Album Comic Postcards from Alan Mays

Babes in the Wood

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 23:49:02 +0000

(I'm still catching up on the Vintage Photos Theme Park postings I missed while Ipernity was offline.)

A photo of shoes for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

This is an early twentieth-century comic photo postcard, issued as part of Bamforth's "Life Model Series." The "Babes in the Wood" caption is an ironic reference to the expression meaning a "person who is innocent, naive, inexperienced, or helpless, especially with respect to an unfamiliar situation or environment."

Here, however, we have two not-so-innocent "babes" in wooden stocks who are being punished for some unknown crime. Judging by the debris on the ground around the stocks, it appears that passersby have been throwing garbage at the miscreants.

Those Dreamy Eyes

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 03:52:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

This is a postcard that's addressed on the other side to Miss Nellie Groves, Greenland, West Virginia. It was postmarked in Maysville, West Virginia, but the date is missing.

Handwritten message: "Hello Nellie, How are you by this time. I am going to school today, when are you coming over. This is from your beau. Henry."

For a similar postcard, see Here Is Looking at You.

Too Much Pork for Just One Fork

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 23:59:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

The caption on the front of this exaggeration postcard is "Feeding Time," but I borrowed "Too Much Pork for Just One Fork" from Southern Culture on the Skids, who used it as a song and album title.

This is a photomontage by Kansas photographer William H. Martin (1865-1940). For more examples of Martin's work, see Good Corn Makes Good Hogs and A Mess of Potatoes.

This real photo postcard is addressed on the other side to Mr. Richard Storey, Medora, Ill., but there's no stamp or postmark.

Handwritten message: "5/15 1910. They raise 'em like this in Indiana. J.O.B."

I Would Like to See You Here

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 00:19:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Rebus: "Eye wood l-eye-ke two c u h-ear."

Translation: "I would like to see you here."

"You will find the solution of this riddle underneath the stamp."

Handwritten message on the front of this postcard: "From a friend. Haven't you forgotten me? Hope not, come to see me. I often think of you."

The card was addressed on the other side to "Miss Laura Fisher, Carlisle, Penna., c/o Lindner Shoe Co.," and was postmarked in Carlisle, Pa., on April 12, 1906.

A sticker with a Bible verse is affixed to the other side: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48."

This is Huld's Riddle Series No. 9. For other postcards in the series, see I Would Like to Meet You and I Would Like to Make a Date with You.

I Would Like to Make a Date with You

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 00:19:06 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Rebus: "Eye wood l-eye-ke two m-ache a d-eight with u."

Translation: "I would like to make a date with you."

"You wii find the solution of this riddle underneath the stamp."

Handwritten notation: "656 York, Pa."

This postcard was addressed to Miss Martha Smith, Wrightsville, Pa., and was postmarked on Nov. 2, 1906, in York, Pa.

The stamp on the other side is intact, and the solution--presumably "I would like to make a date with you"--that's printed underneath it is hidden.

This is Huld's Riddle Series No. 13. For other postcards in the series see I Would Like to See You Here and I Would Like to Meet You.

I Would Like to Meet You

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 00:19:08 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Rebus: "Eye wood l-eye-ke two meat u."

Translation: "I would like to meet you."

"You will find the solution of this riddle underneath the stamp."

Handwritten message: "Read the riddle and you shall feel happy and think of me."

This postcard was addressed to Miss Annie Klick, R.F.D. #2, Lebanon, Pa., and postmarked in Mount Zion, Pa., on Jan. 17, 1907.

The stamp on the other side was torn off to reveal the solution printed in the stamp box underneath it: "I would like to meet (or to roast) you."

The rebus here conveys a playful message similar to the ones on acquaintance cards, such as May I See You Home? and I Am Uriah E. Heckert.

This is Huld's Riddle Series No. 5. For other postcards in the series see I Would Like to Make a Date with You and I Would Like to See You Here.

Beam Eye Bow—A Puzzle

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 03:54:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Beam Eye Bow. This is a puzzel."

Have you figured out the puzzle? The illustration accompanying "Beam Eye Bow" (say the words quickly a few times) is a rebus that translates to "Be My Beau"(a beau, of course, is a boyfriend or sweetheart).

This is a postcard designed to look like a school slate, and its playfully flirtatious message reminds me of an acquaintance card (compare it with May I See You Home?).

There's no date on this postcard, but I have a second copy with a 1907 postmark, and a web search uncovered another example from 1909.

For another bow/beau postcard, see To My Affinity From One Who Has No Bow.

You Are the Apple of My Eye—We Should Make a Good Pair

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

Alan Mays has posted:

"You are the [apple] of my [eye]. We should make a good [pear]."

