The words “Route 66” spark in my mind a childhood memory of a scene from the old TV show of the same name with Tod Stiles and Buz Murdock. They’re in a room with an elderly…
Month: March 2017
Houdini’s Big Little Book of Magic
Posted in Books, and Performers
It would take more than magic to put this little book back together again. Its spine was torn, its cover was marked with a jagged water stain, and its cover was slightly ajar. The word…
‘Colored and scented’ wedding rice in a can
Posted in collectibles, Culture, and Personal items
The cardboard can was almost hidden among the other small vintage items on the table. I didn’t notice it while I was eyeing the handheld grater and other kitchen gadgets. When I ventured to the other…
Three images of William Francis Sutton stared out from the FBI wanted poster, and some auction-goer had already left a bid on it. This criminal was better known as Willie Sutton – a notorious bank…
Several years ago, on a whim, I bought a pair of screw-back earrings with butterscotch stones. The auctioneer was trying mightily to sell them – they’re sterling, he mentioned – and no one wanted to…
The craftsmanship of the two wooden cylinders caught my eye first. I wasn’t sure what they were, but they looked to be both hand-made and well-made. They’re duck calls, the auction-house staffer said, and I…
WWII women pilots on a deck of playing cards
Posted in Ephemera/Paper/Documents, history, Military, and Women
The women looked cool striding purposely to some unknown place in their leather bomber jackets, full-legged pants and thick boots. Their backdrop was a World War II plane with an imprinted name of which I…
Elvis & Lone Ranger on TV-shaped lapel pins
Posted in Advertising, Personal items, and TV
I’d seen cereal-box premiums that were the rage during the early years of TV advertising. These were aimed at children, enticing and coaxing them to get their mothers to buy cereal so the kid could…