Acquiring Ephemera For Your Collection

[Ray Kirchmeyer]

I was interested in knowing how collectors go about acquiring old ephemera for your collection. Myself I visit a local monthly flea market (been doing it for years). A lot of things there are way overpriced but I have gotten to know a few of the vendors very well. I am always able to buy their paper in bulk for very little and usually come home with at least 6 boxes full. Most of it is from the midwest (Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri). Some of the better items (in my opinion) I have found were a letter signed by President Harry Truman, a collection of letters written home from a GI in Europe as he advanced on Germany during WWII, and a high school yearbook that was from my mother's high school the year she graduated. One of my most unusual places I acquired some old paper was when I was working on a construction remodel project about 10 years ago on a 19th century building. When I knocked a hole in an interior wall I found an old book containing shipping bills from vendors detailing sales to the general store that once occupied the building; date-1883-1884. I have tried estate sales without much luck. It seems like most paper is either kept by the heirs or discarded thinking it is worthless. And Ebay auctions generally go for much more money then I want to spend. I would be curious to know where others find there treasures.

[Nancy]

For me it seems to be very hard to buy vintage paper in my small town of Grants Pass, Or. I do not fine much- only once in a Blue Moon I do find a little box full here and there.

I have to make trips to S.F. Bay area- Lots of great paper in that area- I have found boxes full of great stuff at Estate sales and flea markets
from S.F. to San Jose.

[Valerie MacEwan]

ebay has out-priced itself. The boxes of "paper" we once so enjoyed are now way too pricey and shipping costs can be ridiculous too. I buy my ephemera at the NC State Fairgrounds flea market (every Sat-Sun except in Oct) in Raleigh and at estate auctions. So much ephemera around here has been discarded because of floods and humidity. (eastern NC) Occasionally there are interesting pieces at library sales. Second-hand stores and antique stores around here will have boxes of ephemera at a good price. Yard sales sometimes yield interesting finds.

I think it would be fun (see other discussions I'm having with Nancy) if we could swap ephemera. I'm searching through my boxes/files for the type of photo postcard she collects, for example.

Next weekend I hope to go through the attic of a house originally built in 1850s. Sometimes there are items underneath the insulation -- hope that holds true this time.

[Frank DeFreitas]

My collecting interests center around one subject, and from the time period of 1960's through 1999. The vast majority of the collection I obtained myself over that time period. Since I began my blog in July, I have had a few people donate a few pieces to the collection. I have also just purchased my first pieces on ebay . . . a book, and an issue of Scientific American from 1965 (which will be featured at my blog tomorrow, Friday).

Nothing is really that old in age (48 years at the most), but I'm finding that people only saved bits and pieces. I have found collectors of actual holograms, but none so far for holography-related ephemera (other than myself, of course).

I'm glad I saved all this "stuff" . . . and I hope that, one day, others will be glad that I did as well.

[Valerie MacEwan]

Frank, you've opened my eyes to holograms and we will truly keep a sharp look out for any of it... I never know what will be at the state fairgrounds flea market. Hopefully we can "add" to your collection (we as in my husband and me). Also, I'll be checking library magazine sales too.

[Persephone]

I use eBay and because bookmarks are one of the smaller areas of ephemera interest I used to do quite well. Fortunately and unfortunately, they are becoming more popular and as a result prices have risen for the antique ones. If you prefer the old ones, as I do, there really isn't another place that I have found for them--yet. Thankfully, I started about six or seven years ago so I have a nice-sized collection. That means I am much fussier about what I do buy, which is a good thing since bidders are more common and prices are going up.

[Valerie MacEwan]

Just as Frank showed me holograms - you have also enlightened me -- Bookmarks! Who knew? I bet there are some in these old books around the house, some of my grandparent's.

The images you've posted are lovely, btw. Good luck in your quest.

[Persephone]

Ooh, Nancy, if you come across any please do let me know. Right now I have about 1,200 of them. Most modern ones do not interest me, but antique ones of all materials and most subject matters do very much. And it is common to come across them in old books. So often they are put in there then forgotten, sometimes for decades.

[Alana]

I buy mine from live auctions around my state and surrounding areas. I love going to them, and I like that I am able to have a hands on experience with what I buy. The only downfall is that you are physically working on that bid among others so the highest bidder is present and I don't always get or can afford some of those bids.

[MadamButterflye]

Check your local thrift store - I found a 1901 Watson & Newell Advertising Calendar in one for $2.99. At first glance, I noticed the pictures were beautiful and whimsical and then I researched the calendar and found it to be genuine. What a treasure. I've also gone to book sales for the library and purchased old books with old papers tucked inside. I hope this helps. Like you've noted yourself - you have to visit these places often.

[Lewis Jaffe]

I am mostly interested in bookplates (exlibris) and still find desireable items on Ebay. Another good source is local hand bookbinders. They are pac rats by nature and hold onto all sorts of ephemeral items.Trading with other collectors is often very productive.
Lew Jaffe
Http://bookplatejunkie.blogspot.com

[Bernie]

I was getting a nice lot of stuff from US Ebay at one time, even when the postal charges went up it was still a good deal with an exchange rate this time last year at $2=£1. Now the exchange rate has evened out its time to call a halt to trans-Atlantic deals for the time being. Still, the boot sale season is upon us in the UK and it brings out the hunting instinct.

[Susan Mac Gregor]

It would be great if some of us in the same state could do some kind of paper swaps I have been collecting ephemera and selling it for about 11 years, I have so many boxes of stuff. Susan in California