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

Halloween Get-Together with Owl Centerpiece and Witch Hat, October 1971 (Cropped)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 17:33:04 +0000

Take a look at the Halloween decorations in the photo. There's a honeycomb tissue owl in the middle of the table, black cats on the cups and plates, and a witch on the hat that the woman is wearing.

For more information, see the full version of this photo.

Halloween Get-Together with Owl Centerpiece and Witch Hat, October 1971

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 17:33:06 +0000

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A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the monthly theme of free-for-all (submit as many vintage photos on any topic as you'd like each week in addition to—or instead of—a photo for the weekly topic). This also fits the previous theme of Halloween (costumes, masks, jack-o'-lanterns, decorations, ghosts, gravestones, or anything else spooky or scary).

A snapshot of a Halloween gathering in October 1971. In the middle of the table are two lighted candles and a honeycomb tissue owl centerpiece. One woman is holding a candy apple, and the woman to her right is wearing a party hat decorated with the silhouette of a witch. Images of black cats are visible on the cups and plates.

See a cropped version of the photo for a better view of the table decorations and witch hat.

For a second photo of the same scene taken from a different angle, see Halloween Get-Together with Owl and Black Cat Decorations, October 1971.

Halloween Get-Together with Owl and Black Cat Decorations, October 1971 (Cropped)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 17:33:08 +0000

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Notice the owl centerpiece and the tablecloth pattern with black cats as witches stirring the contents of cauldrons. Also visible on the tables are candles, plates, cups, spoons, and candy apples. For more information, see the full version of this photo.

Halloween Get-Together with Owl and Black Cat Decorations, October 1971

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 17:33:10 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of forks, knives, and/or spoons. This also fits the previous theme of Halloween (costumes, masks, jack-o'-lanterns, decorations, ghosts, gravestones, or anything else spooky or scary).

A snapshot of women gathered around a kitchen table decorated for Halloween in October 1971, as the date printed at the top of the photo indicates.

The centerpiece is a honeycomb tissue owl, originally packaged as a "Dennison Halloween Owl, 10" Tall," as I was able to determine after a Google Images search. The pattern on the tablecloth shows an image of black cats as witches stirring the contents of cauldrons. There are also candles, plates, cups, spoons, and candy apples on the table.

See a cropped version of the photo for a better view of the Halloween decorations.

For another photo of the same scene from a different angle, see Halloween Get-Together with Owl Centerpiece and Witch Hat, October 1971.

Halloween Jack-o'-Lanterns, White Robes, and a Black Cat

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 03:55:10 +0000

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The word "Hallowe'en" in gold letters is barely visible against the dark blue nighttime sky at the top of this postcard. On the ground down below, five young women carrying jack-o'-lanterns and wearing white robes are accompanied by a black cat as they make their way through a scary forest where even the trees and rocks seem to have menacing faces.

I'm not sure what to make of this scene. Could these be novice witches on their way to a Halloween initiation where they'll receive their broomsticks and black garments? Or perhaps they're just Halloween partygoers who've gotten lost in an appropriately sinister setting.

Unfortunately, the other side of the postcard doesn't provide any clues to explain the illustration. A handwritten message says, "Was at Phila. [Philadelphia] for first time, Oct. 17, 1914, Ida," but otherwise there isn't any address, stamp, or postmark.

Merry Halloween

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 16:55:02 +0000

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In this Halloween postcard dated 1908, a couple of black cats are looking up at a girl and boy who are leaning over a winking jack-o'-lantern.

Handwritten message on the other side of the postcard, which was postmarked in Nelson, N.Y., on October 30. 1912:

"10/30/12. Dear Nephew, Have you gathered many nuts this fall? Best wishes for a Happy Halloween. With love from Aunt Cora."

Halloween—A Witch Out for Mischief

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 04:22:02 +0000

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Bats, an owl, and a black cat accompany a witch as she rides her broomstick over a snow-covered landscape in this illustration from a postcard dated 1910.

For a similar postcard, see Halloween—Witch and Black Cat on a Broomstick.

Black Cat Dance Ticket, Lancaster, Pa., October 27, 1922

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 05:59:02 +0000

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A Halloween dance possibly named after the Black Cat Dance (sheet music, 1916). The site of the dance was Hiemenz's Auditorium, a venue managed by H. John Hiemenz. See also Hell'o'een Masked Dance Ticket, Lancaster, Pa., October 29, 1920.

Black Cat Dance

Friday, Oct. 27. Danceland Six. (Hiemenz's).

Novelties. Admission, 55 cts.

Halloween—Witch with a Black Cat on a Pumpkin

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 06:17:00 +0000

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A Halloween postcard addressed to Mrs. Chas. Studt, Lilly, Pa., and postmarked at Conemaugh, Pa., Oct. 29, 1910.

Handwritten message on back: "Dear Grandmother, I wish you were down to get some taffy & fudge and nuts. I hope you are well and I will be up soon. Roy.

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

For another postcard sent to the same person in 1910, see Halloween—Witch with Jack-o'-Lantern.

Pumpkinhead Boy with Witch and Black Cat

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 21:50:20 +0000

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Why is the witch holding a knife? Is that a plate of ice cream with a wedding ring on top? Is that a black cat or could it be a big rat? What is pumpkinhead boy smiling at? Why are some early twentieth-century Halloween postcards so puzzling?

