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

Reider Family Picking Blackberries, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1913

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:12:02 +0000

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of fruit.

Caption (vertically along the left-hand side): "Reider Family Picking Black-Berries, Lanc. Co."

A real photo postcard of Edward H. Reider (1875-1942) and his family. It's addressed on the other side to Mr. David Spangler, Lebanon, Leb. Co., Penn., Rout. 2, and postmarked in Elizabethtown, Pa., on September 10, 1913.

Message: "Elizabethtown, Pa., Sept. 1, 1913. Friend, We are all well as you see on the face of this card. Hoping youence [i.e., you-uns or youns] are all the same. Truly yours, E. H. Reider."

Men Behaving Badly — Celluloid Photographic Medallion

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 02:17:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of bad habits.

The man at upper left is smoking a cigar as he opens a bottle of wine. The man at upper right also has a cigar in his mouth and is holding a bottle in one hand as he reaches down with the other to give the man at lower left a drink.

There's no date, location, or manufacturer indicated on this celluloid photographic medallion, which consists of a metal backing and a photograph covered by celluloid, an early type of plastic.

For additional examples, see my album of Celluloid Photographic Medallions and the George Eastman House's collection of Celluloid Medallions & Buttons on Flickr.

See also Gerald Perlman and David Trachtenberg's book, Collecting Celluloid Photo Medallions, published by Victoria Victoriana Antiques in 2014.

Souvenir Photo of Man and Woman at the Wawona Tree

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 03:30:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A photo of people in or by distinctive trees for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

A man and woman pose with their automobile at the Wawona Tree, a giant sequoia in Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California. The sign on the left says, "Wawona, diameter 26 feet, height 227 feet, roadway cut in 1875" (Wikipedia, however, indicates that 1881 was when the opening was cut through the tree).

The Wawona Tree fell to the ground in 1969 after a heavy snowfall. It was about 2,300 years old.

Three Guys on a Glider Swing

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 20:40:38 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

For a similar real photo postcard, see Three Gals on a Glider Swing.

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.

Dapper Double Dude

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 04:56:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of double or triple exposure.

A well-dressed fellow poses -- twice! -- at a bench in the back yard for this double-exposure photo.

This is a real photo postcard with a divided back and a type of Azo stamp box (with four corner triangles pointing up) on the other side that suggests a possible date that may be as early as 1907 to 1918.

Flying High over Yarmouth

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 01:11:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of Watch the skies! -- UFOs, airplanes, birds, clouds, or anything else that might be up there.

The hard-to-read handwritten note on the other side of this divided-back, real photo postcard says, "Rose sitting, [Lill?] Jennings standing, ... and myself at Yarmouth."

The Yarmouth location and the roundels on the wings of the airplane suggest that this is a souvenir photo from England. But what's the meaning of "O.K" and "R.U." on the fuselage? And was there actually a three-seater biplane that looked something like this?

Flash

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 17:09:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of steps, stairs, staircases.

This is a real photo postcard of young women standing on the steps leading up to the entrance of a building. They're wearing uniforms with scarves or neckerchiefs, and the banner they're holding simply says, "Flash." In the corners of the banner are what seem to be drawings of stylized top hats. Peeking out from below the banner are two pairs of what might be athletic shoes.

Although someone over on Flickr amusingly suggested that this might be an early example of a flash mob, I suspect that these young women belonged to a club or sports team at a high school or college. But I'm not sure what "Flash" meant to them or why the top hats -- if that's what they are -- appear on the banner.

One-Minute Churn, L. H. Chambers, Cumberland, Maryland

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 04:30:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of pick your own (post a photo depicting your favorite theme from the past year).

As my favorite of the year, I'm choosing the theme of pick a particular format (daguerreotype, cabinet card, CDV, real photo postcard, cyanotype, slide, Polaroid, or what have you?). And among those formats, I'm selecting real photo postcard, as I did previously in March (see Foursome Flying over Long Beach, California, 1914).

I took a quick look at my postings to the Vintage Photos Theme Park during 2023, and I discovered to my surprise that the majority of my weekly contributions -- more than thirty! -- were real photo postcards.

This photo postcard, captioned "One Minute Churn, L. H. Chambers, Cumberland, Md.," shows Lorenzo Hazell Chambers (1877-1958) standing next to a mechanical butter churn. He has a wide grin on his face, and he's resting his left hand on top of the churn.

Perhaps Chambers intended to use this card as an advertisement for selling churns (the One-Minute Churn Company solicited sales agents -- see the company's ad below), even though the photo quality is poor and the image seems quite cloudy.

This real photo postcard is unused, without any address, message, stamp, or postmark. The Kruxo stamp box design on the other side suggests a possible date that may be as early as 1908 to 1910. Also printed on the verso: "The C. C. Bickert Post Card Co., Hagerstown, Md."

The following advertisement for the patented One-Minute Churn appeared in Hardware magazine, April 10, 1905, p. 11.

Butter in One Minute

The only perfect milk and cream aerator churn in the world, making the best granular butter from sour or sweet cream in a minute -- which we guarantee -- is the One Minute Churn. Protected by 57 patents.

Its construction is perfect in every detail. All parts interchangeable and carried in stock. Easy to run, holding 1 quart to 13 gallons.

For farm and family use.

Our Catalogue tells all. Mention Hardware.

Agents wanted. Cable address: "Minute" or "Murphite" New York.

I. M. Murphy, president.

The One Minute Churn Co., Inc., 9 Old Slip, New York, U.S.A.

