Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: novelties

John K. Trewetz (1864-1938), a well-known musician who lived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, advertised a patented "bellophone" on his billhead, but I haven't been able to uncover any information about it. David Bachman Landis of Pluck Art Printery created this billhead for Trewetz. M ________ To John K. Trewetz, Dr. Musical Novelties, 350 West Orange St. Lancaster, Pa., ________ 188__ Bellophone. Patented.

A Halloween dance possibly named after the Black Cat Dance (sheet music, 1916). The site of the dance was Hiemenz's Auditorium, a venue managed by H. John Hiemenz . See also Hell'o'een Masked Dance Ticket, Lancaster, Pa., October 29, 1920 . Black Cat Dance Friday, Oct. 27. Danceland Six. (Hiemenz's). Novelties. Admission, 55 cts.

Novelty real photo postcard, date and location unknown.

For more information, see The Ghost Card, or the Skeleton on the Wall (below). For the back of the card, see Whip and Fan Flirtations (below).

A novelty card with instructions for experiencing a ghostly afterimage of a "skeleton on the wall." For a vertical view of the skeleton, see a rotated version of the card (below). The other side contains a list of Whip and Fan Flirtations (below). For other cards that use the afterimage effect, see Hank Keene's Magic Picture and Lasting Impressions . The Ghost Card, or the Skeleton on the Wall Directions . Select a small black spot on a white wall, or white sheet—a spot that you can find again at once; let this spot be in a deep shadow . Then holding the card in the hand gaze intently on the eye of the skeleton, while the light falls brightly on the card. Keep the eyes on this one spot without moving or winking for two minutes; then suddenly look at the spot on the wall for two minutes. Keep the eye very steady in both cases, you will then see distinctly the same skeleton on the wall. For a parlor entertainment this is one of the grandest things ever witnessed.

The inside of a Rally Day Treasure Chest , which has a postcard backing. Mouse over the image to see the closed (folded) treasure chest . Next Sunday is Rally Day The day of 100% attendance in our school. We must have you present to make our goal! Let's make our school better than ever! The contents of the treasure chest are all for you: The Book of Books. A Place of Prayer. A Place of Song. A Happy Place. God Is Here! Helpful Friends. Truth and Honor Taught Here. Golden Hours.

A folded die-cut Rally Day postcard. Mouse over the Rally Day Treasure Chest to open it and see what's inside .

The back of a small novelty ticket (or, more specifically, a "through check" or "seat check") used by T. E. Metzgar, who was a conductor on the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad . For more information, see the front of the ticket (below). Through Check - Erie to . . . Langdon's - 9.0 Waterford - 18.5 Union - 26.2 Corry - 37.0 Spring Creek - 44.0 Garland - 50.0 Irvineton - 59.7 Warren - 65.5 Sheffield - 78.8 Ludlow - 85.4 Kane - 94.5 Wilcox - 103.7 Johnsonburg - 110.1 Ridgway - 118.2 St. Mary's - 128.3 Rathbun - 137.5 Emporium - 149.1 Cameron - 155.0 Sterling - 158.6 Driftwood - 167.6 Round Island - 177.8 Keating - 182.7 Westport - 189.3 Renovo - 195.2 Lock Haven - 222 Williamsport - 248 Sunbury - 288 Harrisburg - 344 Philadelphia - 449 Baltimore - 426 New York - 443 Good for this day and train only. With any other conductor it is useless. If you wish to stop over, notify the conductor.

Despite its discoloration, this small novelty ticket for the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad (1861-1907) is notable for its use of rebuses (see my translations of the pictures, numbers, and letters below) to indicate the children's fares and to request that passengers keep their feet off the seats. The back of the ticket (see below) indicates that this was a "Through Check." On railways where they're still used today, through checks are more commonly called seat checks. As I understand it, a conductor typically first inspects a passenger's train ticket, marks the destination on a seat check, and then places the check on or above the passenger's seat. This allows the conductor to keep track of passengers and which stops they need to get off at. Apparently, T. E. Metzgar was the only conductor who used a seat check like this, since it specifies on the back, "Good for this day and train only. With any other conductor it is useless." My best guess, then, is that Metzgar had these printed himself and may have used them on special occasions or perhaps just for children. Has anyone else seen anything similar? Philadelphia & Erie R.R. Rebus: "Key-P UR Boots & Shoes off the Seats." Translation: "Keep your boots and shoes off the seats." T. E. Metzgar, conductor. Rebus: "5 Children Free." Translation: "Children under 5, free." Rebus: "12 Children 5 Half Fare" Translation: "Children over 5 and under 12, half fare."

"Quaker Rolled White Oats. Manufactured by the American Cereal Co. Address: Chicago, Ill., U.S.A. Use only Quaker brand rolled oats. Pure Quaker Oats. 2 pounds. A Family Affair." Five views of a nineteenth-century metamorphic trade card, which--as it's unfolded--changes from a Quaker Oats cereal box to a scene of children eating cereal at the breakfast table (with the Quaker Oats man lurking in the background).

"Mister Softee Cart Wheel. The very best sandwich. Ice milk. Net contents, 3 fl. ozs. Mr. Softee, Runnemede, N.J."

This "Mule Barometer" joke (sometimes also called a "Burrometer") has a long history and has appeared in many different printed versions (often with a more dramatic condition like "If tail is gone--Tornado" as the punchline). Although it's frequently published as a postcard, this example is actually an advertising card printed for the Central Brass Manufacturing Company, which has been in existence since 1895 and still continues to manufacture brass faucets and fixtures. Today, the Mule Barometer gag regularly reappears as a " weather rock ," which is--as Wikipedia interprets it--"a humor display that pokes fun at the intricate technology used in modern weather forecasts, as well as the fact that their accuracy is less than perfect. A rock is typically hung from a tripod and accompanied by a sign indicating how to read it." -------- Mule Barometer Directions: Hang outside. If tail is dry--Fair. If tail is wet--Rain If tail is swinging--Windy. If tail is wet and swinging--Stormy. If tail is frozen--Cold. Further information upon request. There is no kick coming to those who use the highest grade brass goods for plumbing and water works made by the Central Brass Mfg. Co.

"Still only 5¢. Hershey's Banjo, vanilla ice cream coated with rich chocolate. Fudjo, a delicious chocolate fudge confection. Creamsicle, a combination of sherbet and vanilla ice cream." The Hershey Creamery Company (not to be confused with Hershey's , the chocolate manufacturer) makes Hershey's Ice Cream products in Harrisburg, Pa. This colorful store sign dates to the 1960s and advertises three ice cream bars that the company still sells (for more than 5 cents, unfortunately) today--Banjo, Fudjo (now called Fudge-O), and Creamsicle (now Orange Blossom) bars.

"Labor Day Novelties. Picnic needs, auto supplies, and holiday goods. September, 1922." A store sign that advertised special Labor Day sales in 1922.

The Ventrilo-phone Place the instrument in the roof of the mouth, with the scallop side in back, hold it lightly with tongue, and hiss. Keep at it, and it will soon be easy to operate. Do not get discouraged and you will soon be able to imitate all kinds of birds and animal. This is a great help to the ventriloquist when he wishes to give imitations. Three extra Ventrilo-phones by mail for 10 cts.

Or at least that's what I thought it looked like!

"Consumers Cigar Box Company, Red Lion, Pa. Manufacturers of fancy and novelty boxes. Capacity 15,000 per day. 'If It's wooden boxes we make them.'"