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

Sending You My Picture So You Will Fall in Love

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 03:24:02 +0000

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the topic of nautical.

The handwritten message on the other side of this real photo postcard says, "I['m] senting [sending] you my pitcher [picture] so you will fall in love with me. Your friend, A.M., USS Mercury."

There's no stamp or postmark on the verso, but the card is addressed to Miss Ida Nelson, Lakeport, N.H.

Printed on the other side: "This Photo can be Enlarged or Duplicates made at the Modern Studio, 46 Sands St., Brooklyn, N.Y."

This is a divided-back photo postcard with a type of Azo stamp box (four corner triangles with two pointing up and two pointing down) that suggests a date as early as 1917 to 1930.

Mother and Child

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 02:34:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of infant adoration (babies with those who love them) .

This is an unused real photo postcard with a nicely lit portrait of a doting mother and her young child.

The Azo stamp box (with four corner triangles pointing up) printed on the other side indicates that the photo may date to sometime between 1904 and 1918.

Lovey-Dovey Couple in Boat

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 03:55:58 +0000

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A photo of people exchanging "a look" that the photographer has captured perfectly for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

Never mind that it's a fake look in a fake boat—the photographer who created this real photo postcard has captured a studio scene of a man and women looking into each other's eyes and pretending to be in love. I just hope that the swan got out of the way before it got caught in the wake of the speeding boat!

Hankerchief Flirtation Card

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 05:22:02 +0000

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The notion that men and women could use handkerchiefs to secretly signal their romantic intentions may seem far-fetched, but that's the idea behind this "Handkerchief Flirtation" list.

In fact, using hankies to flirt seems downright dangerous. You might accidentally drop your handkerchief on the floor and end up telling the wrong person, "We will be friends." Or even worse, you could draw your handkerchief across your cheek as you blow your nose, inadvertently saying, "I love you."

Despite the potential for miscommunication, flirtation lists like this circulated widely in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In addition to handkerchiefs, you could supposedly also use flowers, gloves, parasols, hats, cigars, pencils, and even buggy whips and handheld fans for covert courtship.

For further discussion of these secret flirting methods, see the following:

Esti Brenna, From the Stacks: Victorian Courtship and the Language of the Fan, Clements Library Chronicles, June 6, 2012. "Unfortunately, the fan language--and other, similar codes like the language of the handkerchief and the language of the parasol--were largely the result of advertising campaigns meant to popularize and sell accessories. There is little evidence that the fan language was ever in widespread use, though the concept was satirized by several writers in the 18th and 19th centuries."

Natasha Frost, The Victorian Cards That Explained How to Use a Book to Flirt, Atlas Obscura, March 23, 2018. A "Book Flirtation" card and other alleged flirting techniques. (Full disclosure: I'm quoted in this article, and it includes some of my calling and acquaintance cards.)

Handkerchief Flirtation

Drawing across the lips—Desirous of an acquaintance.
Drawing across the eyes—I am sorry.
Taking it by the centre—You are too willing.
Dropping—We will be friends.
Twisting in both hands—Indifference.
Drawing across cheek—I love you.
Drawing through hand—I hate you.
Letting it rest on right eye—Yes.
Letting it rest on left cheek—No.
Twisting in the left hand—I wish to be rid of you.
Twisting in the right hand—I love another.
Folding it—I wish to speak with you.
Over the shoulder—Follow me.
Opposite corners in both hands—Wait for me.
Drawing across the forehead—We are watched.
Placing on the right ear—You have changed.
Letting it remain on the eyes—You are cruel.
Winding around forefinger—I am engaged.
Winding around third finger—I am married.
Putting it in the pocket—No more at present.

Will You Be My Socialist Valentine?

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

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"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.

May Love Light Your Halloween Lantern!

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 04:30:10 +0000

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"May love light your Hallow-e'en lantern! H.B.G."

A Halloween postcard illustrated by H. B. Griggs (H.B.G.).

For another Griggs card, see Have a Devilishly Happy Halloween.

