Category Archives: Signs

Vintage Disney “No Trespass” Sign – Finding a Nice Way to Say “Get Lost”

What I love about collecting is that you never know what you will be coming home with. After four decades of hunting and gathering I still see things out there that I didn’t even know I wanted, but after I … Continue reading

Posted in 1940's, 1950's, Americana, Animation, Disney, Jim, Movies, Signs | 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

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

The Le Macabre Skull

It seems like ages since I have written an article for The Collector Gene, so I wanted to come back with one of my favorite pieces from my collection.  I have been waiting to write about this one for a … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, Advertising, Amy, English, Foreign, Halloween, Historical, Humor, Monsters, Signs, Weird | 11 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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