Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: silhouettes

A New Year card from John E. Cranfield (d. 1894?), who was a letter carrier in Albany, New York. Compare this card with A Happy New Year, Will D. Reiber, Letter Carrier . ?A Happy New Year? 1889 John E. Cranfield, Route No. 14. Ye Penny Post, 1839. Ye Letter Carrier, 1889.

"Witches Watch - Oct. 31st, '14. 8:00 p.m. - Masks! 2439 No. Eleventh Street. Admission - 25¢. ea. Guess you know who all!" Handwritten note on the back of the invitation: "George: Let me know if you come and how --singles or doubles! Marg. Hunsicker, 2852 N. Orkney St." A hundred-year-old Halloween party invitation! The flustered jack-o'-lanterns appear to be printed die-cut pumpkin shapes, but I'm not certain whether the witch silhouette was cut by hand or from a die. After using Google to search for the addresses (2439 N. Eleventh Street and 2852 N. Orkney Street), I believe that the location is probably Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was surprised to discover that I couldn't find any precedent for the term "Witches Watch." I assumed that watching for the appearance of witches would be a common activity--and party theme--during the Halloween season, but the only reference to a similarly named event that I was able to locate came from the Spokane Daily Chronicle , Oct. 21, 1937, p. 3: "'Witches' Watch Halloween Ball. Chewelah, Wash., Oct. 21--(Special.)--Witches and pumpkins of paper decorated the Masonic hall Wednesday night when the Eastern Star held its invitational dance. Refreshments were served." Or perhaps I have it all wrong--maybe the witches are the ones who are doing the watching. Or--on a sillier note--could it refer to a timepiece worn by witches? Any other sightings of "Witches Watch" out there?

A novelty advertising card for country musician Hank Keene's radio show that gives instructions for experiencing an afterimage of Keene's silhouette. Magic Picture - Hank Keene Keep your eyes on the white spots on the face and count slowly up to fifty. Then turn away from the picture and look at one spot on the ceiling. The picture will then appear before your eyes on the ceiling. If you keep your eyes on one spot on the ceiling the picture will appear and disappear several times. Amuse your friends by showing them this magic picture. Tune in on Hank Keene and his Radio Gang on station WHAS, Louisville, Kentucky, every morning except Sunday from 6:00 to 6:30 Central Standard Time.

This silhouette of a man wearing a hat and glasses (or a monocle?) is apparently cut from thin black paper. The Eiffel Tower at right, an unidentified building at left (anyone recognize it?), and an airship at top fill out the background of this souvenir postcard.

A Century of Progress, International Exposition, Chicago. Good for one admission to Fort Dearborn. Price 25¢ tax free. 1833-1933. L. R. Lohr, general manager. Rufus C. Dawes, president. A-216172.