The newspaper clipping had turned yellow with age, but I was drawn to it by both its appearance and the headline on the article: “50-Cent Turkeys Graced Tables of Rich in 1815, Old Diary Shows”…
Category: Ephemera/Paper/Documents
I’ve always been intrigued by cabinet cards. Not so much by the unsmiling and stiff people in the portraits but by the fancy designs promoting the photographers. Cabinet cards were very prominent during the latter part…
The pictures on the front of the paper fans reminded me of postcards. One showed men in suits and boater hats eyeing sunbathers on a beach from a boardwalk at the Jersey shore. Another showed…
The oversized busts of famous men opposite large buildings stood out on the postcards. The cards were imprinted with the words “Reward Card,” and I wanted to know what the reward was. I asked the…
Vintage Halloween postcards more sweet than spooky
Posted in Ephemera/Paper/Documents, and Halloween
Looking at the images on the postcards I could see why so many people like to collect all things Halloween. The witches, black cats, lots of jack-o-lanterns and other symbols were quite colorful and innocently…
The cover of the postcard folder was interesting but unassuming. I’d seen plenty of these early folders of scenic areas around the country. Vacationers would buy them as souvenirs. This one was a little different, though, because the…
I wasn’t exactly sure what the leather notecards were when I saw them in the glass case at the auction house, so I asked to see them. Handing the tray of cards to me, the…
When I first say the group of hotel “Do Not Disturb” signs in a tray on the auction table, I was surprised and curious about why someone would bother to take them. But the more…
Reader seeks lyrics to song by gospel composer Thomas A. Dorsey
Posted in Black history, Ephemera/Paper/Documents, and Music
Friday at Auction Finds is a day to answer readers’ questions. I try to guide readers to resources to help them determine the value of their items or learn more about them. Today, a reader…
Reader seeks value of Angela Davis FBI wanted poster
Posted in Black history, Ephemera/Paper/Documents, and Politics
From time to time, I get questions from readers about the items they own. I’m not able to appraise their treasures, but I can do some preliminary research to get them started. So, the results…