A Witch with a Veggie Chauffeur in a Halloween Melon-mobile

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 03:48:49 +0000

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A witch holds her broomstick tightly as she rides in the back seat of a watermelon car driven by a wide-eyed veggie creature. A black cat sits next to her, and a bat flies above.

A date of "Oct. 31st, 1908" is written on the other side of this postcard, which was published by the British firm of Raphael Tuck & Sons and issued as part of its popular Halloween series 150.

Merry Halloween from Brunswick, Maine, 1943 (Cropped)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 17:20:08 +0000

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For more information, see the full version of this real photo postcard.

Merry Halloween from Brunswick, Maine, 1943

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 17:20:10 +0000

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Yet another Halloween photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

A real photo postcard with a Halloween portrait of kids (including twins?), a cat, and a jack-o'-lantern all posing on the front porch (see also a cropped version of the photo). The family sent this as a Christmas greeting (notice the decorative holly leaves and berries added at the bottom) to Miss Geneva B. Haley, Cornish, Maine. The card was postmarked in Brunswick, Maine, on December 17, 1943.

Handwritten message on the other side: "Yours was a lovely card. Peter read it to the other children. It's their favorite Christmas carol. Greetings from all, Cecil & Marion."

I don't recall ever seeing any other Halloween-themed Christmas cards.

John E. Kaughran and Company, Dry Goods, New York City, N.Y.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 16:51:34 +0000

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"Compliments of John E. Kaughran & Co., Dry Goods. 767 & 769 Broadway, cor. of Ninth St., New York."

This is one of a six-part "Comic Visiting" card series printed by E. Currier & Co., Boston (probably related to the Currier of Currier & Ives but I'm not sure how). Other cards show a woman offering a cracker to a parrot (see below), a man peering through his eyeglasses at an owl, and a baby dangling a cup or something else to get a dog's attention.

For the front and back of another Kaughran advertising trade card, see J. E. Kaughran, New York and John E. Kaughran, Dry Goods, New York (below).

Felix the Cat Fan Club Membership Card and Secret Code

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 17 May 2017 20:06:16 +0000

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A membership card for a children's fan club celebrating cartoon character Felix the Cat. The card also served as a way to encourage kids to watch the cartoons on Satellite Six, a TV show hosted by Glendora (Glendora Vesta Folsom) on WRGB in Schenectady, New York, in the early 1960s.

13 22-3-7-1 13-17 26-13-26-19-17 17-12-2-1 11-3-8 17-3-3 10-3-19-5 17-3 26-1-6-3-26-1 17-22-13-4! 8-)

Felix the Cat Fan Club

This is to certify that Eloise Trainor is now enrolled in Glendora's Satellite Six Felix the Cat Fan Club and is entitled to all privileges and special information reserved for members. Glendora, Commander, WRGB Satellite Six, 4:30, Monday-Friday. No. 65271.

Felix the Cat Secret Code

For members only!

(1) E, (2) K, (3) O, (4) S, (5) G, (6) C

(7) P, (8) U, (9) F, (10) L, (11) Y, (12) A

(13) I, (14) B, (15) J, (16) M, (17) T, (18) Q

(19) N, (20) W, (21) Z, (22) H, (23) X, (24) V, (25) R, (26) D

Messages will be given by numbers. Simply copy the numbers, then figure out the message.

I Am Honored to Be Your First Cat—Socks

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 17:42:16 +0000

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"The White House, Washington. Thank you for writing to me. I am honored to be your 'First Cat.' Socks."

An oversized postcard postmarked Washington, D.C., Sept. 28, 1993.

When Bill Clinton served as the 42nd President of the United States (1993-2001), Hillary was the First Lady and Socks was the First Cat.

I wrote to Socks after he became First Cat, and he graciously acknowledged my letter by sending me this postcard. I guess we'll learn who will become the next First Pet on Election Day tomorrow.

Meeting of Ye Halloween Spirits

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 20:34:46 +0000

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"Meeting of Ye Hallowe'en Spirits. This way! OWL."

In this unusual Art Deco postcard from the 1920s, pointy-eared Smurf-like creatures ride a turtle through the woods on their way to a meeting of Halloween spirits.

Halloween Greetings

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 03:38:32 +0000

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Margaret Evans Price (1888-1973), a co-founder of Fisher-Price Toys, illustrated this postcard, which was postmarked in 1916.

Happy Surreal Halloween

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 23:40:08 +0000

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Addressed on the back to Miss Anna Witmer, York , Pa., R.F.D. #12, but there's no stamp or postmark. Message: "From your Aunt Annie."

In this surreal scene from a Halloween postcard by publisher Raphael Tuck, a witch, black cat, and some devils fly out of the top of a creepy jack-o'-lantern centerpiece as children cower in the background.

See below for some other Tuck Halloween postcards.

Halloween–Friendly Fairy, Witch, or Fay, Fulfill the Wish You Wish Today

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 18:32:58 +0000

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"Hallowe'en. Friendly fairy, witch, or fay, fulfill the wish you wish to-day. Ellen H. Clapsaddle."