travel arrangements, and it was immediately successful."

This pass allowed "M. O. Adams and Family" to travel during the year 1892 using the services of Miller's horse-drawn omnibuses and baggage delivery. The design of the pass reflects the Victorian-era Gaslight Style that used layering to produce a three-dimensional effect. The shadowing under the letters, for instance, gives them a raised appearance, and the superimposition of the curved lines of text -- "C. W. Miller's" over "Omnibus" over "Baggage Express" -- also provides a feeling of depth. A hanging baggage tag behind the text along with a cloud-like background adds to the multi-layered effect.

See also the other side of the pass.

C. W. Miller's Omnibus and Baggage Express, Buffalo, N.Y.

Pass M.O. Adams and Family
In Omnibus until Dec. 31st

No. 2622. 1892.

C. W. Miller.
Proprietor

Printed on the other side:

Not Transferable.

Good in Omnibus only between Hotel and Depot and transfer of Baggage in City.

Something New — Vaudeville Show at Woodford Farm, Ogdensburg, New York, July 9, 1903

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 20:53:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

This is a handbill advertising a vaudeville show that took place at Woodford Farm, a venue in Ogdensburg, New York, from Thursday, July 9, through Saturday, July 11, 1903.

The Ogdensburg Journal newspaper, in its issue for Friday, July 10, 1903, p. 4, didn't mention the Williard's Fun Makers or Burt Flower, but it had this to say about Prof. Hamnet's act (it spelled his name with an extra "t");

"Good Show at Woodford. Prof. Hamnett's Trained Animals and Birds Pleased Audience. Prof. Hamnett's trained animal show opened an engagement at Woodford Farm last night, giving a first-rate performance that pleased the 300 or more persons who assembled in the canvas pavilion. Prof. Hamnett's exhibitions are given by finely trained dogs, goats, geese and birds and the show is at all times bright and entertaining. It will be repeated tonight and Saturday night with a special matinee tomorrow afternoon for ladies and children."

Almost as interesting as Prof. Hamnet (his full name was Florus Hamnet Frost) are the various typefaces used for this handbill. The typeface for "Woodford Farm" and "Don't Miss It" with its uniquely shaped "O" is particularly distinctive.

Something New.

Vaudeville Show
at Woodford Farm

Commencing, Thursday Ev'g,
July 9,
Three Nights,
Saturday Matinee.

Prof. Hamnet's Educated Dogs, Goats, Geese & Birds

The Williard's Fun Makers

Burt Flower in New Songs & Dances

Don't Miss It.

Doors Open 7 P.M., Performance at 8:15.

Admission, 10c.

Grand Temperance Lecture Ticket

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 20:55:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A nineteenth-century ticket for a temperance lecture, date and location unknown.

Grand Temperance Lecture

10 Cents,
Admit One.

Escort Card, 1880s

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 03:19:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"M________. May I have the pleasure of your company to attend a ________ to be held at ________ on ____ day of ________ 188__ at ____ o'clock __M. If so, please sign your name on the back of this card and return to me. ________."

An escort or acquaintance card from the 1880s. For a discussion of these types of cards, see the article "When 'Flirtation Cards' Were All The Rage," by Linton Weeks, on NPR's Web site.

Christmas Compliments from the Garbage Man, 1917

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 23:15:59 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

In days of yore, the paper boy, message delivery boy, milkman, coal man, and even the garbage man might give you their holiday greetings!

Compliments from the Garbage Man

Christmas comes and Christmas goes,
With summer rains and winter snows.
The garbage man who always goes,
Fighting mankind's every foe.
He's poor and humble and knows no wealth,
But is ever guarding the public health.
He works in cheer and knows no fear,
Of the deadly germ that is always near.
So don't forget him when Christmas comes,
To help him make his loved ones dear,
With just a little Christmas cheer.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 1917-1918.

Reward of Merit for a Good Scholar, 1826

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 05:33:06 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

An early nineteenth-century reward of merit.

The "Elizabeth Bradley" who received this reward of merit may be the same "Betsy Bradley" listed on a Diligence Ticket from the same time period.

Reward of Merit

This certifies that Elizabeth Bradl[ey] is a good scholar and merits much praise from her instructor Albert Caswell, Caldwell, March 18, 1826.

Diligence Ticket

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 05:33:08 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A reward of merit dating to the early nineteenth century. According to Patricia Fenn and Alfred P. Malpa's book about Rewards of Merit (1994), pp. 205-6, Henry Dodd and James Stevenson, Jr., were in business together as printers in Salem, New York, from 1814 to 1831.

The "Betsy Bradley" listed on this Diligence Ticket may be the same "Elizabeth Bradley" who received a Reward of Merit for a Good Scholar, 1826.

Diligence Ticket

To Betsy Bradley for diligence in study, is this certificate given.

E. Durham, Ins.

Dodd & Stevenson, Printers, Salem.