Photos, videos and docs of Alan Mays, with the keywords: "Ill."

Roller Rink Ticket, Chicago Roller Skate Company, Chicago, Ill.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 04:20:02 +0000

See the Made-in-Chicago Museum's article about the Chicago Roller Skate Co., est. 1905 for info about the company. The article contains an image of a similar ticket for a "Skate Check" instead of an admission ("Admit One").

Roller Rink

Admit One. 103616.

Chicago Roller Skate Co., Chicago, Ill. Made in U.S.A.

Singing and Strumming—and Shooting?

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 03:50:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of sing, sing, sing!—folks making music vocally.

An unidentified country musician poses in front of a microphone bearing the call letters for radio station WVLN in Olney, Illinois. Although the microphone and guitar suggest that he sang and played for a show on the station, I haven't been able to determine who he is. I was surprised to see that he was wearing a holster with a revolver. I hope he stuck to the singing and strumming and avoided any shooting.

This is an unused real photo postcard with no date or any other additional information on the other side.

W. B. Probasco and James P. Lott, Burch House, Bloomington, Illinois, ca. 1869

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 21:18:08 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A business card for William B. Probasco and James P. Lott, who were the proprietors of the Burch House hotel in Bloomington, Illinois, for a number of years in the 1860s. According to various sources (see below), Probasco purchased the hotel in 1866, but Lott left Bloomington and moved to Chicago in 1870, so their partnership in running the hotel lasted less than five years.

-- Burch House newspaper ad, 1869. An advertisment that ran in the Bloomington Weekly Leader, April 15, 1869, p. 7, provided the same information that's printed on the card.

-- James P. Lott moved to Chicago in 1870. An entry about "James P. Lott" in the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois (1905), vol. 2, Cook County edition, p. 939, states, "In January 1861, he came with his father to Bloomington, Ill., where he at first engaged in the grocery business, and afterward conducted a hotel. Coming to Chicago in 1870, he worked for his father's firm."

-- William B. Probasco bought the Burch House in 1866 and ran the hotel until 1871. Rochelle Gridley wrote about "The Probasco Family" on her 100 Years Ago in the Pantagraph blog, July 14, 2017, observing that William B. Probasco bought "the Burch Hotel in 1866 and ran that business until 1871, when he went into the grain business."

-- William B. Probasco was in the business until 1871. A profile of "W. B. Probasco" in The History of McLean County, Illinois (1879), p. 811, confirms that "he was engaged in the hotel business in Bloomington until 1871."

Burch House,

Cor. Front and Madison Sts., Bloomington, Illinois.

Probasco & Lott, proprietors.

Transient board, $2.00 per day. General stage office.

Omnibus leaves the house. Connecting with all trains.

W. B. Probasco. Jas. P. Lott.

Dr. LeGear, Largest Horse in the World

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 05:07:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

What would be a good name for the "largest horse in the world," a Percheron owned by Dr. L. D. LeGear, whose company manufactured patent veterinary medicines in the early twentieth century? Well, how about "Dr. LeGear"? That wouldn't confuse anybody, would it?

Dr. LeGear
Largest horse in the world.
21 hands high, weight 2995 pounds.

Owned by Dr. L. D. LeGear Medicine Co., St. Louis, Mo.
Mfrs. Dr. LeGear's Stock and Poultry Remedies.
"One for every ailment."

Printed on the back of the postcard:

"Dr. LeGear" the giant horse is a beautiful dapple seal brown Persheron gelding 21 hands high, takes a 32-inch collar, is perfectly proportioned, absolutely sound, weighed May 1, 1913, 2995 pounds, and is valued at $25,000.00. Owned by Dr. L. D. LeGear Medicine Co., St. Louis, Mo., m'f'g's. Dr. LeGear's Stock and Poultry Remedies.

Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Shoemaker, Dakota, Illinois

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 05:07:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A postcard-sized example of ornamental penmanship featuring a flourished bird. The piece is unsigned and may date to as early as the 1880s or 1890s.

"Compliments of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Shoemaker, Dakota, Ill."

Joseph Shellenberger Shoemaker (1854-1936) was a well-known bishop in the Mennonite Church. He and his wife, Elizabeth Sechrist Brubaker (1856-1931), were married in 1877, and they were members of the Freeport Mennonite Church in Freeport, Illinois.

For additional examples of bird flourishes and other ornamental penmanship, see my Writing, Lettering, Flourishing album and the Clinton Clark Scrapbook, which was uploaded to the Internet Archive by IAMPETH (International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting).

Putnam Fadeless Dyes and Tints Advertising Fan

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 05:20:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Putnam Fadeless Dyes-Tints."

