Category Archives: Ephemera

A Patriotic Ribbon From 1863 Tells the Story of an Important Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July 1863! Actually it’s one month, two days, and one hundred and fifty-two years ago as I write this. We apologize for posting our Fourth of July article so late, but a big storm in June zapped … Continue reading

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

Happy Is the Bride…Perhaps – Vintage Photos of Unhappy Brides

Most modern brides smile happily in their wedding portraits.  Many brides of yesteryear do, too.  However, while trolling through boxes of old photos at flea markets, I’ve discovered that a fair number of brides from the past look very serious, … Continue reading

Posted in 1800's, 1900's, Americana, Carol, Ephemera, Photography | Leave a comment

The Coolest Comic Grandfather – Foxy Grandpa & His Fabulous Easter Toys

I’m not old enough to personally remember Foxy Grandpa, the comic character. In fact, even my parents were born too late to remember his debut on January 7, 1900 in the New York Herald, and his popularity was already waning … Continue reading

Posted in 1900's, 1910's, Americana, Carol, Comic Characters, Ephemera, Holiday, Humor, Toys | Leave a comment

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

Disney Pin-ups.

As a long time Disney collector, I have learned that there is a ton of junk on the market with Disney characters on it.  At this point it takes a special or rare piece of Disneyana to get me excited.  … Continue reading

Posted in 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, Amy, Animation, Art, Comic Characters, Disney, Ephemera, Hand Made, Historical, Humor, Movies, Weird | 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

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

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

1911 Beach Boys – A Photo Souvenir From Atlantic City

  This photo was a recent addition to my collection.  How can anyone view it without smiling at least a little? These men, who look to be about sixty years old – give or take a few years, are obviously … Continue reading

Posted in 1910's, Americana, Carol, Ephemera, Photography | Leave a comment