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

Opening Party Ticket, Fox's Hall, South Worcester, N.Y., December 15, 1887

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 10 May 2026 05:19:57 +0000

A Victorian-era ticket with a unique border and striking typefaces.

Typefaces: Bank-Note Italic Ornamented, 1875 ("Opening Party") , Mystic, 1882 (“Fox's Hall, South Worcester, N.Y.”).

Thanks to Florian Hardwig for identifying the typefaces.

Opening Party at Fox's Hall, South Worcester, N.Y.

Thursday Evening, Dec. 15, 1887
Music by Belcher's Full Band.

Yourself and lady are respectively invited.

Bill $1.50.

J. D. Beard, Manager. E. Fox, Prop'r.

Halloween Party Invitation, Lancaster, Pa., October 31, 1912

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 03:10:50 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Eight years after Alice Graybill and her sisters held their Halloween party at 718 North Plum Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the 1920 United States Federal Census recorded that the Graybills still lived at the same address. Alice was 31 years old in 1920, and she worked as a weaver in a silk mill. The census listed Alice as the owner of the home and the head of the household.

There were six family members living at the house on Plum Street that year:

-- Alice W. Graybill, 31, single, head of the house, weaver, silk mill
-- Susan W. Graybill, 29, sister, weaver, silk mill
-- Ada W. Graybill, 27, sister, cleaner, silk mill
-- Weidler Graybill, 25, brother, machinist, machine shop
-- Marie Graybill, 15, sister, winder, silk mill
-- Grace Graybill, 12, sister, no occupation listed

So at the time of their Halloween party in 1912, Alice and her sisters would have been about 23, 21, 19, 7, and 4 years old (perhaps they allowed brother Weidler at age 17 to attend, too).

Alice eventurally married, and as Alice Graybill Harrington (1888-1969) she lived to the age of 80.

For some other early twentieth-century Halloween invitations, see:

-- Witches Watch Halloween Party Invitation, October 31, 1914
-- A Halloween Masquerade Invitation! October 23, 1920
-- Greetings for Halloween—Invitation for Revelry on Mystic Halloween, 1923

Yourself and friend are cordially invited to attend
A Hallowe'en Party

to be given at the home of
Alice Graybill and sisters

On Thursday evening, October the thirty-first
nineteen hundred and twelve

No. 718 North Plum Street, Lancaster, Pa.

R.S.V.P.

A Halloween Masquerade Invitation! October 23, 1920

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 03:10:48 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

I'm guessing that a masquerade held near the end of the month of October in the year MCMXX (or 1920 in Arabic numerals) would have had something to do with Halloween. One of the classes—juniors, sophomores, or freshmen—at an unidentified high school or college evidently created this invitation to ask the seniors to come to a party "garbed in costumes appropriate for th' occasion."

Also, someone used a pencil on the invitation to darken the masquerader's ruffle and add lines to some of the squares in the plaid clothing design.

A Masquerade!

When? Saturday, October 25, MCMXX at 7:30 o'clock.

Where? In the Conference Rm., News Bld'g.

Hark, ye seniors: come garbed in costumes appropriate for th' occasion.

Greetings for Halloween—Invitation for Revelry on Mystic Halloween, 1923

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 03:10:46 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A 1923 invitation for a Halloween get-together at the Edwin Forrest House, which was the location of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women (now the Moore College of Art and Design).

I haven't been able to determine whether "Amy Lee" and "Mrs. Kuhir" were associated with the school in any way.

Greetings for Halloween

We invite you to meet with us at Edwin Forrest House at the hour of any o'clock to hold revel on the mystic Hallowe'en.

Handwritten note on the back of this postcard: "To Mrs. Kuhir, All good wishes from Amy Lee. 1923."

Printed on the back: "Series No. 297, Hallowe'en, 6 designs."

