Stars and Stripes

Although it's difficult to make out, the soldier at front middle is holding up a piece of cloth that looks like a pillowcase. Printed or embroidered on the cloth is an American flag along with the words "American Beauties." Notice, too, the soldier--perhaps a sergeant or other officer--at top middle who's standing head and shoulders above the rest. Rather than facing the camera like the others, he seems to be peering off in the distance at something out of the frame of the photo. Mouse over the image to see close-up views of sarge looking sideways and the pillowcase hold-up.

For the original photo, see American Beauties .

For the original photo, see American Beauties .

"Oscar G. Frederick" is written on the back of this real photo postcard. For a similar postcard, see World War I Soldier with Flag .

For a similar real photo postcard, see World War I Soldier Oscar G. Frederick with Flag .

A real photo postcard.

Two sailors "Just leaving Milwaukee," one with a drink in hand and the other with a gun at the ready! Yikes!

Although I have not been able to uncover any information regarding an "Ellen Probst," this postcard may have been used as a pitch card for a child performer in a sideshow or similar attraction. If so, the girl seems disconcertingly young to be working as a snake handler or charmer.

A real photo postcard view of a parade, possibly part of an Independence Day celebration, somewhere in the United States. Uncle Sam is marching along with a group of musicians dressed in what look like World War I-era military uniforms, while men in civilian clothes, many carrying flags, follow behind.

A parades photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. In this undated real photo postcard, a girl playing the part of Lady Liberty stands in a decorated car and holds her torch high as she poses for the photographer. A man and a woman (Lady Liberty's parents?) in the front seat of the car and three girls (her sisters?) in the back seat are also dressed in patriotic garb and seem to be awaiting the start of a parade (note the second vehicle behind this car). The word "Liberty" appears on the windshield of the car and on Lady Liberty's cap. If you look closely (mouse over the image above to see an enlarged view of the occupants of the car ), you'll notice that no one seems to be too enthusiastic about their participation in the parade--Lady Liberty is frowning, her mother is givng the photographer an icy look, the kids in the back don't seem happy, and dad is hiding his face. I certainly hope their moods changed once the parade began!

See also the full version of this real photo postcard:

License plate: "Penna. 1907 8267." Salvaged from a grimy real photo postcard.

"Camp Geo. G. Meade, Middletown, Pa. ________ 1898. Horse Shoe Plug Tobacco is the best." Top portion of a letterhead or billhead sheet--with a flag illustration and an advertisement for Horse Shoe plug tobacco--that was evidently printed for use at Camp Meade in Middletown, Pa., during the military camp's existence between August 24 and November 17, 1898. The 45-star version of the United States flag as seen here was in use from 1896 to 1908 (see the Historical Progression of Designs section in Wikipedia's Flag of the United States entry). As Wikipedia explains, " Camp George G. Meade near Middletown, Pennsylvania was a camp established and subsequently abandoned by the U.S. Volunteers during the Spanish American War. . . . Camp Meade was established August 24, 1898, and soon thereafter was occupied by the Second Army Corps of about 22,000 men, under command of Maj. Gen. William M. Graham, which had been moved from Camp Alger in an attempt to outrun the typhoid fever epidemic. Camp Meade was visited by President William McKinley on August 27, 1898. . . . Camp Meade was abandoned about November 17, 1898."

See also a detail showing a close-up of the flag image (below). Lasting Impressions Stare at this flag, dear friend, Then look away, The image still stands by you. If next Sunday, you'll attend Our Rally Day, Like impressions will then ensue. Directions. Take card in both hands, look steadily at small diamond shaped speck on flag, try not to blink, and count to 40 slow, then look up at sky or a light wall and picture will appear greatly enlarged. Keep looking at one spot for 10 seconds. Result--the actual picture will appear and disappear several times.

See also the full version of this postcard (below). Directions. Take card in both hands, look steadily at small diamond shaped speck on flag, try not to blink, and count to 40 slow, then look up at sky or a light wall and picture will appear greatly enlarged. Keep looking at one spot for 10 seconds. Result--the actual picture will appear and disappear several times.

"Buy the 'Empire' Wringer. Uncle Sam--'Take my advice, and if you want a surplus use the Empire well.'"

"Geo. Washington, first president of the U.S., 1789-1797. Design copyright 1908, by M. W. Taggart, N.Y."

"Wishing you luck."