Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: surreal

What appears to be an odd game of hide-and-seek in a spooky forest is captioned "Peek-a-Boo, July 3, 1908," on the front of this real photo postcard. The image's irregular edges add to the strangeness of the scene. The imprint on the back—"W. W. Deatrick, Kutztown, Pa."—identifies this as a photo by William Wilberforce Deatrick (1853-1925), who was a longtime faculty member at what is now Kutztown University . Additional examples of Deatrick's photos are available for viewing in the Kutztown University Postcard Collection . See also " W. W. Deatrick Left His Mark at Kutztown ," an article by George M. Meiser that appeared in the Reading Eagle , April 6, 1983.

"A Happy Easter." These strange but distinguished chick musicians appear on a postcard that was postmarked in Baltimore, Md., on April 5, 1912.

Why is the witch holding a knife? Is that a plate of ice cream with a wedding ring on top? Is that a black cat or could it be a big rat? What is pumpkinhead boy smiling at? Why are some early twentieth-century Halloween postcards so puzzling?

A witch holds her broomstick tightly as she rides in the back seat of a watermelon car driven by a wide-eyed veggie creature. A black cat sits next to her, and a bat flies above. A date of "Oct. 31st, 1908" is written on the other side of this postcard, which was published by the British firm of Raphael Tuck & Sons and issued as part of its popular Halloween series 150 .

"May your Thanksgiving never end in dreams like these!" Postcard postmarked Milwaukee, Wis., Nov. 22, 1910. The foods of Thanksgiving haunt a boy's sleep in this nightmarish scene by illustrator H. B. Griggs (HBG). For two other Thanksgiving postcards by Griggs, see 'Rah, 'Rah, 'Rah, Thanksgiving!!! and Were It Not for Friday's Pain (below).

Addressed on the back to Miss Anna Witmer, York , Pa., R.F.D. #12, but there's no stamp or postmark. Message: "From your Aunt Annie." In this surreal scene from a Halloween postcard by publisher Raphael Tuck, a witch, black cat, and some devils fly out of the top of a creepy jack-o'-lantern centerpiece as children cower in the background. See below for some other Tuck Halloween postcards.

It's somewhat difficult to see, but the caption, "The Kids from Butler, Pa.," is written in gold lettering across the left side of this postcard. Multiple baby cards like this were published in the early twentieth century. Printed on the back: "Serie 1525. United Art Pub. Co., New York." Postmarked Butler, Pa., March 24, 1910, and addressed to Miss Twila Daniels, Clarington, Pa. Unsigned message on back: "I love my wife but O you kid . You know who."

Printed on the back of this postcard: "Serie 362. Pub. by Phila. Post Card Co."

"Easter Greetings." Postmarked Herman, Pa., March 22, 1913, on back.

"Easter Kind Wishes. E-105."

Postmarked Washington, D.C., Feb. 13, 1907, and addressed to Miss Camilla Paule, 3322 Newark Street, Cleveland Park, Washington, D.C. No message or signature other than what's written on the front of the card (in German?--I had trouble deciphering it). "Serie 319" printed on the back of the card.

Addressed to "Jamie Walter, Klahr, Blair Co., Pa.," and postmarked Klahr, Pa., sometime in 1907 (the month and day are undecipherable). Message: "All my wishes to you, Jamie." "Serie 410" printed on the back of the card.

Signed by (or noted as coming from) "Grandma" on the front and back, and addressed to "Miss Alma Seasholtz, Red Hill," although there isn't any stamp or postmark. "Serie 319" printed on the back of the card.