Gas on Stomach for 20 Years

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

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"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).

No Man Loves a Tired Nervous Woman!

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 22:32:59 +0000

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"No Man Loves a Tired Nervous Woman! Nor does a woman love a pepless man. How to get friends (page 9). How to hold your husband's love (page 12)."

Are you tired, nervous, or--ahem!--pepless? If so, then you would surely benefit from reading this small 1930s advertising booklet. It extols the virtues of Vinol, a patent medicine that contained ingredients such as cod liver oil and beef peptones, plus alcohol (as much as 15 percent).

Do you suffer from other unpleasant afflictions instead? Then you merely need to flip over this reversible booklet (similar to an upside-down book or a tête-bêche binding) to read about the wonders of Adlerika (see the cover on the other side below).

Advice to the Lovelorn–Give Him Plenty of Encouragement

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 10 May 2017 16:16:48 +0000

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"Advice to the Lovelorn. If he is bashful, I would advise you to give him plenty of encouragement. Put your arms around me–so! Oo-oo, I don't like ter! August Hutaf. P.C.K. 1908."

One in a series of humorous "Advice to the Lovelorn" postcards by illustrator August Hutaf (1874-1942). For more of his work, see Advice to Vacationists–Take the Children with You (below) and my other Hutaf postcards.

I Surrender My Heart and My Love for Thee

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 19:50:46 +0000

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Although this postcard--with a postmark dated February 13, 1911--is intended to convey a patriotic sentiment, the idea of Cupid kneeling down and holding up what appears to be a still-steaming heart makes it feel too much like a sacrificial offering to me.

To My Valentine
To the banner above
I surrender with glee,
My heart and my love;
Dearest Sweetheart for thee.

Votes for Women Valentine—No Votes, No Hearts

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 20:10:15 +0000

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A die-cut Valentine greeting card with a suffragette girl giving a soapbox speech about women's voting rights. It wasn't until the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920 that all women in the United States had the right to vote.

For another copy of this card, see "No Votes No Hearts," Comic Valentine, ca. 1910-1920 over on Flickr.

Votes for Women—No Votes, No Hearts.

If words could tell of all the love within this heart of mine.
I'd keep on speaking till I'd won you for my Valentine.

Oh You Lobster!

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 20:22:42 +0000

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Oh You Lobster!
With all your faults tell us why
Our love for you, you can't deny.

For other lobsters, see To My Valentine, A Lobster I Am and Always Will Be and Oh! You Lobster.

Halloween Pranks—You Shall See Your Love Tonight

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 16:18:28 +0000

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Hallowe'en Pranks
Halloween is sure to be
Tonight your love you shall see.

Another early "Hallowe'en Pranks" postcard published by the Stecher Lithographic Company used the same illustration but had a different rhyme: "This pumpkin face with merry gleam, / Will light your way on Hallowe'en."

Whip and Fan Flirtations

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 22:21:12 +0000

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Flirtation lists like the ones printed on this card also circulated in books, newspapers, and other media in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These lists suggested that common objects like buggy whips and handheld fans could be used by men and women to secretly signal their romantic intentions, but the coded gestures really seem too complicated for easy communication. Flowers, handkerchiefs, gloves, parasols, hats, cigars, and pencils were other items allegedly employed for covert courting.

For more on flirtation cards and acquaintance cards, see "When 'Flirtation Cards' Were All The Rage," an article by Linton Weeks on the NPR History Dept. blog.

See The Ghost Card, or the Skeleton on the Wall (below) for the other side of this card.

Whip Flirtation

Holding stock in left hand and lash in right—Desirous of an acquaintance.
Holding the same, and placing center against the waist—I am sorry.
Holding in left hand by center—Will you bathe with me?
Lash in right hand, stock down—I love you.
Same in left hand—I hate you.
Taking in both hands by center—I love another.
In center, hands crossed—We are watched.
Right hand in center, left on lash—Yes.
Left hand in center, right on lash—No.
Butt against right eye—I am engaged.
Against the left eye—I am married.
Holding it with the left hand against the right shoulder—Follow me.
In right hand against left shoulder—Wait for me.
End in each hand, center bent down—You are cruel.
Same, with center up—You are too willing.
Winding lash around forefinger—Repeat your last signal.

