Category Archives: Ephemera

Happy Fourth of July from Collectorgene! A Black Humor Postcard With a Timely Message

Posted on July 3, 2013 by

Warnings about the dangers of fireworks – especially when children are involved – abound today. Apparently, things were no different in 1908, which is when this particular card was mailed. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Posted in 1900's, Americana, Carol, Ephemera, Holiday, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Uncle Sam – He Collects From Us So Why Not Collect Him?

Posted on April 23, 2013 by

It might be more appropriate to talk about Uncle Sam around the Fourth of July, when symbols of patriotism abound. He dresses in red, white, and blue, after all, and sometimes has stars on the brim of his hat and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900's, 1910's, 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, Americana, Dolls, Ephemera, Historical, Jim, Political, Toys, WWII | 3 Comments

A Tribute to Our Gal Sal: Sally Starr As You’ve Probably Never Seen Her

Posted on January 31, 2013 by

Ask any baby boomer who grew up in the Philadelphia area in the 1950’s and 1960’s if they remember Sally Starr’s “Popeye Theater” show, and you’ll get an immediate affirmative answer.  I truly think there wasn’t a child in our … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940's, 1950's, Carol, Christmas, Ephemera, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Pick of the Week: Sad Santa Story Told in Six 1906 Keystone Stereo Cards – Or a Real Nightmare Before Christmas!

Posted on December 12, 2012 by

We haven’t featured a “Pick of the Week” in a while, but we wanted to share last weekend’s holiday-themed find with you.  It’s a set of six stereo cards published by the Keystone View Company in 1906 that Jim and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900's, Americana, Carol, Christmas, Ephemera, Holiday, Humor, Weird | Leave a comment

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

Posted on October 15, 2012 by

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

Travel-Log #8: Broad Summary (Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas) – Submitted by Carol on 10/3/12

Posted on October 9, 2012 by

Despite good intentions, I’ve discovered that keeping up on a blog while traveling the width of the country is no easy task.  Whenever possible, we’ve tracked down and run into antique shops and malls in pursuit of a “find.”  In … Continue reading →

Posted in 1800's, 1900's, 1910's, 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, Advertising, Americana, Carol, Dolls, Ephemera, Historical, Holiday, Humor, Jim, Kitchen, Monsters, Political, Road Trip, Signs, Toys, Weird | 1 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

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