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

Blasting Stumps on the Isted Farm

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 01:11:02 +0000

"'Blasting stumps' on the Isted Farm. Whipple Photo."

A dramatic real photo postcard showing the detonation of dynamite or some other explosive in an apparent attempt to clear tree stumps from a field.

Evidently, though, the blast didn't look impressive enough, so the photographer drew on the negative to add large pieces of fake debris flying high into the air. It also appears that the photographer crossed out an earlier caption and wrote the words "blasting stumps" over it.

I haven't been able to determine the location of "Isted Farm" or the identity of the "Whipple Photo" photographer.

Man with Alligators and Coconut Tree, Miami, Florida, 1922

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 02:38:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A distinguished gent in a souvenir real photo postcard from "Miami, Fla., 1922," as it says on the tree stump. Looks like the poor fellow is fending off alligators with his cane as he poses in front of a scenic backdrop of ocean, sky, and coconut tree, all of which received appropriate tinting after the photo was developed.

For an untinted photo from the same studio, see Man and Dog with Alligators on the Beach (note that the tree stump is hidden behind the dog).

Bear on a Car

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 04:28:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Caption: "A native of Penn.'s Grand Canyon makes a call. 301."

A real photo postcard by photographer Nelson Adelbert Caulkins (1874-1965).

Seems a bit scary to me, but the woman doesn't appear to be too concerned that there's a bear on top of her car.

July 5—The Morning After

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

Alan Mays has posted:

"The Morning After. July 5. Witch hazel, liniment, arnica. F.L. 219/6. Gene Carr."

Postmarked at Milton Mills, New Hampshire, on July 6, 1915.

Cartoonist Gene Carr's postcard demonstrates the dire results of a dangerous evening of Fourth of July fireworks in the early twentieth century. On July 5th, the heavily bandaged kid now needs a crutch for walking, as well as medications—witch hazel, liniment, and arnica—for treating aches and pains. The poor cat obviously didn't fare too well either.

The ill effects of holiday fireworks are also the subject of early stereographic cards like The Glorious 4th of July / The 5th of July.

Dear Miss, I Will Risk Everything Depicted Here

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 21:33:22 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Dear Miss, I will risk everything depicted here if you will permit me to see you as far as the gate. Yours very truly."

Danger—Keep Away from Edge of Cliff

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 23:25:52 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Sign: "Danger. Keep away from edge of cliff."

Unless you're having your picture taken, of course!

Photograph Your Boy Before the Fourth of July—You May Not Get a Chance After

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 16:56:05 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Fotograph your boy before the 4th of July: you may not get a chance after."

Macabre photographic advice from an early twentieth-century postcard.

For more dark humor about Fourth of July fireworks, see The Glorious 4th of July / The 5th of July:

The Giant Cracker Is a Big Red Brute

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:52:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"The giant cracker is a big red brute, with a tail that's like a snake. You can easily tell when they're about, by the awful noise they make."

An anthropomorphic firecracker strikes fear into the hearts of the local populace.

Man and Dog with Alligators on the Beach

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 15:25:35 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

I hope they escaped in time!

A Florida souvenir real photo postcard. Postmarked: Miami, Florida, Nov. 13, 1923. Addressed to: Mr. Adam Petcher, Box 515, Somerset, Pa.

Working Out on the High Beam

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 20:49:49 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A real photo postcard, date and location unknown.

The Glorious 4th of July / The 5th of July

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:13:01 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

These stereographic cards are in poor shape even after some touch-up, but they're intriguing--and almost macabre--for their depiction of the perils of fireworks.

Captions: "The Glorious 4th of July. No. 1." "The Fifth of July. No. 2."

Printed on the front: "American and Foreign Views. Sold only by canvassers. New Educational Series. Stereoscopic views."