A late 1920s paper advertising fan with a wooden handle. The elaborate Art Nouveau design of the fan features a green nymph in flowing robes who's using Putnam Fadeless Dyes and Tints to paint colors onto the wings of a quizzical-looking butterfly. Two other leafy green creatures kneel on either side as they hold bowls of Putnam products. Purple gnarly tree trunks and branches along with green leaves frame the fantastical scene.

See also the advertising copy on the back of the fan.

Putnam Fadeless Dyes and Tints Advertising Fan (Back)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 05:20:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Partial transcription of the text on the back of the Putnam Fadeless Dyes and Tints Advertising Fan:

Putnam Fadeless Dyes, Tints

To dye, use boiling water. To tint, dip in warm water. Colors all materials.

Putnam No-Kolor Bleach removes the original color, which enables you to dye material any color desired. No-Kolor will not harm any fabric that boiling water alone will not injure.

Why Putnam Fadeless Dyes and Tints are best for you....

Tint with Putnam (no boiling is required)....

A free offer if you have gray hair....

Putnam Dry-Cleaner. The original dry cleaner.... Monroe Chemical Company, Quincy, Illinois.

The Regensteiner Corporation, Chicago.

Compliments of Geo. F. Hoy, Hublersburg, Pa.

Bargain Water Closets from the St. Louis World's Fair (1904): Front Washout Closets

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 16:59:12 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Over 19 million people visited the St. Louis World's Fair (officially known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition), which was held in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904. For one of the attractions at the fair, the Chicago House Wrecking Company bought the world's first Ferris Wheel, originally constructed in 1893 for the Chicago World's Fair, disassembled the wheel in Chicago, and then rebuilt it in St. Louis.

After the St. Louis fair closed on December 1, 1904, the Chicago House Wrecking Company purchased many of the fair's buildings, which the company then dismantled and resold in parts and pieces (the Ferris Wheel, however, met a different fate--it was dynamited and scrapped in 1906).

As this small advertisement demonstrates, all sorts of fixtures were available for sale. If you needed a toilet (or, I suppose, if you just wanted a unique souvenir from the fair), you could buy a "high-grade front washout closet" like the one above for $9.00. Or for a better bargain at only $8.00, you could turn the ad over and select a "hopper closet" (see image below) that was safe even in unheated bathrooms.

Bargain Water Closets from World's Fair

No. W.F. 100. 2,000 of these high grade Front Washout Closets. They are in first class condition. Outfit consists of porcelain front washout closet bowl, with a top supply closet tank all complete with best flushing devices; strong seat to fasten to wall. N.P. flush pipe and elbow coupling, floor screws, chain and pull, brackets, etc. Special price while they last, $9.00.

Chicago House Wrecking Co., 35th and Iron Sts., Chicago. (Over).

Bargain Water Closets from the St. Louis World's Fair (1904): Hopper Closets

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 16:59:10 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

For information regarding the Chicago House Wrecking Company and the world's fair toilets that the company sold, see Bargain Water Closets from the St. Louis World's Fair (1904): Front Washout Closets.

Bargain Water Closets from the World's Fair

No. W.F. 108. 500 of these Hopper Closets. Just the thing for bathrooms that are not heated--as they won't burst. Outfit consists of porcelain hopper bowl, top supply tank complete with best flushing devices, strong seat to fasten to the wall. N.P. flush pipe and elbow coupling, floor screws, chain and pull, brackets, etc. Special price while they last, $8.00.

Chicago House Wrecking Co., 35th and Iron Sts., Chicago. (Over).

Inman Steamship Company

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 16:38:55 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Inman Steamship Company. The Major & Knapp Lith. Co., N.Y." Rubberstamped on front: "Chas. W. Hamilton, Brimfield, Illinois. Brimfield Bank."

A Victorian-era trade card advertising the Inman Steamship Company, a British passenger shipping company.

Friendly Tavern, U.S. Routes 11 and 15, Newport, Pa.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 17:54:58 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Friendly Tavern, Route 11-15, north of Harrisburg, Pa."

The Friendly Tavern was located in Perry County, Pennsylvania, along a stretch of highway where U.S. Route 11 combines with U.S. Route 15. The building that housed the taven is now part of an establishment called TJ's (see the Google Maps Street View from 2015).

Cracker Jack Riddles

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 01:50:41 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Cracker Jack Riddle cards like this one were issued in sets of twenty in 1906. They included well-worn humorous riddles that circulated widely in books and newspapers at the time. A book of Conundrums, Riddles, and Puzzles by Dean Rivers that appeared in 1903, for instance, contained all the riddles on this card and probably most or all of the ones on the other nineteen cards.

Cracker Jack

It is not often one can find
A candy good for body and mind,
But our old doctor says it's true
That "Cracker Jack" is good for you.

