Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: 1896

A child's ticket for a steamboat trip on the Schuylkill River between Reading, Pennsylvania, and the Klapperthal Pavilion, which was located outside of town and contained a dance floor, restaurant, and other amenities. The back of the ticket is stamped "Jul. 4, 1896." Captain John A. Hiester (1842-1922) built boats and ran steamboats on the Schuylkill for many years. See also Reading Steamboat Company Ticket, Reading, Pa., to High's Grove . Steamboats Iona, Golden Eagle, and Atlantic Reading to Klapperthal and return (down) (up). Capt. John A. Hiester. Children's ticket.

"Wishing You a Happy New Year, J. P. Baker, Trav. Ag't, Harrisburg, Pa. Buckeye. 1895. 1896. Buckeye. J. H. Trezise, 1125-27 N. Third St., H'b'g." This is a unique photographic New Year greeting that depicts Father Time--carrying an old-fashioned scythe and designated as "1895"--worriedly running away from an overdressed gent who's uttering the word "Buckeye" as he tips his hat and rides atop a newfangled "1896" mechanical reaping machine pulled by a bevy of Cupid-like putti . The inset to the right of this imaginative scene is a photo of "J. P. Baker," who's identified as a traveling agent (salesman) from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Dressed in a hat, cravat, vest, and suit coat, Baker appears to be the model for the gussied-up guy riding the reaper. Although I haven't uncovered any specific information regarding J. P. Baker, I suspect that he may have worked for Aultman, Miller & Co., manufacturer of Buckeye Harvesting Machinery, which had an office at 625 Walnut Street in Harrisburg, according to Boyd's Directory of Harrisburg and Steelton for 1895. The company sold a variety of agricultural equipment for mowing, reaping, threshing, and other tasks (to see a fascinating early silent film clip of a Buckeye machine in operation in Australia, take a look at Wheat Harvesting with Reaper and Binder -1899 ). J. P. Baker evidently used this photograph to wish a happy New Year to his friends and business associates and to promote himself and his Buckeye machines to customers.

Albert Charles Leonard also was the author and publisher of The Boys in Blue of 1861-1865: A Condensed History Worth Preserving (Lancaster, Pa.: A. C. Leonard, 1904). Compliments of Chaplain A. C. Leonard, Lancaster City Who as a candidate for Clerk of Orphans' Court in 1893 received almost 3,000 complimentary votes, and respectfully asks your kind consideration fot the same office at the Republican primary election in 1896. Four years a soldier and ten months a prisoner of war in Belle Isle and Andersonville prison pens where 14,000 of his companions died from privation and exposure. Andersonville prison pen.

Church groups and other organizations used variations of this poem to invite members to "Birthday Party" gatherings that were both social get-togethers and fundraising events. See additional examples from 1910 and 1912 (below). Birthday Party, in the Methodist Church, Parryville, Tuesday evening, February 18, 1896, at seven o'clock. Invitation. This "Birthday Party" is given for you, 'tis something novel, something new. We send to you a little sack--please either send or bring it back With as many cents as you're years old, we vow the number will ne'er be told. Methodist people with greetings hearty, fell sure you'll attend your own birthday party. Benefit of the Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist Church. Cake and coffee free.

Notice! On account of bad weather and roads the New Year's Party at Hotel Curtis, Barnes Corners, N.Y., was postponed until Friday evening, Jan. 10th, 1896. All are cordially invited to attend. G. S. Curtis, prop'r.