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

Ruth and Sara on Board the L-21 Submarine, August 25, 1917

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:44:02 +0000

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of fancy studio backdrops.

A novelty photo with two young women in sailor costumes. The elaborate painted backdrop depicts an ocean of heavy waves with two ships billowing smoke on the horizon. A biplane is barely visible in the sky above them. The painted foreground features a submarine labeled "L 21 U.S." The submarine's hatch is open, its periscope is up, and it's flying an American flag.

Submarine hull: "L 21 U.S."

Handwritten caption: "R. Dodd. Sara Miller. 8-25-1917." Writing on the back also identifies the young women as "Ruth Dodd" on the left and "Sara Miller" on the right with the date given a second time as "8/25/1917."

For a similar real photo postcard, see Daddy on the Deck of the F-6 Submarine.

Goofy Guys Backwards and Frontwards (Fronts)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 03:53:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Three funny fellows pose facing the camera in this photograph. See also another photo with the same fellows with their backs to the camera. For more information, see the original real photo postcard, which incudes both pictures.

Goofy Guys Backwards and Frontwards (Backs)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 03:53:06 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Three funny fellows pose with their backs to the camera in this photograph. See also another photo with the same fellows facing the camera. For more information, see the original real photo postcard, which incudes both pictures.

Goofy Guys Backwards and Frontwards

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 03:53:08 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of Rückenfigur or "back to camera" - any photo in which one or more of the subjects have their backs fully or partially facing the camera.

On this real photo postcard, which combines two separate photographs, three funny fellows pose twice, first with their backs to the camera and then a second time as they face the camera. The three are sitting on a board or plank that extends between two chairs. In the first photo, all of them have bowler hats on their heads, and the guy in the middle has what looks like a picture frame hanging over his shoulder and down over his back. A stool and a wooden box with a handle are visible on the floor in front of them. The wall behind the men is partially covered by a painted backdrop, so presumably they're having their picture taken in a photo studio, though no studio name appears on the front or back of the card.

In the second photo, the guys seem even goofier as they face forward with funny expressions. The man on the left has a mischievous look on his face, and he's holding a small kettle with the handle of a spoon or some other utensil sticking out of the top. The guy in the middle has opened his mouth as if he's laughing or yelling. The bowler on his head is jauntily tilted to the side, and his right hand is blurred -- was he pumping his fist or gesturing toward the basket that he's holding in his lap? And what's in the basket? The third man is grinning, probably because instead of a hat he's wearing something on his head that looks like a lampshade with ruffles. He has his arms wrapped around himself as if he's cold, and he's holding a pitcher under one arm.

The undivided back (for an address only) on the other side of this real photo postcard indicates that it dates before 1907 (when both an address and a message were allowed on the verso), and the Cyko stamp box design (in use as early as 1904) printed on the back also fits this time frame.

Halloween Party Prisoners

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 02:33:58 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of funny costume or outfit (for Halloween or any other occasion).

Handwritten note on the other side of this photo: "Mary K. Anderson. Helen Troxell. (B. B. Kids). Halloween Party."

As the note suggests, Mary and Helen evidently dressed in black and white stripes in imitation of prison garb to wear as Halloween costumes Judging by the painted backdrop and window frame, they posed for the photo in a studio setting.

This is a divided-back real photo postcard. There's no address, postmark, stamp box, or any other information on the verso that would provide any clues to the location or date of the photo.

Man and Woman in Swimsuits, Atlantic City, New Jersey

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 02:14:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of one sitting, one standing.

A man and a woman -- single at the time but later married -- pose in swimsuits for a souvenir photo at a studio in Atlantic City, New Jersey, sometime in the early twentieth century. The painted backdrop shows waves breaking on a beach.

The woman is sitting awkwardly on a small table, with one foot underneath her and her other foot resting on the bottom shelf of the table. The man is standing next to her and also has one foot on the shelf. They're leaning in toward one other, and they each have one hand on the table top and the other hand on a hip.

Handwritten note on the other side: "Daddy & Mother when Single."

Printed on the verso: "Albert Studio, Ark Ave., and Beach, Atlantic City, N.J."

The Cyko stamp box ("Cyko - Place Postage Stamp Here") on the back of this divided-back real photo postcard indicates that it may date to sometime between 1907 and the 1920s.

Four Couples in a Car, 1942

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 03:49:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of friends. (The very first theme from May 27 to June 2, 2013, in celebration of the Vintage Photos Theme Park's tenth anniversary!)

A handwritten list of names and the year appear on the other side of this real photo postcard: "1942. Harry Trevis, Austin Lolly, Grace Barnard, Billie Miner, Lill Sanberg, Jean Olsen, Bill Ryan, & Jean Kearney."

A group of friends -- four couples -- sit in a car in front of a painted backdrop as they pose for a photo in an unidentified studio (possibly located in Coney Island).

Fallen from the Crust, Jacksonville, Florida, March 31, 1906 (Cropped)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 03:24:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

For the message accompanying this picture, see the full version of this real photo postcard.

Fallen from the Crust, Jacksonville, Florida, March 31, 1906

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 03:24:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of unique or outrageous hats.

This is a real photo postcard sent from Jacksonville, Florida, to Newton, New Hampshire, on March 31, 1906.

Printed on the other side: "Post Card, Souvenir, Jacksonville. J. A. Hollingsworth, Tourist Photographer, Hogan St., Opp. Park Hotel, Jacksonville, Fla."