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.

I'll Eat Oranges for You in Los Angeles — You Throw Snowballs for Me

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 00:53:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of tree (in a studio photo).

Caption: "I'll Eat Oranges for You — You Throw Snow Balls for Me."

This is a real photo postcard sent sometime after Thanksgiving in 1922 from "Aunt Orpha" in California to "Master George Myers" in Burbank, Ohio.

Printed on the other side: "Orange Grove Souvenir. Novelty Studios, 520 S. Broadway & 414 W. 7th, Los Angeles, Cal."

Handwritten message: "My dear George. This man is a male nurse. He was in training when I was. We had a turkey dinner [on] Thanksgiving. What did you have? Aunt Ella was with us and your Uncle Tom's niece. By-by. Your Aunt Orpha."

The "eat oranges" / "throw snowballs" caption appeared on souvenir photo postcards like this one that tourists in sunny California could send to relatives enduring winter weather back home. For another example, see I'll Eat Oranges for You—You Throw Snowballs for Me.

Gladys and the Iceberg, Moffat, Colorado, 1911

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 01:24:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of cold, freezing, or frozen.

Handwritten caption: "Gladys & the Ice Burg, Moffat, Colo."

This is a real photo postcard addressed on the other side to Miss Grace Roger, Rich Mountain, Ark., and postmarked Moffat, Colo., March 1, 1911.

Message: "Moffat, Colo., March 1, 1911. Hello Girlie,You bet I recd your letter and answered it & am anxious for an answer. Want to hear the rest of that news you have for me. Does this look like spring. This is some of my own work. This is a water tank where the railroad engines get a drink. Say but I would enjoy a sweet breath from those fruit tree blossoms. There isn't such a thing in this desert. We are fine & dandy. Write soon you naughty girl. As ever, M."

For a similar photo, see Frozen Water Tower.

The Deestrick Skule, Strasburg, Pennsylvania, ca. 1910s

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 01:59:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of when I grow up (children dressed as adults or dressed for work, e.g. as policeman, nurse, train driver, etc.). It also fits the monthly theme of group portraits.

Caption in the upper right-hand corner: "The Deestrick Skule." A penciled-in dealer's note on the other side identifies the location as "Strasburg, Pa."

This is a photo of children dressed in costumes to portray pupils, the schoolmaster, school committee members, and local citizens for a play about the funny goings-on at the old-time "Deestrick Skule" or district school -- the one-room schoolhouse of the early nineteenth century (not the school districts that resulted from the later consolidation of these small schools).

Mrs. M. H. Jaquith of Topeka, Kansas, was the author of The Deestrick Skule of Fifty Years Ago (1888) and "Exerbition" of the Deestrick Skule of Fifty Years Ago (1890). Both of these provided scripts and suggestions for producing local theatrical productions that could accommodate fifty or more participants (there are forty kids in this photo).

The Cyko stamp box (Cyko 5, variation A2.66) on the other side of this divided-back real photo postcard has an earliest known usage date of May 2, 1910, according to Brogan and Weseloh's Real Photo Postcard Guide (2006).

Archers on the Woodpile

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 04:24:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of odd, unusual, or quirky.

Trick photos with double exposures usually involve typical scenes with props like wheelbarrows (see A Man Simultaneously Pushing and Riding a Wheelbarrow) or playing cards (Aunt Maggie's Trick Shot). The setting for this one, however, is rather unusual.

A huge pile of firewood dominates the scene. On the left, two boys stand at the bottom of the woodpile. Partially visible behind them is a farm wagon and beyond the wagon are some trees. Both boys are looking toward the photographer. One of them is pointing toward the top of the pile and wielding a piece of wood as if he intends to use it as a weapon. The other boy is about to start climbing up the pile.

On the right, standing at the top of the woodpile are the same two boys. They're both drawing bows as if they're about to shoot arrows, but neither of them has an arrow.

So, it appears that the storyline is that the boys are about to climb the woodpile to stop themselves from shooting arrows as they stand on top of the pile. Or at least that's all I can make of it.

The Conductor of the Band at the Zillertal Beer Hall, Hamburg, Germany, ca. 1960s

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 04:54:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of booze and music.

"Hamburg-St. Pauli. Zillertal bleibt Zillertal." ("Zillertal remains the Zillertal.")

Partially visible on the wall in the background: "Schaug das'd in Schwung kimmst!" (According to one source, this translates as "I see you come to life" in the Bavarian dialect).

This is a souvenir real photo postcard from the Zillertal, a Bavarian-style beer hall that was located in the notorious Reeperbahn area in the St. Pauli district of Hamburg, Germany. The man wearing a suit and holding a baton is a tourist pretending to be the conductor of the house band, whose lederhosen-clad members are surrounding him. Other souvenir photos typically show the band with groups of tourists holding mugs of beer.

See the Zillertal, Hamburg section of the Reardon Smith Ships site for photos of the exterior and interior of the Zillertal along with two more souvenir pictures.

Robert and Maud Pulling a Wagon

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 03:43:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of horses, carriages, or wagons.

The handwritten message on the other side of this real photo postcard says, "This is our horses Robert & Maud in front of Fulton Miller's house." There's no stamp or postmark, but the card is addressed to "Mr. Glen[n] Lyle, RFD, Brookville, [Pennsylvania], c/o Herbert Lyle." The Velox stamp box (with diamonds in the corners and "Place Stamp Here" in the middle) indicates that it may date to as early as 1907-1917.