Ephemera Hunting: Collecting Vintage Paper

A fellow blogger, Deanna, has piqued my curiosity with her latest article. She writes of finding unusual, and sometimes monetary, treasures in old boxes of greeting cards, antique books and vintage magazines she had purchased. Since we have copious amounts of all of these, it gave me the incentive to rush down to our basement and check out our inventory.

After several hours of scoping out ”old paper”, there were some treasures to report. Let’s see what I found.

First of all, Deanna is right – those old greeting cards are charming. While I found no money inside, I did discover a few cute notes; one friend berating herself for not remembering a loved one’s birthday! Another card from the 1950s was addressed to “Pookie” from ‘Hug-a-Bug”, awwww.

Inside a Ladies Home Journal magazine from the 1940s, I found a single playing card. It shows Uncle Sam with an American Eagle and streamers that read “Keep ‘em Flying.” Planes hover overhead. No doubt a reference to supporting our troops in World War II.

Inside a book by Charles Dickens called “Christmas Stories”, I found two ‘book-marks.’ One was a business card from the West End Tavern in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, boasting of “real beer” and sandwiches. It also reads “Table Service for the Ladies.” The phone number of BLuemound 9718, really adds to its age!

Further back in the book was a tiny envelope. It was from the Sheridan Motel in Cudahy, Wisconsin (a nearby suburb of Milwaukee.) This little envelope was left on a pillow with a welcome message and a “God speed on your way” sentiment. Presumably to leave a gratuity for the service people, this hotel guest chose to mark a page in her book instead.

Another book brought forth a cloth patch! It was in a Robert Louis Stevenson Reader, quite old, but the patch was for Winter Olympics in 1972 for the Boy Scouts. Not sure of the correlation there.

While scouring through a very interesting magazine from the early 30s called “Modern Priscilla” I found a notecard with “Your Omen for Today.” With a 1929 copyright by the Automaton Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio, it gave a ‘fortune’ to the reader.

A large book called “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” held a ticket stub from a Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Circus, in 1974. Further back I found a playing card with Joe Schmidt-Linebacker of the Detroit Lions (1953.) The original deck of cards was for all the NFL teams (some teams have changed locations, many their logos.)

A 1930s magazine called “Country Gentleman” held a surprise! Inside was a green ‘ribbon’ from a local high school. It reads “Don Bosco 1^st in State.” Nice shape too, even though it is vintage.

Probably the best came in a box of greeting cards for kids. Resting at the bottom of the box, was a post card from 1932, to a lady in Fairfield, Connecticut. It was from 20 Mule Team Borax (Pacific Coast Borax Co.) It is a typed card thanking her for her vote on their best radio program. The winner – by a landslide – was Death Valley Days. It was ‘signed’ by “The Old Ranger.” He stands before a microphone marked “NBC.” Nice collectible!

I should mention that I also found a few dead bugs, a pressed flower or two, and a Kleenex, but those were tossed out! I will definitely keep looking for these ‘hidden treasures.’ Who knows what is behind the next page?