Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: looking

This is a postcard that's addressed on the other side to Miss Nellie Groves, Greenland, West Virginia. It was postmarked in Maysville, West Virginia, but the date is missing. Handwritten message: "Hello Nellie, How are you by this time. I am going to school today, when are you coming over. This is from your beau. Henry." For a similar postcard, see Here Is Looking at You .

A 1923 invitation for a Halloween get-together at the Edwin Forrest House , which was the location of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women (now the Moore College of Art and Design ). I haven't been able to determine whether "Amy Lee" and "Mrs. Kuhir" were associated with the school in any way. Greetings for Halloween We invite you to meet with us at Edwin Forrest House at the hour of any o'clock to hold revel on the mystic Hallowe'en. Handwritten note on the back of this postcard: "To Mrs. Kuhir, All good wishes from Amy Lee. 1923." Printed on the back: "Series No. 297, Hallowe'en, 6 designs."

The full photo as mounted on a cardboard backing. For more information, see the cropped version .

I chose photographic tricks and amusements for the free-for-all (post as many photos on as many different themes as you'd like) during the fifth week of Wild Card Month—Pick Your Own Theme! in the Vintage Photos Theme Park. On the left-hand side of this photo, we see a woman taking a bite out of an apple offered to her by a man—shades of Adam and Eve! On the right, we see the same couple, and they've noticed the other version of themselves—the woman is pointing in their direction and the man is looking over at them. According to the typed label attached to the back, this is a photo of "Mr. & Mrs. Emerson Clover, Central Park, Whittier, California, March 31, 1921." I haven't uncovered any information regarding how Emerson J. Clover (1854-1926) and his wife, Alice K. Clover (1864-1947) created this trick photo, but the double exposure is well done. Central Park in Whittier, California, still exists. Part of a circular fountain or other structure in the park is visible beyond the tree. See also the full version of the photo, which is mounted on cardboard.

A photo of people exchanging "a look" that the photographer has captured perfectly for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Never mind that it's a fake look in a fake boat—the photographer who created this real photo postcard has captured a studio scene of a man and women looking into each other's eyes and pretending to be in love. I just hope that the swan got out of the way before it got caught in the wake of the speeding boat!

"You may be straight but you don't 'look it.'" A postcard addressed on the other side to Mr. Oscar Donaven, Mt. Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa., and postmarked in Philadelphia in 1907. This postcard features a punning illustration of an apoplectic fellow who doesn't "look straight" because he's cross-eyed, of course. Mark Newgarden , a cartoonist who was one of the creators of the Garbage Pail Kids , used this card--with an added imitation fly pin on the guy's nose--for the cover of his book, Cheap Laffs: The Art of the Novelty Item (Harry N. Abrams, 2004). If you have the slightest interest in the origin and history of fake vomit, whoopee cushions, and joy buzzers, then you've got to track down a copy of this amazingly amusing book. [Paging Corduroy Cat: Do I recall correctly that you posted a copy of this postcard, too?]

"Looking unto Jesus. Heb. XII.2."

"What color eyes do you love best? Perhaps blue and light hair. Send me a card [to say] when you will be over. All O.K. but mamma has the grippe. Here comes Tom. Campers by the creek. Jolly time. Tell Alice 'Hello' for me. Ever yours, Mariett." Postmark on back: Hubbard, Ohio, Oct. [6?], 1908. Addressed on back to: "Miss Mina Clark, Hubbard, Ohio. R.F.D. #2. c/o Mr. Taylor Carnahan." Handwritten message on back: "10-6, '08. Hello Kidds! Where are you and what are you doing anyway? Why did you not come over as you said? I have 'sore eyes' looking for you. Would you be the doctor? How are the folks?"

"I'm enjoying myself immensely. Wish you were here."

A real photo postcard.

"X-mas Greetings. N. America. Merry Christmas Series 403." Even Santa Claus noticed the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914! See also Panama Canal Drawing Book, 1914 :

"B. Fürth, Vienna. Made in Austria." Cupid uses a spyglass to peer down from his hot air balloon on this matchbox label.

"A Merry Xmas. He's looking for you." So watch out! You better not cry, and you better not pout! You know why.