Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: pranks

"What the boys did to the cow." A comic Halloween postcard published by Julius Bien & Co. in 1908. This postcard was addressed on the other side to Miss Lille Collins, 122 Dickerson Street, Newark, N.J., and postmarked in Smyrna, Delaware, on October 30, 1911. Message: "Love to all, E.R.C." For a another card from the same publisher, see What the Pig Thought of the Ghost on Halloween .

"Nobody can April-Fool me. I am a fool. Bernhardt Wall. Copyright 1909 The Ullman Mfg. Co. N.Y." Printed on the other side of this postcard: "American Post Card. 'April Fool' Series No. 156. Subject No. 2490." This foolish fellow didn't fall victim to the Brick in a Hat trick, but he is wearing a "I am a fool" sign. For a similar April Fools' Day postcard, see They Can't April-Fool Us, Eh?

For similar April Fools' Day postcards, see Dear Sir, We Have This Day Doubled Your Salary, The Boss and Dear Sir, I Have Sent You Several Boxes of Cigars . April 1st Dear Sir, Pardon this intrusion, but as you seemed to scared to speak, or write, I took the liberty. Before proceeding farther I must tell you that I have a peculiar affliction. After drinking a few quarts of champagne, I sing, dance, and spout poetry. As my temperament is to love and be loved, I cannot resist the impulse, and don't! Understand, I am a perfect lady always, one who loves her home, but " Oh you kid ." So just press the button, and I will do the rest. Yours bubbling over with love. Mazie D.

"April Fool. Ha ha." A nineteenth-century calling card printed on marbled paper that has faded over time. Instead of a typical calling card with a name printed on it, some Victorian-era prankster handed out this card as an April Fools' Day joke. For another Victorian calling card printed on marbled paper, see Marian Reynolds .

Hallowe'en Pranks Halloween is sure to be Tonight your love you shall see. Another early "Hallowe'en Pranks" postcard published by the Stecher Lithographic Company used the same illustration but had a different rhyme: "This pumpkin face with merry gleam, / Will light your way on Hallowe'en."

"Dear Sir, I have sent you by express, prepaid, several sample boxes of my 15, 10, and 25 cent cigars. You will also find matches and a cutter in the package. Should they please you, just drop us a postal and we will send you more samples. Your obliging servant, A. Stogie, Cigar Maker. April 1st"

An undated red-border Kodachrome Duplicate slide. The honeymoon getaway car is a Ford Super Deluxe convertible with a 1949 Virginia license plate. This same car also appears in Newlyweds at the Hughes Dairy Bar, Tioga, Pa., 1949 .

"Good monring! They can't April-Fool us, eh? Kick me. Bernhardt Wall. Copyright 1909 The Ullman Mfg. Co. N.Y."

"Dear Sir, In recognition of your valuable and efficient services, we have this day doubled your salary and reduced your working time two hours. You will also find enclosed several shares in the business which we take pleasure in presenting you. Yours truly, The Boss. April 1st." Postmarked April 1, 1910.

"Don't walk around town placated as this chap is, remember it's April Fool! Kick me. Copyright 1908 P.C.K. August Hutaf."

"Don't be in a hurry to run home if someone tells you your house is on fire, it is only the work of an April Fool!"

"April Fool. August Hutaf. Copyright 1908 P.C.K. "

Or at least it looked like a runaway bride to me at first glance. After seeing what was written on the back of the photo, however, it appears that "Verla" (on the right) and an accomplice (on the stairs) are running out of the church in order to play a prank on the bride and groom by "decorating" their car ("Gil's car") in some amusing, inconvenient, or embarassing way. I still remember how some friends "decorated" the getaway car at my cousin's wedding by spraying shaving cream all over it. Handwritten description on the back of the photo: "Front view of church & shows how windy it was. Verla in foreground.They're on their way to decorate Gil's car." Dealer's handwritten caption on the back of the photo: "Holy #&@! Run!!"