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

Ruth and Sara on Board the L-21 Submarine, August 25, 1917

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:44:02 +0000

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of fancy studio backdrops.

A novelty photo with two young women in sailor costumes. The elaborate painted backdrop depicts an ocean of heavy waves with two ships billowing smoke on the horizon. A biplane is barely visible in the sky above them. The painted foreground features a submarine labeled "L 21 U.S." The submarine's hatch is open, its periscope is up, and it's flying an American flag.

Submarine hull: "L 21 U.S."

Handwritten caption: "R. Dodd. Sara Miller. 8-25-1917." Writing on the back also identifies the young women as "Ruth Dodd" on the left and "Sara Miller" on the right with the date given a second time as "8/25/1917."

For a similar real photo postcard, see Daddy on the Deck of the F-6 Submarine.

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.

Halloween Party Prisoners

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 02:33:58 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of funny costume or outfit (for Halloween or any other occasion).

Handwritten note on the other side of this photo: "Mary K. Anderson. Helen Troxell. (B. B. Kids). Halloween Party."

As the note suggests, Mary and Helen evidently dressed in black and white stripes in imitation of prison garb to wear as Halloween costumes Judging by the painted backdrop and window frame, they posed for the photo in a studio setting.

This is a divided-back real photo postcard. There's no address, postmark, stamp box, or any other information on the verso that would provide any clues to the location or date of the photo.

Man and Woman in Swimsuits, Atlantic City, New Jersey

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 02:14:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of one sitting, one standing.

A man and a woman -- single at the time but later married -- pose in swimsuits for a souvenir photo at a studio in Atlantic City, New Jersey, sometime in the early twentieth century. The painted backdrop shows waves breaking on a beach.

The woman is sitting awkwardly on a small table, with one foot underneath her and her other foot resting on the bottom shelf of the table. The man is standing next to her and also has one foot on the shelf. They're leaning in toward one other, and they each have one hand on the table top and the other hand on a hip.

Handwritten note on the other side: "Daddy & Mother when Single."

Printed on the verso: "Albert Studio, Ark Ave., and Beach, Atlantic City, N.J."

The Cyko stamp box ("Cyko - Place Postage Stamp Here") on the back of this divided-back real photo postcard indicates that it may date to sometime between 1907 and the 1920s.

Four Couples in a Car, 1942

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 03:49:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of friends. (The very first theme from May 27 to June 2, 2013, in celebration of the Vintage Photos Theme Park's tenth anniversary!)

A handwritten list of names and the year appear on the other side of this real photo postcard: "1942. Harry Trevis, Austin Lolly, Grace Barnard, Billie Miner, Lill Sanberg, Jean Olsen, Bill Ryan, & Jean Kearney."

A group of friends -- four couples -- sit in a car in front of a painted backdrop as they pose for a photo in an unidentified studio (possibly located in Coney Island).

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.

Three Gents in a Car

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 04:55:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A real photo postcard. The same automobile and painted backdrop also appear in a Police Car photo.

Beat Us If You Can

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 04:39:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Caption: "Beat us if you can."

Printed on the back of this unused real photo postcard: "Slater's Interurban Post Card Studio, 430 Superior St., Toledo, Ohio."

Judging by the design of the stamp box on the other side (it has the initials "PMC" and diamond shapes in each of its four corners), it's possible that the date of the photo may be as early as 1907 (see Playle's How to Identify and Date Real Photo Vintage Postcards).

For similar photos, see Two Jolly Good Fellows, Aunt Lora and Uncle Will Are Coming Home, March 10, 1908, and Men in Bowler Hats.

Paper Moon with Finnish Christmas Greeting, 1914

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 04:22:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A young woman posing with a paper moon. The sign in front of her says, "Hauskaa Joulua Ja Onnea Vuodelle, 1914-1915."

Google translation from the Finnish: "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 1914-1915."

This is an unmailed real photo postcard with an Azo stamp box (four corner triangles pointing up) on the other side, which suggests a time frame—1904 to 1918—that matches the holiday season—1914-1915—indicated on the sign in the photo.

Girl Reading the North American Newspaper (Detail)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 02:32:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A detail showing a close-up of the North American newspaper from a real photo postcard. For more information, see the original photo.

Girl Reading the North American Newspaper

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 02:32:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A photo of readers (people reading books or magazines) for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. (Or people reading newspapers? Hopefully my fellow VPTPers will indulge my topic drift from magazines to newspapers.)

A real photo postcard of a young girl holding an issue of the North American newspaper (mouse over the image for a close-up view of the paper—I haven't been able to determine a date or decipher any of the headlines, unfortunately).

The girl has a smirk on her face and a pair of pince-nez glasses on her nose as she looks down at her newspaper. I'm not sure what might be in the case that's on the floor next to her chair.

Elbl and Pietsch Cabinet Card Backmark

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 22:01:00 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Elbl és Pietsch, udvari fényképész, Fő utcza 18, Budapest.

Approximate translation: Elbl and Pietsch, royal photographer, 18 Main Street, Budapest.

Can anyone figure out the handwritten words at the bottom? Perhaps they're the names of the three women who appear on the front of this cabinet card:

Mother and Daughters, Budapest, Hungary

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 22:01:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A photo from Budapest for the Vintage Photos Theme Park in memory of our dear friend, Nori (see Sad News).

A mother and her two daughters posed for this cabinet card photo in the Budapest studio of Elbl and Pietsch sometime after 1897 (see below for the back of this photo). Note the girls' unique hairstyles and their fashionable dresses with enormous leg-of-mutton or gigot sleeves.

The painted backdrop is somewhat indistinct but what looks like the bottom of an elaborate staircase appears on the left. The chairs are made of bamboo (or perhaps faux bamboo) and are decorated with tassels.

As one girl sits in a chair holding a book, the other girl stands with one hand resting in a comforting gesture on her mother's shoulder. Her other hand is holding some flowers alongside the arm of her mother's chair.

So let's remember dear Nori and cherish the treasured images she has shared with us here on Ipernity and over on Flickr. Perhaps you'll want to compare this photo with the dozen other photos and backmarks from the same studio that Nori collected in her Elbl & Pietsch album on Flickr.

Boy with School Cone, Reichenbach im Vogtland, Germany, 1934

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 05:50:08 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A photo of something beginning with S—a Schultüte or school cone—for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

Photographer's stamp on the back of this real photo postcard. "Adolf E. Weiss, Reichenbach, I.V."

Handwritten note on back: "Reichenbach, 9.4. 1934."

A photo of a young boy holding a Schultüte (school cone) on his first day of school in Reichenbach im Vogtland, Germany, in 1934.

For similar photos, see My First Day of School, April 19, 1922, Petra's First Day of School, September 4, 1965, and other photos in my Schultüten (School Cones) album.

Man with Alligators and Coconut Tree, Miami, Florida, 1922

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 02:38:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A distinguished gent in a souvenir real photo postcard from "Miami, Fla., 1922," as it says on the tree stump. Looks like the poor fellow is fending off alligators with his cane as he poses in front of a scenic backdrop of ocean, sky, and coconut tree, all of which received appropriate tinting after the photo was developed.

For an untinted photo from the same studio, see Man and Dog with Alligators on the Beach (note that the tree stump is hidden behind the dog).