Category Archives: Advertising

Vintage PF Flyers – Superpowers for Kids

I make no secret that I am on an endless quest to recapture my childhood. Was childhood really better in the 1950’s and 1960’s than it was (or is) for later generations? Most of us who were alive at that … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, Advertising, Americana, Disney, Ephemera, Jim, Signs, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Shoe Shine Boxes – Part II – More Shine Is Just Fine

Just over two years ago, I wrote my first article about shoe shine boxes, those humble survivors of life in urban America. Since that time I have added a few more examples to my collection which I would like to … Continue reading

Posted in 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, Advertising, Americana, Hand Made, Historical, Jim, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Telecoma Canned Food Fighters by Takara (Yet More Mealtime Combat)

I don’t know if Happy Meals are as big a deal as they were in the 1980s, when parents were blissfully unaware that all that fast food was putting their children at risk for obesity and type II diabetes. Honestly, … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, Action Figures, Advertising, Ben, Food, Humor, Kitchen, Toys | 1 Comment

My Love Affair With LIFE (Magazine)

This tenth anniversary issue of Life magazine shows the first issue with the famous Margaret Bourke White cover. I’m sure my love affair with Life began when I was about ten years old. Unlike just about every middle class family … Continue reading

Posted in 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, Advertising, Americana, Carol, Ephemera | Leave a comment

Mr. Clean & Friends – Grown Men in Costume

  It’s October, the month when grown men do crazy things like this.  This vintage photo, most likely from the 1960’s, is from my collection.  It’s hard to say why these men are in costume, but let’s assume it’s a … Continue reading

Posted in 1960's, Advertising, Americana, Carol, Costumes, Halloween, Humor, Photography | Leave a comment

Giraffe-Neck Women from Burma Circus Poster

My apologies on the flash flare. This thing wasn’t easy to photograph! It probably isn’t much of a secret that circuses would sometimes exaggerate in their advertising. A case in point is the subject of this article. Were the Giraffe-Neck … Continue reading

Posted in 1930's, Advertising, Americana, Ephemera, Historical, Humor, Jim, Signs, Weird | 1 Comment

The Le Macabre Skull

It seems like ages since I have written an article for The Collector Gene, so I wanted to come back with one of my favorite pieces from my collection.  I have been waiting to write about this one for a … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, Advertising, Amy, English, Foreign, Halloween, Historical, Humor, Monsters, Signs, Weird | 11 Comments

The Michelin Advertising Figure – Rollin to the “Roadshow” with Bibendum

The seventeenth season of PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” just started recently.  I have to admit that of all the shows dealing with antiques that have aired over the years, I still like this one the best.   Based on the even longer … Continue reading

Posted in 1800's, 1900's, 1910's, 1920's, Advertising, Foreign, Historical, Jim, Weird | 4 Comments

Have a Very Disney Christmas with Mickey, Goofy, Tron, and V.I.N.C.E.N.T.

As evidenced by the other articles you’re seeing pop up this month on The Collector Gene, we’re a family that’s very, very, VERY much into the holiday season. My parents have been very, very lucky to amass such a nice … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, Advertising, Ben, Disney | Leave a comment

Last Travel-Log from the Road – 10/4/12: Antique Archeology-Nashville Submitted by Carol

When we set out on our cross-country journey at the beginning of September, we knew we wanted to antique our way across America, but we weren’t exactly sure where we would go.  We still have a few more days on … Continue reading

Posted in 1910's, 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, Advertising, Americana, Art, Carol, Costumes, Ephemera, Hand Made, Historical, Humor, Jim, Lighting, Road Trip, Signs, Toys, Vehicular, Weird | Leave a comment