The Marietta Dancing Class, Second Sociable, Marietta, Pa., Feb. 22, 1887

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 27 May 2019 05:57:20 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A ticket or invitation for the "Second Sociable" held by the Marietta Dancing Class in Marietta, Pennsylvania, on February 22, 1887. I haven't been able to locate any information about the dancing class or Samuel B. Gramm's role as instructor. The date of February 22 suggests that the dance may have been a celebration for George Washington's Birthday.

The Marietta Dancing Class

S. B. Gramm, instructor,

Invite you to attend their Second Sociable,

on Tuesday evening, Feb'y 22d, 1887, at the Marietta Rink

Music by Taylor's Orchestra.

Lady's Invitation, Eighth Annual Picnic of the Philadelphia Assembly, Strawberry Mansion, Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 1, 1856

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 04:03:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Eighth Annual Pic Nic of the Philadelphia Assembly. Lady's Invitation. Strawberry Mansion. Monday, Sept. 1st, 1856."

A lady's embossed ticket or invitation for the annual picnic of the Philadelphia Dancing Assembly that was held at Strawberry Mansion in 1856.

See also the similarly named Lady's Invitation, Reliance Fire Company, 15th Annual Ball, Jan. 1, 1879.

Universal Ball, Keene, New Hampshire, March 5, 1852

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 06:57:41 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A ticket or invitation for a "Universal Ball" held in Keene, New Hampshire, on March 5, 1852.

As listed on the ticket, musician S. K. Conant played both the violin and the "Kolquearougion," an instrument he invented. Although a newspaper article in 1859 called his invention the "Kolquearougion Bells," I haven't been able to uncover any additional information about it.

Universal Ball

Your company, with ladies, is respectfully solicited at the Town Hall, in Keene, on Friday evening, March 5, 1852.

Music by Hall & Conant's Celebrated Lowell Brass Band.

D. C. Hall, cornet and bugle; S. K. Conant, violin and Kolquearougion; B. Hall, clarionett and piccolo; G. P. Kittredge, violin and prompter; W. Bennett, bass.

Tickets, $1.50, to be obtained of authorized agents, and at the door.

Dancing to commence at seven o'clock.

Let Me Take the Liberty

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 17 May 2017 20:02:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Let me take the Liberty to invite you to the Fifth Annual Ball of the Original Ulster Social Club, Incorporated, at Tammany Hall, 14th Street near Third Avenue, Wednesday evening, Jan. 23, '07. Music by Prof. D. J. Lent's Full Orchestra. Tickets, admit gent and ladies, incl. wardrobe, 50 cents. Two gold prizes will be drawn for. Martha. 815 . . . 1905, F. S. Backus"

Postcard addressed on the other side to Leon Closson, Whitehall, Wash. Co., New York, Box 554, and postmarked Brooklyn, N.Y., Jan. 16, 1907.

This 1907 invitation or advertisement was overprinted on a humorous postcard dated 1905. A quick search didn't turn up any information regarding the Ulster Social Club, but Wikipedia Commons has an image of Tammany Hall as it appeared in 1914.

Old Folk's Ball, Litchfield, New Hampshire, March 3, 1869

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 21:02:30 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A ticket or invitation for an "Old Folk's Ball" held in Litchfield, New Hampshire, in 1869.

"Old Folk's Ball at Town Hall, Litchfield, on Wednesday evening, March 3d, 1869. Your company, with ladies, is respectfully solicited. Floor managers: S. Kennard, S. Chase, I. N. Center, R. Frye, Isaac McQuesten, John White. Good music will be in attendance. Dancing to commence at 8 o'clock."

Halloween Party Invitation, Lancaster, Pa.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 18:37:22 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"You are invited to attend a Hallowe'en party to be given by the employees of the Lancaster Stanley-Warner Theatres at the Capitol, Saturday nite, November 1, 11:30 p.m. This invitation admits one. Fifty cents."

For other vintage Halloween party invitations, see Witches Watch Halloween Party Invitation, October 31, 1914, Halloween Party Invitation with Bat and Witch, Come to a Hallowe'en Party, and Yooooo Are Invited to a Halloween Party (below),

Next Sunday Is Rally Day

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 20:27:06 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

The inside of a Rally Day Treasure Chest, which has a postcard backing. Mouse over the image to see the closed (folded) treasure chest.

