Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: Love Tribunes

To My Valentine 'Tis a lemon that I hand you And bid you now "skidoo," Because I love another-- There is no chance for you! In the early twentieth century when this postcard was printed, to "hand someone a lemon" meant--often with humorous or joking intentions--"scram," "beat it," or--in the terms of the fad it was associated with--"skidoo" or "23 skidoo." For other postcards that make the connection between lemons and 23 skidoo, see the Lemons (NOW37) section of the 23 Skidoo Postcards Web site. How do you interpret the scene on this card--is the woman handing the lemon to the man, or has the man just given the lemon to the woman?

What means this shoe so very new? Why, "23" skidoo, skidoo! But if you'll be my Valentine, This shoe, my love, will not fit you. The "23 skidoo" fad--a joking way to tell someone to "scram" or "get lost"--was popular in the 1900s and 1910s. For an amazing compilation of information regarding the fad, see the 23 Skidoo Postcards Web site. Postmarked: Newark, N.J., Feb. 13, 1909. Sent to: Mr. Miles Tarbell, Groton, Tompkins County, New York. Message: Yours sincerely, Belle D.

To My Valentine A lobster I am and always will be; But won't you have pity and please marry me? The early twentieth-century meaning of "lobster" was similar to today's " sugar daddy ." -------- Postmarked: Richland Center, Pa., Feb. 13, 1912. Sent to: Miss Lizzie Krout, Lansdale, Pa. Message: Guess.