Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: toasts

"A heart and a hand, / All thy own to the last. Th. Moore." Postmarked in Ellicottville, N.Y., March 16, 1909. The couplet on this postcard is from a poem, "Come, Rest in This Bosom," by the Irish poet Thomas Moore .

One in a series of patriotic Thanksgiving postcards depicting various diners at flag-draped tables. For another example, see Thanksgiving for Our Army and Navy Forever (below).

"The wee bit of shamrock we all love so well. Erin's Isle." Printed on the back of this postcard: "Raphael Tuck & Sons' Post Card Series No. 157 The Emerald Isle." Postmarked Portland, Maine, March 15, 1914, and addressed to Mr. Cou M. McCarthy, Tunnel, Broome County, N.Y. Handwritten message: "3-15-14. Dear Friend, I received your welcome letter and I will write to you in a few days. Alex Gibson."

I'm not sure what to make of this strange vintage postcard. Perhaps it's delivering a message about drinking and driving, or possibly there's a moral about hifalutin folks who party too much hidden in there somewhere. Or maybe it's just showing us something similar to a Batmobile, only with a skull. 8-)

"Clover Leaf Dairy sends holiday greetings and a toast to good cheer. Your Milkman." A die-cut paper wreath that a milkman could place over a milk bottle as a holiday greeting for his customers. Clover Leaf Dairy was located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

"Here's to good old turkey, the bird that comes each fall. And with his sweet persuasive meat, makes gobblers of us all."

Postmarked: "Pittsburg, Pa., March 17, 1911." -------- Here's luck to Dear Old Ireland, the cradle of all true and loyal hearts. May her memory ever stay green in the hearts of all sons of Old Erin.

"Oh! You Lobster. / It's all very fine to wine and dine / A pretty dear sweet little miss / It looks very swell, but will you tell / How it's done on a salary llike this ($10 per)." This vinegar valentine has been personalized with the initials "F.F." for the man, "J.V." for the woman, and "The Biltmore" hotel as the setting for the wining and dining. The early twentieth-century meaning of "lobster" was similar to today's "sugar daddy." For a similar valentine, see Ye Gilded Boob .

"A Happy New Year, 1879, Lawrence C. Hankey."