Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: wishes

A young woman posing with a paper moon. The sign in front of her says, "Hauskaa Joulua Ja Onnea Vuodelle, 1914-1915." Google translation from the Finnish: "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 1914-1915." This is an unmailed real photo postcard with an Azo stamp box (four corner triangles pointing up) on the other side, which suggests a time frame—1904 to 1918—that matches the holiday season—1914-1915—indicated on the sign in the photo.

An early twentieth-century real photo postcard with the solid three-dimensional letters of "Hearty Christmas Wishes" dramatically positioned against a background of snow-covered trees and hills.

A small holiday greeting card possibly used as an insert in candy boxes.

A 1908 Tuck postcard with an apparently cannibalistic Thanksgiving scene of two turkeys pulling on a wishbone .

"Hallowe'en. Friendly fairy, witch, or fay, fulfill the wish you wish to-day. Ellen H. Clapsaddle."

A Vintage Photos Theme Park contribution for the topic: Are you sitting comfortably? Chairs, seats, benches, anything to sit on . I wish that this seat was still in existence--I'd sit in it to wish that this was a color photo rather than black and white. Although there's still a Children's Zoo that's part of the Bronx Zoo , the wishing seat is no longer there. To see some color photos of this particular wishing seat along with examples of magical seating opportunities in other locations, check out the Wishing Seats gallery I created over on Flickr.

"I wish to extend my warmest congratulations on the occasion of your birthday. Mrs. Nixon joins me in extending best wishes that health and happiness may always be yours. Richard Nixon." This birthday greeting from President Richard Nixon dates to his time in office (1969-1974), and his signature is, of course, a printed facsimile. As the White House's Request a Presidential Greeting page explains, U.S. citizens are still eligible to receive a similar greeting from the current president: "Birthday greetings are available for civilians celebrating their 80th (or greater) birthday and veterans celebrating their 70th (or greater) birthday. Please make your request at least 6 weeks in advance of the birthday."

Devinez qui? Devinez quoi? Je pense a vous; pense à moi! Avec ce poisson et ces fleurs Recevez mes vœux de Bonheur. Google translation: Guess who? Guess what? I think of you; think of me! With this fish and the flowers Receive my wishes for happiness. A French real photo April Fools' Day postcard, circa 1900s or 1910s.

"Wishing you a fortune in happiness! Mr. Fortune. WCBM." Homer Todd, shown here holding a telephone handset and sitting in front of a microphone in this postcard-sized promotional photo, originated the Dialing for Dollars program on Baltimore, Maryland, radio station WCBM in 1939. As "Mr. Fortune," he would randomly call phone numbers and award cash prizes to listeners who answered the phone and could tell him the amount of money he was offering as a prize (the amount increased each time the phone went unanswered or the wrong amount was given as an answer). Dialing for Dollars turned out to be wildly successful and was carried on many different stations as a franchised program first on radio and then on television into the 1970s. Todd--his full name was Homer Ulric Todd, Jr.--apparently continued his career as Mr. Fortune at WCBM until at least 1950. He passed away in 1967 at the age of 56. .

A hand colored photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park . "Vœux Sincères. Dédé, Paris, 1200." This French hand-tinted real photo postcard combines images of a house, flowers, and a carload of babies to deliver a message of "Vœux Sincères" (sincere wishes) for the New Year.

A Hallowe'en Wish. May all the bats and ghosts and frights Bring jolly fun and laughter And fill your day with such delights You'll smile forever after!

This type of Victorian "hidden name" calling card consists of an underlying card--this one has scalloped edges--with a colorful printed "scrap" covering the name that's printed on the card. In this case, the name hidden underneath the scrap is "Blanchie V. Wherley." The scrap, which is only glued to the card along the left-hand edge, can be carefully lifted from the right in order to reveal the name. To understand how this works, see the following illustration (below), which demonstrates how to lift the scrap to uncover the name printed on the card. The chromolithographed die-cut scraps often featured typical Victorian motifs, such as flowers, birds, and hands. Other scraps had patriotic themes, including U.S. flags, presidents, and Union generals of the American Civil War. For additional examples of this type of Victorian card, see below or take a look at my Hidden Name Calling Cards album.

Bonheur d'Avril Confident des coeurs amoureux Ce beau poisson porte mes voeux. Rough translation from Google: Happiness of April Confident of loving hearts This beautiful fish carries my wishes.

"Chuck brings to you our old treasure chest full of our best 1956 Christmas wishes. Ada and Jacob T. Bowman, M.D."