Ephemera is basically paper items that were meant for one use or for a short period of time and then discarded.
Antique and vintage Advertisements fall into this category. Printed advertisements have been around for a very long time. Ever since craftsman and merchants discovered that it was important to promote themselves, their business, and their products. In the Victorian Era, it became popular to collect what is now known as Trade Cards. These were basically advertisements for products that a storekeeper would have in their shops. The fronts were usually so beautifully done that Victorians actually kept scrapbooks of these ads in their parlors.
Advertisements taken from periodicals are collected for a variety of reasons. Usually the advertisement shows an item that someone collects. An ad with Fiesta dishes or an ad with a particular railroad company can be added to a collection of these items. Classic Car buffs like to get an advertisement showing the car that they have promoted in the year it was first available.
Old advertisements are fun to collect and usually relatively inexpensive.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Coca-Cola Santa by Sundblom Turns 75
The most recognizable Santa is most probably the Santa depicted in Coca-Cola ads. The creator of that Santa was a Swedish-American artist named Haddon Sundblom. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Santa we know today by Sundblom.
From 1931 to 1964 , Haddon Sundblom created an annual Santa advertisement for Coca-Cola. Many collectible items have been created from these vintage advertisements.
From 1931 to 1964 , Haddon Sundblom created an annual Santa advertisement for Coca-Cola. Many collectible items have been created from these vintage advertisements.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
New Interest in Record Albums
A trend that I'm seeing here in the Midwest, is a growing interest in Vinyl...the Long Playing Record Albums. I see a growing number of people coming into our Antique Mall asking for the old albums. In the beginning, I assumed they wanted them for the fantastic old covers of the albums. I'm finding out that people are actually buying these albums to listen to them.
We have a group of High School boys who come in on a regular basis and purchase a variety of the music from the past. Jazz, R&B, Soul, and Hard Rock seem to be the most popular with this age group.
Recently, the phenomena seems to be growing...the parents of these kids are now coming in and buying albums that they remember. In other words the kids have generated a sort of re-interest of the old vinyl in their parents.
During this Holiday Buying Season we have had many people reporting that they have purchased vintage Record Players and equipment to play the albums on.
In response to what I'm seeing in the 'brick and mortar' market, I've recently begun to offer a variety of LP Albums on my website. They can be found in the category: Music Related and the subcategory of Recordings - LPs.
Visit our shop at The Paper Trail
We have a group of High School boys who come in on a regular basis and purchase a variety of the music from the past. Jazz, R&B, Soul, and Hard Rock seem to be the most popular with this age group.
Recently, the phenomena seems to be growing...the parents of these kids are now coming in and buying albums that they remember. In other words the kids have generated a sort of re-interest of the old vinyl in their parents.
During this Holiday Buying Season we have had many people reporting that they have purchased vintage Record Players and equipment to play the albums on.
In response to what I'm seeing in the 'brick and mortar' market, I've recently begun to offer a variety of LP Albums on my website. They can be found in the category: Music Related and the subcategory of Recordings - LPs.
Visit our shop at The Paper Trail
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Defining Ephemera
I'm often asked, "Just what is this Ephemera stuff anyway?" by non-collectors.
Ephemera refers to written and printed matter published with a short intended lifetime or something transitory or lasting a day. In the world of collectors common types of ephemera include letters, advertising trade cards, cigarette cards, airsickness bags, posters, postcards, baseball cards, tickets, greeting cards, stock certificates, and photographs. The word is derived from the Greek meaning of things lasting no more than a day.
Libraries and information sciences use the term ephemera to describe the class of published single-sheet or single page documents which are meant to be thrown away after one use. It includes postcards, event-oriented posters, transportation and show tickets, baggage stickers, stock certificates, motor vehicle licensing forms, business cards, printed wedding invitations, trade cards, and other similar printed materials.
This field of collectibles is sometimes misunderstood and often has items lumped into or described as ephemera that really aren't. From the definition the item should be something that was meant for use for a short period of time and then discarded. A book of matches could be considered ephemera but a piece of sheet music should not be. The sheet music was intended for use for an extended period of time. I always wonder how photographs are classified in this category of collecting as I don't know very many people who discard their photos after looking at them one time. (But then again....I'm a packrat!)
Ephemera is a fun area to collect in and can easily be combined with other collections. A collector can pick one type of ephemera or create a collection of many forms of ephemera that fall into their favorite theme. Perhaps it could be printed matter that has to do with old buses, a specific holiday, or even political parties. The opportunities and examples have no end.
We are proud to offer many types of ephemera on our website The Paper Trail
Ephemera refers to written and printed matter published with a short intended lifetime or something transitory or lasting a day. In the world of collectors common types of ephemera include letters, advertising trade cards, cigarette cards, airsickness bags, posters, postcards, baseball cards, tickets, greeting cards, stock certificates, and photographs. The word is derived from the Greek meaning of things lasting no more than a day.
Libraries and information sciences use the term ephemera to describe the class of published single-sheet or single page documents which are meant to be thrown away after one use. It includes postcards, event-oriented posters, transportation and show tickets, baggage stickers, stock certificates, motor vehicle licensing forms, business cards, printed wedding invitations, trade cards, and other similar printed materials.
