Category Archives: Americana

1950’s Donald Duck Wall Decoration – A Ducky Disney Whodunnit

Posted on September 25, 2012 by

One summer morning about two years ago, on what was to become a very hot day, I was on one of my typical hunting and gathering missions at my favorite weekly flea market.  I had already been through the market … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950's, Americana, Art, Disney, Hand Made, Humor, Jim | Leave a comment

Travel-Log #3: Platte City, Missouri – 9/9/12 Submitted by Carol

Posted on September 19, 2012 by

After several hours of soaking up history in St. Joseph, Missouri and Atchison, Kansas (Pony Express Museum, Patee House, the house where Jesse James was killed, and Amelia Earhart’s birthplace), we were heading south along the Missouri River toward Kansas … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930's, 1940's, Americana, Carol, Disney, Ephemera, Historical, Jim, Political, Road Trip, Toys, WWII | Leave a comment

Travel Log #2: LeClaire, Iowa 9/7/12 Reported by Carol

Posted on September 13, 2012 by

We entered LeClaire, Iowa, which is just north of Interstate 80 and on the banks of the Mississippi River, at about 9:45 a.m.  I was taking note of the price of gas at a BP station when Jim shouted, “There … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920's, 1930's, 1950's, Advertising, Americana, Carol, Ephemera, Humor, Jim, Road Trip, Signs, Toys, Vehicular | Leave a comment

Pick of the Week: Miniature House

Posted on September 10, 2012 by

This week’s “Pick of the Week” comes from one of our favorite flea markets.  This is a prime example of a “diamond in the rough” in that when I found it a lot of the porch railings as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900's, 1910's, Americana, Art, Hand Made, Historical, Jim | 1 Comment

Travel Log #1: Galesburg, Il 9/6/12: Reported by Carol

Posted on September 7, 2012 by

We left home yesterday and headed west through Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana; thirteen hours and 681 miles later, we arrived in Brownsburg, Indiana.  What a frustration to watch billboards advertising antique malls flash by us on I-70!  The huge Heart … Continue reading →

Posted in 1800's, 1920's, 1930's, Advertising, Americana, Carol, Historical, Jim, Pottery, Road Trip | Leave a comment

Mourning Lincoln – The Road to Immortality

Posted on August 13, 2012 by

There is no doubt that history remembers Abraham Lincoln.  Among all the famous people of our past, Lincoln shares an elevated status achieved by only one other person – George Washington. Without George Washington, there may well not have been … Continue reading →

Posted in 1800's, Americana, Historical, Jim, Political | Leave a comment

Smile: Dr. Swett’s Root Beer

Posted on July 19, 2012 by

This happy young man is enjoying a refreshing glass of Dr. Swett’s Root Beer.  Most likely you have heard of Hire’s Root Beer, but not Dr. Swett’s.  Essentially, though, the products were very similar.  Dr. Swett’s may even predate Hire’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900's, Advertising, Americana, Carol, Ephemera, Signs | Leave a comment

Feature Matches: These Matches Should Be Featured in Anyone’s Collection

Posted on July 12, 2012 by

I’m not a matchbook collector, per se, but if I were a phillumenist, I’d definitely collect Feature Matches.  When it comes to little scraps of advertising ephemera, these clever and colorful matchbooks with pictures on the actual matches are matchless! … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, Advertising, Americana, Carol, Ephemera, Historical, Political | 6 Comments

Have a Happy Fourth of July! Here’s Something to Put a Smile on Your Face!

Posted on July 4, 2012 by

New on Collectorgene.com:  Beginning today, we at the CollectorGene want to start bringing you something to smile about weekly.  In addition to our full-length articles, we will be posting themed photos with short descriptions. “Smile” will be brought to you … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900's, 1910's, Americana, Carol, Holiday, Toys | Leave a comment

It’s a Sign of the Times – The Nineteenth Century That Is

Posted on June 23, 2012 by

I have to admit – I love old signs.  Their sole purpose was to say “Hey, look at me and buy what I have to sell!”   Before we had radio or television, the role of the sign, at least small … Continue reading →

Posted in 1800's, Advertising, Americana, Historical, Jim, Signs, Weird | 1 Comment