A postcard addressed on the other side to "Miss E. Jonkin [or Tonkin], Trescobease Manor, Falmouth, [Cornwall, England]."

Handwritten note on the verso: "Dear E., So sorry we shall not make a pair this year on account of this terrible war. Your devoted G."

Printed on the other side: "'National' Series. Made in Gt. Britain. No. 1866."

Although there's no date or postmark (and the stamp once affixed to the back of the postcard is missing), "G." was evidently writing to "E." sometime during the "terrible" years of World War I (1914-1918).

For other romantic rebuses featuring fruit and vegetables, see You Had Better Ask Papa and A Farmer's Love Letter.

New Year Mushrooms and Snails—Viel Glück im Neuen Jahr

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 04:46:06 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Viel Glück im neuen Jahre."

"Good luck in the New Year" is the message on this early twentieth-century German postcard featuring a snail chauffeur with two mushroom passengers.

Halloween Mischief—What the Boys Did to the Cow

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 21:03:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"What the boys did to the cow."

A comic Halloween postcard published by Julius Bien & Co. in 1908.

This postcard was addressed on the other side to Miss Lille Collins, 122 Dickerson Street, Newark, N.J., and postmarked in Smyrna, Delaware, on October 30, 1911. Message: "Love to all, E.R.C."

For a another card from the same publisher, see What the Pig Thought of the Ghost on Halloween.

Halloween Pumpkinheads at the Gate

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 16:57:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Halloween postcard addressed to Master Samuel Hauenstein, Lincoln, Pa., and postmarked on Oct. 31, 1912. There's nothing written on the back other than the address.

Printed on the other side: "Raphael Tuck & Sons' 'Hallowe'en' Series of Post Cards No. 174."

You Have the Key That Fits My Heart

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 15:42:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A woman fans herself as a man encroaches on her personal space while they are both perched dangerously on top of a giant key in this amusing image from an early twentieth-century postcard.

Caption: "You have the key that fits my heart."

Smile, Darn You, Smile!

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 03:58:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A postcard addressed on the other side to Miss Hildur Linton [her later married name was Hildur T. Otto], 1014 7th St., S.E., City, and postmarked on Oct. 13, 1908, in Minneapolis, Minn.

The enigmatic handwritten message on the back is: "Puzzle. Can you find the sender? Yes - no."

A Joyous Easter—His Morning Drive

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 08:48:40 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"With all good wishes for a joyous Easter. His morning drive."

A real photo postcard of a boy with his toy wagon and rooster.

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?

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.

The Salesman—He Nags You Until You Must Buy

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 05:04:17 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

This vinegar valentine is a postcard that was addressed to H. W. Booser, 13th Street, Harrisburg, Pa. The card was postmarked first in Lewisberry, Pa., and then a second time in Harrisburg, Pa., on Feb. 14, 1908. Although the postcard was sent anonymously with no message or signature, it's possible that the recipient recognized the sender by the postmark or through the handwriting of the address.

As it turns out, Harry W. Booser lived at 121 N. 13th Street in Harrisburg, and he worked as a salesman, so the vinegary humor of the card was apparently directed at him.

The Salesman

His motto is still do or die
And he nags you until you must buy.
His line is complete
And his nerve hard to beat
But sometimes he goes on the fly.

Signs, etc., in illustration:

Office.
This is our busy day.
Samples.
This way out.
85% discount to jobbers.
Expense account.

I Want You To Be My Valentine

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 05:05:54 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Buster Brown and his dog Tige on a valentine postcard, circa 1907, by cartoonist Richard F. Outcault (1863-1928). For another Buster Brown valentine, see Here's a Wireless Telegram—Be My Valentine.

"I want you to be my valentine. It doesn't seem to be a secret. R. F. Outcault. Raphael Tuck & Sons, Limited. London, Paris, New York, Montreal."

I Nearly Got in Hot Water in Cashtown, Pa.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 19:53:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

An early twentieth-century postcard that could be customized with the name of any city or town.

Donkey Photography—"Look Pleasant"

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 06:14:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Look pleasant" is what the horse/photographer is saying as a donkey and boy pose for a photo.

This is a postcard addressed on the other side to Mrs. Emma Cranford, Lisbon, Ohio, R.F.D. No. 2, and postmarked Wilson, Pa., June 27, 1910.

Handwritten message: "Sun. eve., just closing. All well and have been busy all day. Will write you a letter tomorrow. Got cherries and were fine and many thanks till better paid [I'm not sure of the meaning of this run-on sentence]. Love, Alice & Jno.