This field of collectibles is sometimes misunderstood and often has items lumped into or described as ephemera that really aren't. From the definition the item should be something that was meant for use for a short period of time and then discarded. A book of matches could be considered ephemera but a piece of sheet music should not be. The sheet music was intended for use for an extended period of time. I always wonder how photographs are classified in this category of collecting as I don't know very many people who discard their photos after looking at them one time. (But then again....I'm a packrat!)
Ephemera is a fun area to collect in and can easily be combined with other collections. A collector can pick one type of ephemera or create a collection of many forms of ephemera that fall into their favorite theme. Perhaps it could be printed matter that has to do with old buses, a specific holiday, or even political parties. The opportunities and examples have no end.
We are proud to offer many types of ephemera on our website The Paper Trail
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Collecting Old Sheet Music
One type of paper collectible that many people enjoy looking for is old Sheet Music. The old music is relatively easy to find and is collected for a variety of reasons.
Some collectors love the sheet music for the cover art. Sometimes the collector will look for a particular artist or perhaps they just like the particular feeling they get from the types of illustrations they find on old sheet music. Many will frame these real pieces of art.
Popular songs of specific decades are another area that collectors will look for. Along with songs from Movies and Television Shows, some collectors prefer songs from the theater or showtunes.
Another area that people try to collect is a particular style of music such as Jazz Songs, Classical Music, Gospel, Country songs, and Rock and Roll. While other collectors will look for a specific composer or lyricist for their collection.
Yet another area of sheet music collections will be on a thematic basis. Perhaps the collection will encompasss only songs that have to do with Transportation.
Whatever the reasoning behind the collections, the collector of sheet music can find pieces with relative ease. Sheet music has been produced for over 2 centuries. Generally, collecting sheet music is relatively inexpensive as a hobby with many pieces starting at $2.00 and going up from there.
We offer this grading system for the person who would like to begin collecting old sheet music.
FINE: No tears, no writing, no stains on the cover or inside. In other words (near mint).
GOOD: some wear, maybe a smudge or small stain, inside complete, small tears less than 3/4 inch.
FAIR: Some stains, tears and smudges, etc.
POOR: Large tears, stains, generally 'beat-up'
The Paper Trail offers a nice selection of antique, vintage, and contemporary sheet music.
Our website is The Paper Trail
Some collectors love the sheet music for the cover art. Sometimes the collector will look for a particular artist or perhaps they just like the particular feeling they get from the types of illustrations they find on old sheet music. Many will frame these real pieces of art.
Popular songs of specific decades are another area that collectors will look for. Along with songs from Movies and Television Shows, some collectors prefer songs from the theater or showtunes.
Another area that people try to collect is a particular style of music such as Jazz Songs, Classical Music, Gospel, Country songs, and Rock and Roll. While other collectors will look for a specific composer or lyricist for their collection.
Yet another area of sheet music collections will be on a thematic basis. Perhaps the collection will encompasss only songs that have to do with Transportation.
Whatever the reasoning behind the collections, the collector of sheet music can find pieces with relative ease. Sheet music has been produced for over 2 centuries. Generally, collecting sheet music is relatively inexpensive as a hobby with many pieces starting at $2.00 and going up from there.
We offer this grading system for the person who would like to begin collecting old sheet music.
FINE: No tears, no writing, no stains on the cover or inside. In other words (near mint).
GOOD: some wear, maybe a smudge or small stain, inside complete, small tears less than 3/4 inch.
FAIR: Some stains, tears and smudges, etc.
POOR: Large tears, stains, generally 'beat-up'
The Paper Trail offers a nice selection of antique, vintage, and contemporary sheet music.
Our website is The Paper Trail
Monday, September 18, 2006
Collecting a Household Icon: The TV Guide
Collecting TV Guides has become quite popular with many collector of paper and ephemera. The first National issue of TV Guide was published on April 3, 1953. The cover had a photo of Lucy and Desi's newborn son along with an inset of Lucille Ball. That issue books for $1950.00. Any cover with Lucy is usually valued higher than most other issues of TV Guide.
The celebrity on the cover dictates the value of most the magazines. The more popular the star, the higher the value placed on the issue. Many collectors concentrate on a particular star; although there are some who are tying to collect every issue.
There is a relatively new book out for people who have an interest in collecting TV Guides. TV Guide Celebrating An Icon. The book has photos of every TV Guide published up to October 2005 along with a price guide.
Many of these old issues can be found on my website. I have fun things like September 16, 1978 issue with the original cast of Battlestar Galactica, Al Hirschfeld illustrated covers and many more.
Visit the website at: The Paper Trail
The celebrity on the cover dictates the value of most the magazines. The more popular the star, the higher the value placed on the issue. Many collectors concentrate on a particular star; although there are some who are tying to collect every issue.
There is a relatively new book out for people who have an interest in collecting TV Guides. TV Guide Celebrating An Icon. The book has photos of every TV Guide published up to October 2005 along with a price guide.
Many of these old issues can be found on my website. I have fun things like September 16, 1978 issue with the original cast of Battlestar Galactica, Al Hirschfeld illustrated covers and many more.
Visit the website at: The Paper Trail
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