This famous confection is manufactured from choice, wholesome materials and blended together in a scientific manner. Cracker Jack is a combination of candy, popcorn, and peanuts, and it is very nutritious as well as palatable. It is more easily digested and assimilated than richly made candies. It is good alike for young and old.

The more you eat
The more you want.

Manufactured by Rueckheim Bros. & Eckstein, Chicago, U.S.A.

See riddles on other side.

"Cracker Jack" Riddles

What relation is a door mat to a door step? A step farther.

What is the difference between one yard and two yards? A fence.

How do we know that Noah had a pig in the ark? Because he had Ham.

When is money damp? When it is due in the morning and missed at night.

What is the cheapest way to buy a fiddle? Buy a little medicine and get a vial in?

How may book-keeping be taught in a lesson of three words? Never lend them.

Why are records brittle things? Because they cannot be lowered without breaking.

When did George Washington first take a carriage? When he took a hack at the cherry tree.

What is the difference between forms and ceremonies? You sit upon one and stand on the other.

Why do girls kiss each other and men not? Because girls have nothing better to kiss, and men have.

Why were the brokers in the panic of 1873 like Pharaoh's daughter? They saved a little prophet from the rushes on the banks.

Send name and address with 2c stamp and receive a full set (20 different kinds) of our famous "Cracker Jack" Riddle Cards.

Grin and Bear It

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 21:43:32 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A what a grin photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

Written on the front of this real photo postcard: "Hello Enulia, this is me. Harold Andersun" (my best guesses for the spelling of the names).

Stamped on the back: "Downers Grove Photo Studio" (which was probably located in Downers Grove, Illinois).

Poor Harold has evidently heard the bad news about Ipernity but is still putting on a brave front (unlike me, who's having a bit of trouble mustering up a smile).

Curtiss Candy Company Mixed Bowling League, Chicago, Illinois, 1949

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 17:38:54 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Curtis Candy Co. Mixed Bowling League. 1948. 1949. Sheridan Recreation, Feb. 3, 1949."

Group photo of the participants in a Curtiss Candy Company bowling league. Games took place at Sheridan Recreation, a bowling alley and pool hall located at 1002 Wilson Avenue in Chicago.

Theodore Roosevelt and the Roller Skate Craze

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 22:36:58 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

I believe it was U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt who said, "Speak softly, carry a big stick, and go roller skating." Or words to that effect.

Joe DiMaggio's Restaurant, Fishermen's Wharf, San Francisco, California

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 18:25:40 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Joe DiMaggio's Restaurant, Fishermen's Wharf, San Francisco, California. Famous thruout the world. Vincent DiMaggio. Dominic DiMaggio. Telephone: Ordway 2266 - 205-11 Jefferson St. Cocktails."

Printed on the back of this linen postcard: "Joe DiMaggio's Restaurant. Your visit to San Francisco would not be complete without dining and dancing at Joe DiMaggio's restaurant, overlooking the world-famous Fishermen's Wharf, with its picturesque Italian fishermen and their gaily painted fishing craft in full view."

Handwritten note on the back: "1940."

Baby in a Crock

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 18:35:28 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Markings on the front of the crock: "12. Macomb Pottery Co., manufacturers, Macomb, Ill."

An infant poses for a picture in a large 12-gallon stoneware crock. This obviously seems similar in concept to the more common baby-in-a-basin photos. For examples, see my own Baby in a Basin, Photographed by Galen Piper, Bainbridge, Pa., photo (below) and elinor04's Baba a lavórban [Baby in a Washbasin] photo.

Electricity in a Bottle

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 23:49:44 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Electricity in a Bottle. Cures catarrh, hay fever, headache, asthma, neuralgia. Price, $1.00. The West Electric Cure Co., Chicago, Ills."

A die-cut advertising trade card for an electrifying patent medicine.

St. Clair Cocktail Circle, Hotel St. Clair, Chicago, Ill.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 26 May 2015 18:42:16 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Greetings from the St. Clair Cocktail Circle, the biggest little bar in all Chicago...and the most novel!"

Printed on the back of this linen postcard: "The St. Clair. Rooms, studios. Chicago's distinguished hotel-home. Ideally located on near north side overlooking Lake Michigan, Outer Drive Bridge, Michigan Ave., etc. Air-conditioned restaurant and cocktail rooms. Ideal home for a day, a month, a year. Hotel St. Clair. 2B-H1202."

Hotel St. Clair was built in 1927, and today it continues in business as the Inn of Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel. I doubt that the St. Clair Cocktail Circle is still around, however.

Prudential's Calorie Counter

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 21:06:47 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

1. Turn calorie wheel to "0" in small window.
2. Insert finger in notch indicating the calorie count for each item of food eaten. Push
notch to bottom of slot.
3. Read total calories in window. It will add up to the total for each meal.

For extremely heavy meals, where calorie wheel makes more than one complete revolution, add 1000 to total shown.