Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: 1939

"G. C. Liesenberg, B.O. Box 48, Empangeni, Zululand, S. Africa. Photo by H. Duncan Abraham, P.O. Box 1699, Durban." A photographic QSL card from 1939 that provided G. C. Liesenberg's old radio call sign--exZT5F--as well as his new one--ZS5AW. The writing on what was intended to look like an oversized QSL card that Liesenberg's holding is an acknowledgement that he made contact with another radio operator on January 14, 1939. I like how his kid is pretending to turn one of the dials on the radio.

"A souvenir of Golden Gate International Exposition, 1939. A Pageant of the Pacific. Leland W. Cutler, president. H. C. Bottorff, exec. secretary. M128027."

Postmarked: Miami, Fla., July 29, 1939. A real photo postcard of a father and son striking an amusing pose with an alligator (a stuffed gator or a statue of one, that is!). For an earlier example of father-son alligator antics, see Father and Son with Alligators :

"Your letters are priceless. Make folks happy. National Letter Writing Week, October 1-7." A poster stamp for National Letter Writing Week in 1939.

The humorous multiple-choice postcard in the United States dates back to the early twentieth century when it was often called an "Australian ballot" (the early term used for a secret ballot , which was finally adopted by all states in time for the 1892 presidential election). Later, they were known as "busy person's correspondence cards" and "generic postcards." This version was printed on a colorful linen postcard for the 1939 New York World's Fair . The message and checkboxes appear in the center of the card, while nighttime views of fair buildings appear on either side, with the Trylon and Perisphere on the left and the Hall of Communications on the right. Greetings from New York World's Fair Dear: Wife, Husband, Sweetheart, Mother, Dad, Friend, Folks, Here I am at the world's fair: having a good time, making whoopee, doing the high spots. So far I have seen the: amusement center, various exhibits, music hall, fireworks, lecture halls. The fair is: exciting, thrilling, wonderful, amazing, dazzling, magnificent. I urge you: not to miss the fair, tell your friends, bring your family, bring your bankroll. I need: much more time, money, rest, loving, you. I am: lonesome, happy, homesick, thinking of you. I'd love to: stay on forever, have you with me, be with you, come home, visit you. Yours: with love, sincerely, forever.

"The 14-Ton Giant Underwood Master, operating daily at the New York World's Fair, 1939. Underwood Elliott Fisher Company. Underwood, Elliott-Fisher, Sundstrand, Speed the World's Business, One Park Avenue, New York." As this linen postcard suggests, a huge Underwood typewriter attracted visitors at the New York World's Fair in 1939. For some amazing photographs of the oversized machine, see The Giant Underwood Master Typewriter , a posting on the History By Zim blog. Underwood Elliott-Fisher (originally the Underwood Typewriter Company ) also displayed a giant typewriter at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco in 1915 (see postcard image below). Printed on the back of this postcard: The Giant Underwood Master Typewriter The Largest in the World Operates daily at the Underwood Elliott Fisher Exhibit in the Business Systems and Insurance Building at the New York World's Fair. This huge machine, weighing 14 tons, is 1,728 times larger than the regular Underwood Master. It required 3 years to build. Each typebar weighs 45 pounds and the carriage alone weighs 3,500 pounds. Letters are typed on "stationery" measuring 9 by 12 feet, and the ribbon in the machine is 100 feet long and five inches wide. Two box cars were required to transport the Giant to the World's Fair.

Handwritten note on the back of this small snapshot: "Boeing Clipper at Honolulu, March 12, 1939." Tail number (aircraft registration) visible on the plane: NC18602.

