Category Archives: Americana

2014 Road Trip Blog: Franklin Pierce Ballot & Herbert Hoover Decal

Very early in the trip, Jim struck political gold outside of Galena, Illinois.  The same dealer had a number of good political items, and Jim purchased two of them.  Jim was off and running.  Surely, this was a sign that … Continue reading

Posted in 1800's, 1930's, Americana, Carol, Jim, Political | 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

Fighting the War in Europe on the Homefront With Humor – Poking Fun at Hitler

Today marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day, a somber yet triumphant anniversary to be sure. Thousands of American troops became casualties as they stormed the beaches of Normandy in a successful effort to wrest control of Europe from Hitler and … Continue reading

Posted in 1940's, Americana, Carol, Historical, Humor, WWII | Leave a comment

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY – Enjoy These Vintage Photos

Just wanted to share a couple of motherly – or in these cases grandmotherly – images from my vintage photo collection in honor of Mother’s Day. I spent my Mother’s Day doing what I enjoy most – antiquing with my … Continue reading

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Miniature Slant Front Desk – Salesman Sample or Something Else?

  “Antique” is a word that is frequently abused, especially in the past twenty or thirty years. It is often paired with the word “collectibles” and its true meaning frequently overlooked. For something to be truly “antique”, it is supposed … Continue reading

Posted in 1800's, Americana, Hand Made, Jim, Miniatures | 1 Comment

Top o’ the Morning and Happy Collecting St. Patrick’s Day to You!

Santa Clauses and Easter Bunnies are relatively easy to find in the antiques and collectibles world. But if you want to collect and/or display vintage St. Patrick’s Day decorations, you’ll need the luck of the Irish! Aside from postcards, cardboard … Continue reading

Posted in 1910's, 1920's, 1930's, Americana, Carol, Holiday, Humor, Uncategorized | 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

Collecting JFK – Fifty Years Later

This month is the fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I remember that day well, as does anyone else who happened to be alive at the time. Perhaps it’s because I was a kid – in … Continue reading

Posted in 1960's, Americana, Historical, Jim, Political | Leave a comment

Happy Halloween! A Nostalgic Snapshot of a 1960’s Yogi Bear Trick or Treater

  What a great photo!  It combines two things I love – old magazines and Halloween.  Anyone over forty will probably admit to going out on Halloween wearing one of those lame, out-of-the-box costumes at least once during their trick-or-treating … Continue reading

Posted in 1960's, Americana, Carol, Comic Characters, Costumes, Ephemera, Halloween, Holiday, Humor, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Halloween Cats

It seems fitting that cats are associated with Halloween. We especially think of witches and their black cats. Often thought to be “familiars” to witches or malevolent assistants who could assist in the witch’s magic spells, being a black cat … Continue reading

Posted in 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, Americana, Ephemera, Halloween, Holiday, Humor, Jim, Monsters, Toys, Weird | Leave a comment