Next Sunday is Rally Day

The day of 100% attendance in our school. We must have you present to make our goal! Let's make our school better than ever!

The contents of the treasure chest are all for you: The Book of Books. A Place of Prayer. A Place of Song. A Happy Place. God Is Here! Helpful Friends. Truth and Honor Taught Here. Golden Hours.

Our Rally Day Treasure Chest

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 20:27:08 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A folded die-cut Rally Day postcard. Mouse over the Rally Day Treasure Chest to open it and see what's inside.

Grand Picnic, Fairhope, Pa., July 4, 1916

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 20:01:07 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Picnic. There will be a grand picnic held at Fairhope, July 4, 1916. We have erected a large waxed floor for those who wish to enjoy dancing. There will be refreshments of all kinds served on the grounds. Everybody cordially invited. Kennell & Sturtz, managers."

This comes from a photo of a broadside framed under glass rather than a scan, and the quality of the image suffers a bit. "Sturtz," who was one of the managers of this "grand picnic" held on the Fourth of July one hundred years ago, was probably John W. Sturtz, who was my great-grandfather. I'm not exactly sure what "grounds" in the small town of Fairhope, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, might have been available as a venue for serving refreshments and erecting a "large wax floor" for dancing.

Grand Independence Ball, Oaksville, New York, July 3, 1883

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 22:05:11 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Grand Independence Ball at Reynolds Hall, Oaksville, Tuesday eve., July 3, 1883. Yourself and ladies are invited. Music by Wager's Band. Bill $2. A. C. Reynolds, prop'r."

An advertising trade card announcing a Fourth of July dance in Oaksville, New York.

Father! I Cannot Tell a Lie!

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 03:28:56 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Father! I cannot tell a lie! I did it with my little hatchet!"

For more information, see the front of this Washington Birthday Reception announcement:

Washington Birthday Reception, Philadelphia, Pa., 1890s

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 03:28:58 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Washington Birthday Reception, Prof. Carroll's Auditorium, 1102 S. Broad Street, Monday, Feb'y 22, 8 to 12. Special attractions!"

Today Washington's Birthday seems to be an excuse for car dealers to hold month-long "Presidents' Day" car sales. But once upon a time, the day to celebrate the first President of the United States was set aside for orations, teas, dinners, and other special celebrations.

This paper hatchet is an announcement of one special Washington Birthday Reception that was held in Philadelphia, probably sometime in the 1890s (either 1892 or 1897, I believe, which were years when February 22 fell on a Monday). The apocryphal story about George Washington and the cherry tree is, of course, the reason for the hatchet shape, and the punchline to the story --"Father! I cannot tell a lie! I did it with my little hatchet!"--is printed on the other side (see below).

Professor Carroll's title wasn't an academic rank like we use for college and university teachers today but instead identified him as a dance teacher. He may have been a member of the American Society of Professors of Dancing or one of the other dance teacher organizations that were established in the late nineteenth century (for more on this, see Philadelphia Dance Teachers: Taking Steps, a posting on the Philadelphia Dance History Journal blog).

I haven't been able to determine what activities or "special attractions" might have taken place as part of Professor Carroll's Washington Birthday Reception from 8:00 p.m. to midnight on that Monday, February 22, although presumably dancing was involved. I did find this complimentary though vague description of a "monthly reception" that was held in 1894 (from A "Doings in Dancing Circles" column in the Philadelphia Inquirer, October 21, 1894, p. 15):

"Professor Carroll's Auditorium, 1102 South Broad Street, was nearly full to overflowing at the monthly reception last Monday night, and a prettier picture than this beautifully decorated, brightly lighted hall, with so many handsome well-dressed people, could not be found. Mr. Carroll is such a genial whole-souled fellow and so capable of carrying out to a success such a party as this that one hardly ever questions who will be there, for they know in advance that every one and every one of the best would not be absent on such an occasion."

