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

Grand Spelling Bee, Fair View School, Mechanicsville, Pa., March 24, 1906

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 03:09:02 +0000

Katharine Hostetter Kauffman, later known as Katharine “Katie” Kauffman Herr (1886-1986), was the teacher who organized the spelling bee advertised on this handbill.

For a similar item from a later event, see Spelling Bee, Terre Hill, Pa., April 3, 1925.

Come One! Come All! To a Grand "Spelling Bee"

To Be Held at the
Fair View School
Near Mechanicsville
along Manheim Trolley Road

Saturday Eve., March 24, '06

Classes are as follows:
Class I. Open to Pupils of 11 years and under.
Class II. Open to all Public School Children.
Class III. Arithmetical Contest, open to all.
Class IV. General Information, open to all.

16 Valuable Prizes to be Distributed
The Program will consist of Music, Phonograph and School Recitations and Dialogues

General Admission - 10 Cts.
Proceeds to be used for the School Library.

Doors Open at 7 o'clock. Exercises begin at 7:30 o'clock.

Katharine H. Kauffman, Teacher.

Should the weather prove too unfavorable the Bee will be held the first fair evening following Monday.

L. B. Herr Print, 51-53 N. Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.

Season's Greetings from the Dé Lardis, 1938

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 02:15:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"The Dé Lardis. 1938 Season's Greetings."

Photographer Alfred A. Dé Lardi (1900-1993) created this small but unique greeting card that superimposed photos of himself, his wife Dorothy, and his daughters Janice and Yvonne onto individual playing cards (plus there's an extra card that doesn't have a photo). Since there's a total of three queens and two kings (three of a kind and a pair), I think he was suggesting that there was a "full house" at the Dé Lardi residence in 1938!

Alfred Dé Lardi was a well-known photographer who worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper, Holiday magazine, and various companies, including the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Philadelphia Electric Company.

He taught photography courses at a number of schools and colleges in the Philadelphia area, and he also authored or edited a number of books on photography, such as Let's Make a Portrait (1937), Your Child's Portrait (1937), and Ships and Water (1938).

A collection of Dé Lardi's works was held by the Philadelphia History Museum, and a finding aid, Alfred A. Dé Lardi Negatives and Photographs, circa 1929-1964, was formerly available through the University of Pennsylvania Libraries (unfortunately, the Philadelphia History Museum closed in 2018, but there are plans underway to transfer its collections to Drexel University).

I'd like to acknowledge Gary Discavage, a dealer at Apple Hill Antiques in State College, Pa., who graciously gave me this photographic greeting card. Gary originally received the card from Alfred Dé Lardi, who was his friend and neighbor when he lived in Philadelphia. Thanks, Gary!

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.

Halloween—Woman with Bowl and Jack-o'-Lanterns

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 03:55:08 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Hallowe'en. HBG." Printed on back: "2215. Printed in Germany."

A Halloween postcard illustrated by H. B. Griggs. Other cards in Griggs' 2215 series of postcards show women who are holding a candle and mirror, bobbing for an apple on a string, or tossing an apple peel over a shoulder. Each of those other postcards depict traditional Halloween fortune-telling activities or games intended to reveal the identity of a future husband.

I haven't, however, been able to figure out what the woman on this postcard is doing. She appears to be holding her hand over a bowl as steam or smoke rises from it, but I haven't uncovered any descriptions of similar Halloween practices.

Quirky Costumed Couple

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 01:15:10 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park monthly topic of costumes and uniforms—Halloween, theatrical, and other kinds of costumes, or uniforms from medical, military, and other settings (submit a photo on this topic each week in addition to—or instead of—a photo for the weekly topic).

Is it a ghostly apparition or just some out-of-focus Halloweeners? Sometimes it's hard to tell.

A red-border "Kodachrome Transparency," circa 1955.

E. S. Ilgenfritz (1897-1937), Photo Developing and Printing, York, Pa.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 05:30:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"E. S. Ilgenfritz, Developing & Printing, 34 N. Albemarle St., York, Pa."

This is the photographer's stamp on the back of a curious photo of four men. One of the men is sitting in the driver's seat of an automobile, and the other three are standing next to the auto with pies in their hands. See Simply Simon with Some Piemen Going to a Fair?

Edward Samuel Ilgenfritz (1897-1937) was only 40 years old when he passed away. His obituary doesn't mention photography, and his stamp only specifies photo "developing & printing," but I'm guessing that he was also a photographer.

Star-Shaped Logo with Extracted Teeth, Dr. A. A. Wasson Billhead, Dental Surgeon, York, Pa., April 22, 1893

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 03:52:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A portrait of Dr. Andrew Aikens Wasson (1844-1918), a dentist from York, Pennsylvania, is the main feature of this star-shaped logo from the billhead he used in the 1890s. The design also includes a heart, a pair of pointing hands (manicules), and—holy molar!—two extracted teeth.

For the full billhead, see Dr. A. A. Wasson Billhead, Dental Surgeon, York, Pa., April 22, 1893.

Saint Patrick's Day Greetings with a Heart and a Hand

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 03:46:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"A heart and a hand, / All thy own to the last. Th. Moore."

Postmarked in Ellicottville, N.Y., March 16, 1909.

