Category Archives: Political

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

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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

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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

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

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

Happy 204th Birthday, Abe! Let’s Celebrate With a Lincoln Candy Container

The more time passes, the more people seem to appreciate the leadership and genius of Abraham Lincoln.  Four years ago, much was made of the bicentennial of his birth.  Right now, much is being made of an outstanding movie that … Continue reading

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Truman Political Cartoon – It’s Toon Time at the L.A. Times

Since we last gave attention to Dwight Eisenhower, a Republican, it seems only fair that while the election season is still only a few weeks behind us, we pay some attention to his Democratic predecessor – Harry S. Truman. It … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, Americana, Historical, Jim, Political, Road Trip | 2 Comments

Smile! Sixty Years Ago, We Liked Ike

In 1952, like today, America went to the polls.  By the time the votes counted, Dwight D. Eisenhower was the clear winner.  The popular World War II hero and five star general was approached by both parties as a possible … Continue reading

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

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

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

Mourning Lincoln – The Road to Immortality

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

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