Fan Flirtation

Carrying in right hand in front of face—Follow me.
Carrying in left hand in front of face—I wish to be acquainted.
Placing on right ear—You have changed.
Twirling in left hand—I wish to get rid of you.
Drawing across the forehead—We are watched.
Carrying in right hand—You are too willing.
Twirling in right hand—I love another.
Closing—I wish to speak to you.
Drawing across eyes—I am sorry.
Resting on right cheek—Yes.
Resting on left cheek—No.
Open and shut—You are cruel.
Dropping—We will be friends.
Fanning slowly—I am married.
Fanning quickly—I am engaged.
Handle to lips—kiss me.
Shut—you have changed.
Open wide—Wait for me.
Drawing through hand—I hate you.
Drawing across cheek—I love you.

Tales of Love

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 02:20:06 +0000

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"When other lips and other hearts / Their tales of love would tell, / Remember, oh! remember, pray, / That l___s go to h__l. Needle-Points."

Printed on the back of this postcard: "B.B. London & New York. Series N.P. 1. Printed in America."

The first two lines of this quatrain ("When other lips and other hearts / Their tales of love would tell") come from the beginning of a song, "You'll Remember Me," from the opera The Bohemian Girl. The last two lines ("Remember, oh! remember, pray, / That liars go to hell"), however, are unique to this postcard, which probably dates to the 1910s.

For the original song, see the full lyrics to Then You'll Remember Me on the Aria Database, or listen to John McCormack sings, "Then You'll Remember Me," from Balfe's The Bohemian Girl, 1916, on YouTube.

Magic Ray Valentine

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 22:03:48 +0000

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An Art Deco mechanical valentine (moving the cape causes the arms to move up and down) from the 1930s. Sort of scary--hope she was able to escape!

You built a wall
So fast and strong,
But with my magic ray
It won't last long!

Queen of the Universe Valentine

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 22:03:50 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

An Art Deco mechanical valentine (moving the arm causes the eyes to move back and forth) from the 1930s. This reminds me of Slim Pickens riding the bomb down to the ground at the end of Dr. Strangelove.

"Queen of the Universe"
We seem so far apart--
Please aim your trusty rocket
Directly for my heart!

See also Magic Ray Valentine:

What Color Eyes Do You Like Best?

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 14:29:18 +0000

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"What color eyes do you love best? Perhaps blue and light hair. Send me a card [to say] when you will be over. All O.K. but mamma has the grippe. Here comes Tom. Campers by the creek. Jolly time. Tell Alice 'Hello' for me. Ever yours, Mariett."

Postmark on back: Hubbard, Ohio, Oct. [6?], 1908.

Addressed on back to: "Miss Mina Clark, Hubbard, Ohio. R.F.D. #2. c/o Mr. Taylor Carnahan."

Handwritten message on back: "10-6, '08. Hello Kidds! Where are you and what are you doing anyway? Why did you not come over as you said? I have 'sore eyes' looking for you. Would you be the doctor? How are the folks?"

It's a "Snap" to Love You Valentine (Detail)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 22:50:38 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

See also the full version of this valentine:

It's a "Snap" to Love You Valentine

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 22:50:40 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A St. Valentine's Day or love photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

Mouse over the image to see an enlargement of the top portion of the card.

"It certainly is a 'snap' to love you" is the caption for this valentine, which includes an attached photograph--a snapshot, of course--to deliver it's punning message.

The photo shows a young girl who's wearing headphones (or perhaps some kind of radio headset--are those antennas extending from each side?), and she appears to be startled by what she's hearing.

It's not obvious why the card publisher chose the girl's photo for this valentine. Was she a child actress? Were the headphones new and trendy? It's certainly not a snap to figure out!