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

Running Races in Folkestone?

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 04:58:02 +0000

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of shape up! (people exercising).

This is an early twentieth-century real photo postcard with the name "Lambert Weston & Son, Folkestone" embossed in the lower right-hand corner (the embossing isn't really visible in this image, unfortunately).

The photo shows a number of men who are getting some exercise by running a footrace. The runners, strangely enough, are wearing neckties and white shirts more suitable for an office than an athletic field. A large crowd has gathered to watch the competition, and a large round building is visible in the background.

The building in the background appears to be one of the Martello towers--"small defensive forts that were built across the British Empire during the 19th century"--and might be one of the towers that are located in Folkestone, Kent, England.

Jockey Chicks at the Easter Rabbit Race

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 08:48:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Easter joy attend you."

For a similar postcard, see A Very Happy Easter to You.

Delaware Horse Racing Ticket, 1952

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 17 May 2016 19:10:52 +0000

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A colorful daily double ticket used for betting on horse races at the Delaware Park Racetrack, Wilmington, Delaware, on June 14, 1952.

The Standard Rotary Shuttle Sewing Machine, the Lightest, Quietest, Swiftest Running Machine in the World

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 21:14:04 +0000

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"The 'Standard,' our name is our motto. 2000 turns in a minute, clear the track! Standard Rotary Shuttle. Compliments of the Standard Sewing Machine Co., Cleveland, O. The Standard Rotary Shuttle Sewing Machine, the lightest, quietest, swiftest running machine in the world. ________, agent. Johns & Co. Lith., Cleveland, O."

In the illustration on this nineteenth-century advertising trade card, the winner of the bike race is riding a high-wheel bicycle--or "penny-farthing"--that was somehow constructed using a giant version of one of the Standard Sewing Machine Company's rotary shuttles as one of the wheels. The cyclist following the winner wasn't using a rotary-shuttle wheel, so it's not surprising that he is falling flat on his face.

The obvious superiority of the winner's equipment hasn't been lost on the three immaculately dressed women and the young girl, all of whom have been watching the race. They're all staring intently at the winning cyclist, and one woman even appears to be waving her handkerchief at him. I suspect that all of the women and perhaps even the girl went out and purchased a Standard rotary shuttle sewing machine as soon as the race was over.

May Day Mayhem

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 01 May 2014 14:58:30 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Maypoles on May Day for the ABC Group (4/24/2017).

Mouse over the image above to see close-ups of the maypole on the left and the maypole on the right.

This real photo postcard shows the organized chaos of May Day festivities at a playground or schoolyard--location and date unknown, unfortunately--where two groups of students are dancing around two maypoles as other students and adults view the proceedings.

Could this be a maypole dance competition between two classes or schools? Are the two groups racing to see who will be the first to finish weaving their ribbons around their maypole?

It's not clear whether this is a competition, but it's interesting to note that older boys are holding up each maypole while girls wearing dark-colored skirts dance around one of them and girls in light-colored skirts dance around the other. Also, many of the boys standing in the background beyond the maypoles are wearing shirts emblazoned with the letter E, so I suppose it's possible that the clothes are athletic uniforms reflecting different classes or schools.

In any case, even if we can't tell exactly what's going on, the image provides an intriguing glimpse at a May Day celebration from days gone by.

May Day Mayhem (Maypole on the Right)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 01 May 2014 14:58:26 +0000

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For more information, see the full version of this photo.

May Day Mayhem (Maypole on the Left)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 01 May 2014 14:58:28 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

For more information, see the full version of this photo.