Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: knives

A weddings photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. This is a Kodachrome slide processed by Kodak in Jan 1959, so I'm guessing that the wedding actually took place in 1958 Notice how no one seems particularly excited as the bride and groom pose for photos while cutting their cake. Perhaps they would have been more impressed had they turned around and taken a look at the elaborate design of that wallpaper. P.S. I didn't realize how many wedding-related pics I had already used for various themes in the VPTP until I started searching for this week's photo. Check out two of my six previous matrimonial postings:

A Halloween postcard illustrated by H. B. Griggs (H.B.G.). For another postcard by Griggs, see May Love Light Your Halloween Lantern! Addressed on the other side to Miss Edith Yoder, 322 N. Pine St., Lancaster, Pa., and postmarked Portland, Ore., Oct. 27, 1908. Handwritten message: "10/27-08. Hello Edith, How are you. Are you getting the pumpkins ready? By the way I would have used your remedy for cold feet, but am so sorry you forgot to enclose the stopper. I should say I wished I was on that moon-light walk to take care of you as I kind of think Edith needs to be taken care of. Lovingly yours, Sara Hechtman."

Why is the witch holding a knife? Is that a plate of ice cream with a wedding ring on top? Is that a black cat or could it be a big rat? What is pumpkinhead boy smiling at? Why are some early twentieth-century Halloween postcards so puzzling?

Postmarked South Amboy, N.J., Oct. 8, 1909, and addressed to Miss E. E. Isenberg, R.F.D. No. 1, Box 17, Hollidaysburg, Pa. Handwritten message: "South Amboy, Oct. 8th. Dear Elda, We were all to New York yesterday. Had a nice time, went to the Hippodrome , the day was fine. I looked about plume [feathers for hats; see plume hunting ]--you can do better in Altoona. Do not forget to meet me at Frankstown on Monday eve at [the] five [o'clock] train. You can come in buggy. Mama." In this Halloween postcard by illustrator Bernhardt Wall , a young woman is tossing a long apple peel over her shoulder, believing that the peel will fall to the floor in the shape of a letter that will reveal the first letter of her future husband's name (strangely, a number of peels that spell "Hallowe'en" are floating in the background). This apple peeling practice is one of a number of Halloween games and rituals that were depicted on postcards published in the early twentieth century.

"A Joyous Thanksgiving." Postcard addressed to Miss Gertrude Blank, R.F.D. No. 1, Baden, Pa., and postmarked Allegheny, Pa., Nov. 19, 1909. Message: "Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving Day, Edna." This sure looks like a Halloween card rather than one for Thanksgiving, but I couldn't locate any versions with Halloween greetings. For another suspiciously Halloween-like Thanksgiving postcard, see Thanksgiving Greetings :

Written on the back of this photo: "Dennis & Little Francis. Thanksgiving."

Postmarked: Hagerstown, Md., Oct. 30, 1908. Sent to: Mr. J. D. Payne, Box 816, Martinsburg, W.Va. Handwritten message: "Compliment of the season. You have a fine appetite, so [ac]cept a slice of cake at 12 p.m. on Halloween eve and have pleasant dreams."