Message written on the front: "Jacksonville, Fla., March 31. Whatever you do, don't come to Florida. Look at this picture and see how we have 'fallen from the crust.' Am so weak that I can hardly manage my auto. Hope to be better by tomorrow. Will."

If Will could afford an automobile like the one he's pretending to drive, then he must not have "fallen from the [upper] crust," as he jokingly suggests.

See a cropped version for a better view of Will and his wife, their hats, and the automobile.

Boy with Strunk's Studio Horse, Reading, Pennsylvania

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 03:59:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of rocking horse.

On the other side of this real photo postcard is an Azo stamp box (with four corner triangles pointing up) that indicates that the photo may date to sometime between 1904 and 1918. The back of the card also gives its origin: "Strunk's Studio, 750 Penn St., Reading, Pa."

At first glance the boy in the photo appears to be posing with a rocking horse, but a closer examination reveals that the horse's legs are attached to a wooden platform. It may be the same toy horse mounted on wheels that appears in other Strunk photos. See, for instance, a cabinet card with Roy Peiffer on Strunk's Studio Horse, Reading, Pennsylvania.

House of David Band, Benton Harbor, Michigan

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 21:43:28 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"61. House of David - Benton Harbor, Mich."

The House of David was a religious commune in Benton Harbor, Michigan, whose members performed in touring bands (like the one above), played on baseball teams, and ran an amusement park that featured miniature trains (like the ones below). Benjamin Purnell (see below) and his wife Mary formed the group in 1903.

Beat Us If You Can

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 04:39:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Caption: "Beat us if you can."

Printed on the back of this unused real photo postcard: "Slater's Interurban Post Card Studio, 430 Superior St., Toledo, Ohio."

Judging by the design of the stamp box on the other side (it has the initials "PMC" and diamond shapes in each of its four corners), it's possible that the date of the photo may be as early as 1907 (see Playle's How to Identify and Date Real Photo Vintage Postcards).

For similar photos, see Two Jolly Good Fellows, Aunt Lora and Uncle Will Are Coming Home, March 10, 1908, and Men in Bowler Hats.

Paper Moon with Finnish Christmas Greeting, 1914

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 04:22:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A young woman posing with a paper moon. The sign in front of her says, "Hauskaa Joulua Ja Onnea Vuodelle, 1914-1915."

Google translation from the Finnish: "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 1914-1915."

This is an unmailed real photo postcard with an Azo stamp box (four corner triangles pointing up) on the other side, which suggests a time frame—1904 to 1918—that matches the holiday season—1914-1915—indicated on the sign in the photo.

A Signal from Mars? (Lassoing a Toy Horse)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 00:20:06 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

The rope of a lasso surrounds a tiny toy horse.

For more information, see another detail from the same photo along with the original version.

A Signal from Mars? (Woman with Sheet Music)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 00:20:08 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A woman poses for a photo and pretends to sing as she holds the sheet music for A Signal from Mars: March and Two Step.

For more information, see another detail from the same photo along with the original version.

A Signal from Mars?

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 00:20:10 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of over the shoulder (something or somebody).

Everyone in this puzzling photo is holding something. The man on the left is holding a cane over his shoulder, and the second man has a rope wrapped around his left hand. Both men are watching the woman in the middle, who's holding sheet music and singing. The woman on the right, who's seated in a chair, is holding a lute and is playing it to accompany the woman who's singing. The woman standing beside the singer and both of the men are all holding rolled-up papers of some sort.

A closer look at the photo reveals some curious details. First, the sheet music that the woman is holding is entitled A Signal from Mars: March and Two Step, which was published in 1901 (hear a piano version on YouTube). Since the piece is an instrumental "march and two step" without any lyrics, why is the woman pretending to use it as she's singing?

Secondly, the rope that the second man is holding extends down to the floor where it's coiled around a small horse pull toy. Why did the man lasso a tiny toy horse?

I don't have any answers for the questions that this photo poses. Although the painted backdrop and patterned floor covering suggest that this picture was taken in a photo studio, I wonder if this might be a scene from a theatrical production. There was a popular comedic play with a similar title—A Message from Mars—that toured the United States between 1903 and 1905. As far as I can determine, however, A Message from Mars was not a musical, and there was no connection to the sheet music for A Signal from Mars.

A Man and His Dog, 1914

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 03:22:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A photo of a dog or cat on a chair for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

A real photo postcard of a man and his dog. I haven't been able to decipher the inscription on the front (except for the year), and there's no name, address, or postmark on the verso.

Printed on the other side: "R. Guilleminot, Bœspflug et Cie. Paris."

Bertha Standing on an Elaborate Wicker Chair

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 21:40:30 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Written on the back of this real photo postcard: "Bertha."

Girl with Unique Hair

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 01:46:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A photo of hair—in all its glory or eccentricity for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

On the glorious-eccentric scale for hair styles, this girl's hair seems to me to fall a little toward the eccentric side. There are no clues on the photo to provide any information about the girl's identity or location, but one interesting detail is the small Red Cross pinback button that she's wearing on her dress.

The Cyko stamp box on the back of this real photo postcard suggests a date of either 1904-1908 (according to Playle's) or 1920-1928 (according to Metropostcard.com).

My runners-up for this week's theme include the following previously posted images of:

-- Clara Rousby, British Stage Actress, ca. 1870s
-- Rasputin and the Amorphous Enigma
-- Benjamin Purnell, Founder of the House of David, Benton Harbor, Michigan

Girl Reading the North American Newspaper (Detail)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 02:32:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A detail showing a close-up of the North American newspaper from a real photo postcard. For more information, see the original photo.