Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: politicians

This is Thomas Dewey , the 1948 Republican presidential nominee, and his wife in an image from the televised broadcast of the 1948 Republican National Convention . The image is a photograph of the screen of a television set that received the convention broadcast in 1948. See also the full version of this photo and a snapshot of the actual Philco 48-1001 television set that was tuned in to the convention broadcast.

Handwritten caption: "Taken on our 10" television screen - June 24, 1948. Dewey nominated for pres."* This snapshot of 1948 Republican presidential nominee Thomas Dewey and his wife is actually a photo of an image from the screen of a Philco 48-1001 television set tuned in to the broadcast of the 1948 Republican National Convention , which "was the first presidential convention to be shown on 'national' television". In 1948, according to Wikipedia , "there were 27 television stations in full operation in the US and an estimated 350,000 TV sets in the whole country." For a better view of the televised image, see a cropped version of this photo. *Although the handwritten caption below the photo gives the date as June 24, it's possible that it was a day later, on June 25, 1948.

" E pluribus unum . Remember me." A Victorian-era hidden-name calling card with an illustration of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885). The colorful die-cut scrap was a memorial to the president, and it lifts up on the right-hand side to reveal the name of "Mabel E. Emerich" printed underneath.

"The White House, Washington. Thank you for writing to me. I am honored to be your 'First Cat.' Socks." An oversized postcard postmarked Washington, D.C., Sept. 28, 1993. When Bill Clinton served as the 42nd President of the United States (1993-2001), Hillary was the First Lady and Socks was the First Cat. I wrote to Socks after he became First Cat, and he graciously acknowledged my letter by sending me this postcard. I guess we'll learn who will become the next First Pet on Election Day tomorrow.

Cover of a small booklet containing information about the set of miniature presidential figures that was issued by toy manufacturer Louis Marx and Company in the 1950s and 1960s.

I sense that the bride and groom may have had some second thoughts as they posed for this photo. See also the full version of this photo. From the Dente Studio, Newport, Pa.

Be sure to take a look at the cropped version of this photo to see the charming expressions of the bride, groom, and other cute members of the bridal party. From the Dente Studio, Newport, Pa.

"I wish to extend my warmest congratulations on the occasion of your birthday. Mrs. Nixon joins me in extending best wishes that health and happiness may always be yours. Richard Nixon." This birthday greeting from President Richard Nixon dates to his time in office (1969-1974), and his signature is, of course, a printed facsimile. As the White House's Request a Presidential Greeting page explains, U.S. citizens are still eligible to receive a similar greeting from the current president: "Birthday greetings are available for civilians celebrating their 80th (or greater) birthday and veterans celebrating their 70th (or greater) birthday. Please make your request at least 6 weeks in advance of the birthday."

"GOP, Generation Of Peace, 1972. Thank you for your support." A block of political campaign stamps given to supporters and potential donors by Richard Nixon during his run for a second term as U.S. president in 1972. "GOP" refers here to "Generation of Peace," a phrase that Nixon used in speeches about ending American involvement in the Vietnam War, but it also means "Grand Old Party," which, of course, is another name for the Republican Party .

I believe it was U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt who said, " Speak softly, carry a big stick , and go roller skating." Or words to that effect.

"Father! I cannot tell a lie! I did it with my little hatchet!" For more information, see the front of this Washington Birthday Reception announcement:

"Washington Birthday Reception, Prof. Carroll's Auditorium, 1102 S. Broad Street, Monday, Feb'y 22, 8 to 12. Special attractions!" Today Washington's Birthday seems to be an excuse for car dealers to hold month-long "Presidents' Day" car sales. But once upon a time, the day to celebrate the first President of the United States was set aside for orations, teas , dinners , and other special celebrations. This paper hatchet is an announcement of one special Washington Birthday Reception that was held in Philadelphia, probably sometime in the 1890s (either 1892 or 1897, I believe, which were years when February 22 fell on a Monday). The apocryphal story about George Washington and the cherry tree is, of course, the reason for the hatchet shape, and the punchline to the story --"Father! I cannot tell a lie! I did it with my little hatchet!"--is printed on the other side (see below). Professor Carroll's title wasn't an academic rank like we use for college and university teachers today but instead identified him as a dance teacher. He may have been a member of the American Society of Professors of Dancing or one of the other dance teacher organizations that were established in the late nineteenth century (for more on this, see Philadelphia Dance Teachers: Taking Steps , a posting on the Philadelphia Dance History Journal blog). I haven't been able to determine what activities or "special attractions" might have taken place as part of Professor Carroll's Washington Birthday Reception from 8:00 p.m. to midnight on that Monday, February 22, although presumably dancing was involved. I did find this complimentary though vague description of a "monthly reception" that was held in 1894 (from A "Doings in Dancing Circles" column in the Philadelphia Inquirer , October 21, 1894, p. 15): "Professor Carroll's Auditorium, 1102 South Broad Street, was nearly full to overflowing at the monthly reception last Monday night, and a prettier picture than this beautifully decorated, brightly lighted hall, with so many handsome well-dressed people, could not be found. Mr. Carroll is such a genial whole-souled fellow and so capable of carrying out to a success such a party as this that one hardly ever questions who will be there, for they know in advance that every one and every one of the best would not be absent on such an occasion."

Caption: "Mrs. Cleveland." Name hidden underneath the printed scrap: "Rue Crounover" (see Explanation of Hidden Name Calling Cards for an illustration showing how these cards work). Grover Cleveland , the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, began his first term in office (1885-1889) as a bachelor, but married Frances Clara Folsom in 1886. She served as First Lady during the remainder of Cleveland's first term and again during his second term (1893-1897). President Cleveland was also featured on a similar calling card :

A "Step Down" sign (featuring a manicule or pointing hand mark, like this: ☞) at the Lincoln Train Museum, Gettysburg, Pa., August 12, 2011.

"Three cheers for George Washington."

"Pauline - The President's Cow. Mrs. T. W. Cochran." According to Wikipedia, " Pauline Wayne was a Holstein cow which belonged to William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States....From 1910 to 1913, Miss Wayne freely grazed the White House lawn. She was the last presidential cow to live at the White House and was considered as much a Taft family pet as she was livestock." I haven't been able to locate any information regarding Mrs. T. W. Cochran, who presumably was the photographer or postcard publisher.

This 1908 real photo tall-tale postcard by William H. Martin shows presidential candidate William Howard Taft (later president, 1909-1913) at a campaign whistle stop. Martin evidently intended the oversized vegetables that surround the railroad car and crowd to represent the prosperity that would result if voters elected Taft president.