Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: fiddlers

See also the full version of this real photo postcard.

A rather blurry and discolored cyanotype real photo postcard.

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the monthly theme of pick your favorite theme(s)—why is it (are they) your favorite(s)? (submit a photo on this topic each week in addition to—or instead of—a photo for the weekly topic). I've always enjoyed photos of musicians, musical instruments, and other musical topics, especially informal ones like this picture of a boy playing a fiddle on the porch of a rustic house (see a cropped version for a slightly enlarged view). This is an unused real photo postcard with an Azo stamp box (four corner triangles pointing up) on the other side that suggests a date that may be as early as 1904 to 1918. The name "Sam Lewis" is written on the verso, though I haven't been able to track down any information about a fiddler by that name. For some other interesting music photos, see Frank Meger's Miniature Masquerade Ball and The Olzen Accordion School, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Otto Funk was 59 years old on June 28, 1928, when he left New York City to fiddle and walk his way across the United States. He reached San Fransico on July 25, 1929, after a journey of 4,165 miles. He presumably handed out this business card as he traveled across the country. "The world's champion cross-country Fiddler, Otto Funk, of Hillsboro, Illinois, walking from New York to San Francisco, f-i-d-d-l-i-n-g every step of the way. Started from City Hall, New York, 10 a.m., Thursday, June 29, 1928. Contracting celebrations, clubs, theatres, lodges, cafes, etc. Composer of the song, 'The Savior and the Rose,' words and music by Otto Funk. Price 30 cents per copy, postpaid, from A. L. Grundy Music Pub. Co., Morrisonville, Ill."