Category Archives: Uncategorized

Vintage PF Flyers – Superpowers for Kids

Posted on March 16, 2015 by

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

We Gather Together…A Vintage Thanksgiving Feast Photo

Posted on November 27, 2014 by

I don’t know who these people are.  Random family photos like this turn up in my possession all the time.  Clearly this is an important meal, and judging by the gigantic turkey on the table, I’m going to assume it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930's, 1940's, Americana, Carol, Food, Holiday, Photography, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Shoe Shine Boxes – Part II – More Shine Is Just Fine

Posted on July 29, 2014 by

Just over two years ago, I wrote my first article about shoe shine boxes, those humble survivors of life in urban America. Since that time I have added a few more examples to my collection which I would like to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, Advertising, Americana, Hand Made, Historical, Jim, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Top o’ the Morning and Happy Collecting St. Patrick’s Day to You!

Posted on March 12, 2014 by

Santa Clauses and Easter Bunnies are relatively easy to find in the antiques and collectibles world. But if you want to collect and/or display vintage St. Patrick’s Day decorations, you’ll need the luck of the Irish! Aside from postcards, cardboard … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910's, 1920's, 1930's, Americana, Carol, Holiday, Humor, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Happy Halloween! A Nostalgic Snapshot of a 1960’s Yogi Bear Trick or Treater

Posted on October 31, 2013 by

  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

A Whale of a Tale – Our Yard Sale Whale Vertebrae

Posted on September 12, 2013 by

It has been said many times before in our blog and will probably be said many times in the future. When you collect to the extent we do, you never know what you’ll be bringing home after any given “hunt.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Carol, Uncategorized, Weird | 3 Comments

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

Find of the Week: Arsenic and Old Clapperboards

Posted on June 26, 2013 by

We all know what it is; we just don’t know what it’s called. I’m referring to a clapperboard or clapboard. If you’ve ever seen a movie in which they’re making a movie, you’ve seen a crewman go something like, “Scene … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940's, Americana, Jim, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Pick of the Week: Animation Cel from “The Simpsons”

Posted on May 23, 2013 by

This past weekend, I set up at the Punk Rock Flea Market in Philadelphia to unload some of my vintage toy collection. Of course, part of the fun of being a dealer is being able to look around and buy … Continue reading →

Posted in 1990's, Ben, Comic Characters, Humor, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

In Living Color Homey D. Clown Plush Doll

Posted on May 12, 2013 by

Homey don’t play dat…but apparently, you can play with Homey! In the early 1990s, the sketch comedy show In Living Color was enormously popular. It was the first truly well-received sketch show alternative to “Saturday Night Live” in a long … Continue reading →

Posted in 1990's, Ben, Dolls, Humor, Toys, Uncategorized, Weird | 1 Comment