Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: Santa masks

Second of two in a series of two or more photos that tell a story (number them, if appropriate) for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Handwritten note on the back of this real photo postcard: "Naples, January 1, 1962." Janet, Kit, and George Buck pose with two Santa Clauses in Naples, Italy, on New Year's Day in 1962. These two Santas, with their masks, slightly different clothing, and one holding a cane, seem to me to be rather mismatched and maybe even a bit creepy, but Kit is smiling broadly and looks happy. Janet and Kit previously had their picture taken with a giant Santa in Athens, Greece , on or before December 30, 1961. Based on the note that Janet wrote on the back of that first photo , the family was continuing to travel and expected to arrive in Germany by January 6, 1962. These two photos provide a glimpse into what must have been a busy and fun-filled European trip.

Posted on the day after the U.S. presidential election as a reminder that Santa Claus isn't always who he seems to be, and he may not bring the presents we expect to receive. Here are a couple of other Santa masks, along with a masked Santa:

A disembodied heads photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Could this be a surreal scene from some horror film? Has some mutant creature from the North Pole dropped the head of poor Santa Claus into the laps of these gloating family members with their sickening smiles? Or is it just some silly Santa mask that they're using as a prop for their Christmas photo? You'll have to decide for yourself! While you're making up your mind, here's a bona fide Santa mask for comparison:

Stamped on back: "Hill Studio, 1415 Derry Street, Harrisburg, Pa." Handwritten on back: "Dec. 23, 1947." A puzzling photo of a masked Santa Claus (evidently a woman wearing a skirt) sitting next to a pile of wrapped presents and a Christmas tree. Newspapers are strewn about on the floor, and the walls in the background seem to be either water-stained or wet (could it be the inside of an unheated shed or trailer with condensation running down the walls?). The tips of what appear to be ironing boards surround Santa on both sides. Could this show early preparations for a gift distribution of some sort? Or has a downtrodden Santa taken up residence in a storage unit?

Melvern R. Evans, an architect in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, created this remarkable folded Christmas card in 1932. The front of the card, which was printed on plain green paper, simply says, "Just a minute--please." Inside (see above) is a photo of Evans holding a Santa mask along with a message indicating that 1932 was a "poor business year" (it was the height of the Great Depression ). To remedy the economic situation, Evans suggests, "Let's take off the mask and stop playing Santa Claus to the entire world ," meaning, I guess, that the United States should concentrate on addressing its domestic problems before providing aid to other countries. Despite his feelings about the dire financial conditions during 1932, Evans ends his greeting on a positive note by acknowledging old friendships and wishing a Merry Christmas "to you and those you love" (see below for the full text of the card). Just a minute--please This is a time for deep thought and accurate action . Let's take off the mask and stop playing Santa Claus to the entire world . We must have contentment at home to be a happy family . The year 1932 passes--well let it--it has been a poor business year. But ...it has ripened old friendships --and it's [because of] that old friendship that I cheer it's passing with a Merry Christmas wish--to you and those you love. Melvern R. Evans, A.I.A., Architect, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at Christmas, 1932.