A postcard used to promote the Crosley automobile during the 1939 New York World's Fair . Also on display at the fair were various other products, including refrigerators, washing machines, stoves, and radios, that were designed and manufactured by Powel Crosley, Jr. , and the Crosley Corporation. -------- Front: The Car of Tomorrow at the World of Tomorrow. As shown at the Crosley Building at the N.Y. World's Fair. Also the amazing Freezorcold Shelvador Refrigerator, Feather Touch Electric Magnetune Radios. See the newest of the new in home appliances at popular prices. Crosley Reado, facsimile radio printing. Crosley Camera, Press Jr. model, Gas and electric ranges. Electric and gas engine washers. Electric ironers. At Crosley Dealers everywhere. Back (printed not handwritten): My feet are no longer tired after what I've seen at the Crosley Building.

A snapshot of "Johnny Gaso" (or "Gasso"), who was the "host of Wonderland," which was located in the Gas Exhibits Building at the New York World's Fair. The Johnny Gaso character was played by actors of short stature. For another photo, see the NYPL Digital Gallery's Gas Industries - Johnny Gasso, "Uncle Don" and man image. As Andrew F. Wood explains in his book New York's 1939-1940 World's Fair (Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia, 2004), p. 104, visitors to the Gas Exhibits Building in 1940 saw a "Gas Wonderland" that included "mystery gardens, disappearing dwarfs, flaming cactus plants, and Tiny Town with talking houses."

For the complete roller skating rink dance card, see the following: Roller Skate Diary Card (orange) 1) 1939 Halloween Party / De Luxe Roller Skating (above) 2) Autographs / Memoirs Roller Skate Diary Card Insert (yellow) 3) De Luxe Roller Skating / Treasure Hunt 4) Romance on Roller Skates / Order of Skating -------- 1939 Halloween Party Roller Skate Diary, Sunset Park, Williamsport, Pa. -------- De Luxe Roller Skating Every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Sunday matinee, 2:30 to 4:30, 15¢. Romance, glamour, health, happiness, fun, joy. It's smart to own personal shoe skates. Rink available for Sunday school and private parties. See manager for details. Hammond electric organ for pleasing music.

For the complete roller skating rink dance card, see the following: Roller Skate Diary Card (orange) 1) 1939 Halloween Party / De Luxe Roller Skating 2) Autographs / Memoirs (above) Roller Skate Diary Card Insert (yellow) 3) De Luxe Roller Skating / Treasure Hunt 4) Romance on Roller Skates / Order of Skating

For the complete roller skating rink dance card, see the following: Roller Skate Diary Card (orange) 1) 1939 Halloween Party / De Luxe Roller Skating 2) Autographs / Memoirs Roller Skate Diary Card Insert (yellow) 3) De Luxe Roller Skating / Treasure Hunt (above) 4) Romance on Roller Skates / Order of Skating -------- De Luxe Roller Skating Sunset Park. -------- Treasure Hunt Friday Nite, Sunset Park Rink. A Baumgart Sisters Enterprise.

For the complete roller skating rink dance card, see the following: Roller Skate Diary Card (orange) 1) 1939 Halloween Party / De Luxe Roller Skating 2) Autographs / Memoirs Roller Skate Diary Card Insert (yellow) 3) De Luxe Roller Skating / Treasure Hunt 4) Romance on Roller Skates / Order of Skating (above) -------- Romance on Roller Skates Sunset Rink Song, by Henry. Romance on roller skates / One glance I met my fate / The chance we all must take / I'm glad that I could wait. The lights were turned on low / She smiled, her eyes aglow / We began to skate and so, / Romance began to grow. As the organ played / We rolled and swayed / My heart disobeyed, / But I was not afraid. So now my life's complete, / Because I've found my mate; / Each night we will repeat-- / "Romance on Roller Skates." A Modernistic Skateland. -------- Order of Skating 1) Sunset Skate for Couples. 2) Drop Back Skate. 3) Trio Skate. 4) Moonlight Skate for Couples. 5) Two Step. 6) Grand March. 7) Ladies' Choice. 8)F Foursome Drop Back. 9) Kiss Skate. 10) Waltz for Couples. 11) Popular Request. 12) Reverse Skate. Happy Skating--Come Again Soon.