Escort Card, 1880s

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 03:19:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"M________. May I have the pleasure of your company to attend a ________ to be held at ________ on ____ day of ________ 188__ at ____ o'clock __M. If so, please sign your name on the back of this card and return to me. ________."

An escort or acquaintance card from the 1880s. For a discussion of these types of cards, see the article "When 'Flirtation Cards' Were All The Rage," by Linton Weeks, on NPR's Web site.

Pumpkin Social on Thanksgiving Day

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 16:32:46 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A poetic invitation to a church fundraising event featuring pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day. The card is not dated, and I have not been able to determine the city or state where James P. Wolff's residence on South Broad Street may have been located.

A Google search turned up a brief mention of a similar gathering in 1896: "A Pumpkin Social at Thanksgiving was a novelty, the proceeds furnishing eleven baskets of food for our poorest families" (Sixteenth Annual Report of the General Board of Managers of the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the Year 1896-97, Cincinnati: Western Methodist Book Concern Press, 1897, p. 115).

--------

Pumpkin Social
Thanksgiving Day Evening
Residence Mr. J. P. Wolff, South Broad St.

A pumpkin seed in my garden fell,
And it grew, and grew.
And it said to the Rose of Sharon blossoms
"A Thanksgiving pumpkin I'll be to you.
Let me be of use to get,
Money on the new church debt.
My heart when freed form all its eyes,
Makes delicious pumpkin pies.
Call your friends and make a feast.
Give each one a great big piece,
Accompanied by a glass of milk.
Soon over town, 'twill be the talk.
Some wax candles you must put,
In the arm holes of my coat,
For a jack o'lantern fine,
On the gathering throng to shine.
In my pocket there is room for a lot of silver coin.
Even my seeds may be of use,
While concealed they're hard to guess."

Now have the roses of Sharon agreed,
To the plan of Thansgiv'g pumpkin seed
So we've come to invite you to the treat,
At the home of Jas. Wolff, South Broad St.
Remember the time, Thanksgiving day,
Don't anyone think of remaining away.
Bring all your friends, don't let the time pass
Without lending your aid to our S.S. class.

Witches Watch Halloween Party Invitation, October 31, 1914

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:41:48 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Witches Watch - Oct. 31st, '14. 8:00 p.m. - Masks! 2439 No. Eleventh Street. Admission - 25¢. ea. Guess you know who all!"

Handwritten note on the back of the invitation: "George: Let me know if you come and how--singles or doubles! Marg. Hunsicker, 2852 N. Orkney St."

A hundred-year-old Halloween party invitation! The flustered jack-o'-lanterns appear to be printed die-cut pumpkin shapes, but I'm not certain whether the witch silhouette was cut by hand or from a die. After using Google to search for the addresses (2439 N. Eleventh Street and 2852 N. Orkney Street), I believe that the location is probably Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

I was surprised to discover that I couldn't find any precedent for the term "Witches Watch." I assumed that watching for the appearance of witches would be a common activity--and party theme--during the Halloween season, but the only reference to a similarly named event that I was able to locate came from the Spokane Daily Chronicle, Oct. 21, 1937, p. 3: "'Witches' Watch Halloween Ball. Chewelah, Wash., Oct. 21--(Special.)--Witches and pumpkins of paper decorated the Masonic hall Wednesday night when the Eastern Star held its invitational dance. Refreshments were served."

Or perhaps I have it all wrong--maybe the witches are the ones who are doing the watching. Or--on a sillier note--could it refer to a timepiece worn by witches? Any other sightings of "Witches Watch" out there?

Evening Basket Sociable Invitation, Maytown, Pa., October 12, 1895

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 01:40:12 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Basket. Yourself and friend are cordially invited to attend an evening sociable, complimentary to Mr. Clayton W. Souders, on Saturday evening, October 12, '95. Meet at his home, near Maytown, at 7 o'clock. Committee: Mary K. Felker, Lizzie H. Farmer. Should the weather be unfavorable the sociable will be held the following Wednesday evening."