Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: contests

Who was that masked man? Why, Uncle Sam, of course, though his appearance here was for Halloween rather than the expected Fourth of July holiday. You may also want to take a gander at the full photo .

Uncle Sam makes a holiday appearance for—the Fourth of July? Nope, it was a prize-winning Halloween costume in Sunbury , Pennsylvania, on October 31, 1931. A handwritten note on the back of this snapshot describes the scene as "Uncle Sam in full costume, Oct-31-1931. Best masked person at Sunbury street frolic. Grand champion premium of $1.50." You can take a closer look at that champion mask, or check out a different Uncle Sam from Michigan .

Kids, It's Here! The New Mystery Atomic-Jet Flying Saucer. Watch it sail way up in the air--you can make it fly higher than a tall building. It will do five airplane stunts, too. Get several of them--and have flying saucer contests! Even dads go crazy over it. Be the first in your neighborhood and amaze your friends. Atomic-Jet Flying Saucers and extra flying wheels on sale at ________.

"Thank you! Each loaf of Sunbeam you buy is a vote for me. I'm in line for prizes in the big contest if you keep backing me. ________ (sig.) Your Sunbeam Salesman." Hat: "Sunbeam Energy Bread." As Wikipedia explains, " Sunbeam Bread is a franchised brand of white bread, rolls, and other baked goods owned by the Quality Bakers of America cooperative. The bread products are produced and distributed by regional bakeries....The brand was launched in 1942 and was first marketed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania." In the 1950s and 1960s, Quality Bakers ran contests with cars as prizes for the salesmen who handled Sunbeam and its other brands of bread. This poster, which dates to 1960, was probably distributed to grocery stores.

Only $20 for This Brand New 1935 Automatic Washer If you hold the lucky key you save $35. --- The first 200 women calling at our store will each receive a key. Yours may be the lucky one. If your key is the first one to unlock the padlock, then you secure this splendid automatic electric washer, a $55.00 value, for only $20.00. --- Remember: Be at our store with your key at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, September 14, 1935. Keys will be tried in padlock at that hour. --- It's the opportunity of a lifetime! You may never have such an offer again. Costs you nothing to try. Simply come to the store now and get your key, then try it in the padlock on the day and hour specified. You may be the happy owner of an "Automatic," a favorite washer with women for over a quarter century. Read the specifications at left of this modern, beautiful washer that any woman would be proud to own. --- Lowest cost per washing with its patented "Stokes" ball-bearing drive. Its quiet, smooth operation is a revelation. Automotive type control for greater convenience. Fast, clean washings with its modern, high-wing aluminum agitator that makes a full 5/8ths turn. Massive rust proof "Chamberlain" wringer with highest grade rubber balloon rolls Adjustable pressure. Newest type quick tension release. Large capacity Armco iron tub finished in beautiful white porcelain. Base and legs a rich black Efficient 1/4 H.P. motor specially mounted in rubber cradle. Newest and best construction known. --- Get you key now! --- A $55.00 value, for only $20.00 to holder of lucky key. You save $35.00. --- Levi W. Mumma, Flora, Penna.

Maypoles on May Day for the ABC Group (4/24/2017). Mouse over the image above to see close-ups of the maypole on the left and the maypole on the right . This real photo postcard shows the organized chaos of May Day festivities at a playground or schoolyard--location and date unknown, unfortunately--where two groups of students are dancing around two maypoles as other students and adults view the proceedings. Could this be a maypole dance competition between two classes or schools? Are the two groups racing to see who will be the first to finish weaving their ribbons around their maypole? It's not clear whether this is a competition, but it's interesting to note that older boys are holding up each maypole while girls wearing dark-colored skirts dance around one of them and girls in light-colored skirts dance around the other. Also, many of the boys standing in the background beyond the maypoles are wearing shirts emblazoned with the letter E, so I suppose it's possible that the clothes are athletic uniforms reflecting different classes or schools. In any case, even if we can't tell exactly what's going on, the image provides an intriguing glimpse at a May Day celebration from days gone by.

For more information, see the full version of this photo .

For more information, see the full version of this photo .

"Rosie Fink, Frank Loveccio, Ann Molash, Stanley Forte, Bobby Smith, Carolyn Ramos, Jimmie Barrett, Jo-Jo Delago, Muggsy Hurley." A real photo postcard of dance marathon contestants, date and location unknown. Frank Loveccio, second from left, later became famous as a singer and actor under the name Frankie Laine . For another group photo that includes Frank Loveccio/Frankie Laine, see Prize-Winning Couples, Ruty's Walkathon, White City Park, Pottsville, Pa., 1934 .

"Dancingly Yours, Mary O'Connor, Chas. Cucci, Team #9." This real photo postcard is one of a series of photos that was used to promote George L. Ruty's "walkathon" (a contest similar to a dance marathon), which was held at White City Park, an amusement park located near Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in 1934. For another photo taken in front of the same bandstand, see Prize-Winning Couples, Ruty's Walkathon, White City Park, Pottsville, Pa., 1934 .