Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: September 16

A Howe U.S. Standard Scales weight card from the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Fair held in Philadelphia in 1879. For another early weight card, see Certificate of Weight, Electrical Advertising Scale Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. The Improved Howe U.S. Standard Scales No. 213 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. L. Y. Whitehead Weight 158½ lbs. Sep. 16th, 1879 State Fair

"Guaranteed--to rid any cellar of rats, roaches, or other undesirable creatures. In case of failure to do so as represented, your money cheerfully refunded and no questions asked . September 15th, 1906 A.D." Addressed to: Miss Olive L. Carpenter, Box #99, Yantic, Connecticut. Postmarked: Philadelphia, Pa., Sep. 16, 1906. Judging by a Find A Grave search, the recipient of this real photo postcard was probably Olive L. Carpenter Bullard (1878 - 1917) ("wife of E. E. Bullard"), who is buried in the Yantic Cemetery, Norwich, Connecticut. If so, she would have been 28 years old when she received this postcard in 1906 and only 39 when she died in 1917. I wonder if it was her husband who sent her this card. For another real photo postcard with a similar "scare away the rats" joke, see Use This to Keep the Mice and Rats Away (below).