The couplet on this postcard is from a poem, "Come, Rest in This Bosom," by the Irish poet Thomas Moore.

Dick Tracy Says That a Good Soldier Knows Jiu Jitsu

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 22:31:16 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Private William Lengle, a soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, during World War II, filled in the blanks on the front of this Dick Tracy postcard, added a message on the back (see below), and sent it to a friend in Shoemakersville, Pennsylvania. Lengle jokingly claimed that he knew "jo-jo," a nonsensical martial-art name that sounds similar to jiu jitsu, and that he was learning "love."

"Licked again Junior? Why don't you pick up a few pointers in self defense from Pvt. Lengle. A good soldier knows jiu jitsu, and jo-jo--right how he's learning love."

Postmark on the back of the postcard: "Fort Bragg, N.C., Jul 28, 1943."

Message on back: "Dear Ralph, Just a few lines to let you know I am fine. I hope you are too. Ruby [Ralph's nickname?], how are things getting along. I hope fine. I am still here and boy if they don't soon send me out, I'll go crazy. Ruby, we are painting just now and that ain't so bad, so I hope to get shipped out pretty soon. Well I'll say so long because I must go and box tonight so keep 'em flying, Your pal, Bill."

Frederick H. Stowe, Stove Founder and Manufacturer, Troy, N.Y., ca. 1882

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 21:47:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Frederick H. Stowe is listed as a "stove manufacturer" ("founder" is someone who owns or operates a foundry) in the Troy, New York, city directory for 1882, but the Troy directory for 1883 indicates that he "removed to Albany." After moving, he went into business with William F. Burden and operated a stove foundry in Albany under the name of Burden & Stowe from 1883 to 1887.

Frederick H. Stowe, Stove Founder

Manufacturer of ranges, cook and parlor stoves, sinks, hollow ware, &c. Troy, N.Y.

Salesroom, corner of Paine and Hamilton Streets, Green Island.

Presented by ________.

Cohoes horse cars run within one block of the door.

C. L. Hartz, Dealer in Meats and Cheese, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 18:43:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A business card by Pluck Print with an illustration of anthropomorphic pigs by the Philadelphia engraving firm of Crosscup and West.

C. L. Hartz

Dealer in all kinds of first-class smoked meats, such as ham, dried beef, bologna, breakfast bacon, &c

Cheese: New York state, full cream, imported Swiss, sapsago, kimmel, and Limburger.

223 East Frederick St., Lancaster, Pa.

At Northern and Central Markets.

Avenue C, stalls 37 and 39, Northern Market.

Pluck Print.

Buyers Office. Crosscup & West, Phila.

Stoverdale Camp, Season Meal Ticket, 1932

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 04:54:14 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Stoverdale Camp. Season Ticket (Whole). M________. Not transferable. Present ticket at each meal."

A meal ticket dated 1932 by the dealer I bought it from. This was evidently printed for use at the Stoverdale Camp Meeting grounds that were located near Hummelstown in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

For more examples of meal tickets, see Wallace Hotel Meal Ticket, Harrisburg, Pa., The Lee House Meal Ticket, and Meal Ticket Good Only at Circle Bar, Reading, Pa. (below).

I Am Simply Killing Time!!

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 08:06:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"I am simply killing time!!"

Here's a Wireless Telegram—Be My Valentine

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 13:55:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Here's a wireless telegram
That I will send to you
I'm in love with you—I am
I love you 'deed I do
Be my valentine.
R. F. Outcault

Cartoonist Richard F. Outcault (1863-1928) featured Buster Brown and his dog Tige—both of them winking and smiling—in this valentine from 1904.

Will You Be My Socialist Valentine?

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 04:53:30 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"To my valentine. I'm a socialist, will you be one? Free drinks, free money, free love. Ellam."

Postmarked Saginaw West Side, Mich., Feb. 4, 1911, and addressed to Ward Brown, 820 North Mason, Saginaw West Side.

Handwritten message: "I hope you are as I am and don't forget that day. You know and I know, and why should we forget it."

Artist-signed postcard by William Ellam.

Hooray! Let the Christmas Cooking Begin!

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 04:25:32 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

In this undated slide, two exuberant women commence Christmas cooking in the kitchen.

Santa Claus decoration on the wall: "Merry Christmas. Happy New Year."

First Pick

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 18:27:08 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"First Pick. O. L. Schwencke, lith., N.Y."

A cigar box label printed by O. L. Schwencke. Notice how a box featuring this label appears within the design of the label itself. This recursive picture-within-a-picture is called the Droste effect, which is named after the Droste cacao tin that featured an illustration of a nun holding the tin.

Gas on Stomach for 20 Years

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 22:32:57 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Gas on Stomach for 20 Years. Exercies to help constipation (page 8). What to eat (page 12)."

Constipated? Bloated? Nauseated by ads that discuss such topics? Then this small 1930s advertising booklet is for you! It discusses the benefits of Adlerika, a patent medicine that contained Epson salts and other ingredients with laxative properties.

Do you suffer from other afflictions that you'd rather not discuss in mixed company? Then you only have to flip this reversible booklet over to read about the vitality of Vinol (see the cover on the other side below).