Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: Brown

"Oklahoma City, Apr. 19, 1906. Greetings from the future 'Popcorn King,' James Isaac Brown." "Popcorn King"? Huh? Well, after a bit of searching, I finally located a brief newspaper article, "Is Called 'Popcorn King,'" Oklahoma State Capital (Guthrie, Okla.), July 21, 1909, p. 2, that sheds some light on the subject: "Shawnee, Okla., July 20.--Four years ago Isaac A. Brown of Pittsburg, Pa., came to Oklahoma with a view of locating and establish[ing] himself in business. He saw his opportunity in Oklahoma City and embraced it. Brown is known far and wide as the 'popcorn king' of the new state [Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907]. He manufactures an average of thirty-five pounds of popcorn a day and a near total of six tons a year." As far I've been able to determine, Isaac A. Brown, the Popcorn King named in the article, is the father of James Isaac Brown, the Future Popcorn King who's pictured above. Unfortunately, I haven't found any further evidence regarding the later reign of father or son as Popcorn King. Etta Brown Tinkham, who wrote the message about the Future Popcorn King, was apparently James Isaac Brown's mother or stepmother. She wrote another message on a second real photo postcard on the same date as this one. See Armada and Her Mamma with Oklahoma Apple Blossoms, Oklahoma City, Okla., 1906 (is the Future Popcorn King holding the same kind of apple blossoms, or might he be grasping a handful of popcorn instead?).

"Joseph Brown's Singing Class! Admit the bearer." I bought this well-worn singing class ticket in Clarion, Pennsylvania, and I suspect that it originated in Pennsylvania or another state sometime in the nineteenth century. Even so, it's interesting to note that a Joseph Brown was conducting a singing class in New Zealand in 1875 as indicated by this brief note, which appeared in Auckland's New Zealand Herald on page 3 of the November 19 issue: "The members of Mr. Joseph Brown's part-singing class announce their intention of giving a complimentary benefit to that gentleman at the Lorne-street Hall, on Monday evening next week." No mention of any green tickets used for admittance to the class, though.

See also the full version of this real photo postcard.

"Brown Village" is the caption on this real photo postcard signed by "Frazer," but I haven't been able to figure out who constructed this miniature village, where it was located, and whether the buildings in it correspond to those in an actual town somewhere in the United States. Mouse over the image to see a close-up of part of the village . The buildings, some of which are labeled, include a "Cudahy Packing Co., U.S.A." plant, water mill, church, "General Store," "Hotel," "Village School," and "Black Smith" shop. The initials "TVB" appear on a water tank above the Cudahy Packing Company, and a small sign next to the plant says, "Please Do Not Touch." Unfortunately, I haven't been able to determine what TVB stands for, nor have I been able to match the miniature Cudahy company building with a specific location (according to Wikipedia, the Cudahy Packing Company operated in over 97 U.S. cities by 1922). So until additional information comes to light, Brown Village will have to remain hidden somewhere in the twilight of some unknown zone.

In recognition of National Doughnut Day , June 7, 2013. From Wikipedia: "National Doughnut Day is on the first Friday of June each year, succeeding the Doughnut Day event created by The Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the women who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I. The holiday celebrates the doughnut (a.k.a. 'donut') – an edible, torus-shaped piece of dough which is deep-fried and sweetened. Many American doughnut stores offer free doughnuts on National Doughnut Day." Don't Forget the Salvation Army (My Doughnut Girl) "Words by Elmore Leffingwell and James Luca. Music by Robert Brown and William Frisch. This song officially endorsed and adopted by the Salvation Army (official seal). Broadway Music Corporation, Will von Tilzer, president, 145 West 45th St., New York. E. E. Walton." Chorus: Don't forget the Salvation Army, Always remember my doughnut girl. She brought them doughnuts and coffee Just like an Angel, she was their best pal As brave as a lion but meek as a lamb, She carried on beside the sons of Uncle Sam. So don't forget the Salvation Army, Remember my doughnut girl.