A Community Site for Anyone and Everyone Interested in Ephemera

October 2008 Blog Posts (12)

Non-Ephemera Ephemeral Blogs

That headline may not make a lot of sense... so let me try to explain.

As I read blogs from across the US and from our friends in other parts of the world, I sometimes uncover one that has a purpose and intention other than talking about Ephemera... but in the end, actually has a lot to say, and show, of an Ephemera collectors interest.

Case in point… Continue

Added by Tom Murphy on October 29, 2008 at 7:00am — No Comments

London Tube Map Ephemera

Did you know that over 80 cities across the globe have adapted the London Tube Map to meet thier own railway system needs? Neither did I, but thanks to the BBC I am now up to date.

The original London Tube Map was the brainchild of a Mr. Harry Beck who was not a graphic artist but rather an engineering draftsman who worked for the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB). Beck's… Continue

Added by Tom Murphy on October 28, 2008 at 7:00am — No Comments

Shoe fitting ephemera?

Here's a new one on me .. a shoe fitting test data certificate. (all images can be clicked to enlarge)

Apparently, back in the 30's, 40's and 50's, the shoe fitting fluoroscope was a common fixture in shoe stores. The… Continue

Added by Tom Murphy on October 26, 2008 at 10:06am — 1 Comment

Fine Arts Show - My ephemera won first place.

Hey ya'll. I used some 1960s era ephemera to create a multi-media 3D art piece titled "Fishing for Nixon". Entered it in the Beaufort County Arts Council Fine Arts Show and won first place and also an honorable mention for another piece. In all, I entered 4 pieces -- all wil be featured at the Arts Council through Dec. so needless to say, I'm thrilled. All 4 pieces contained ephemera - torn photos, magazine ads, parts of books. The best part is the prize $, which means I can buy MORE… Continue

Added by Valerie MacEwan on October 25, 2008 at 8:30pm — No Comments

Philip Jones Fellowship for the Study of Ephemera

Ephemera Society of America Fellowship

The Ephemera Society of America invites applications for the Philip Jones Fellowship for the Study of Ephemera. This competition is open to any interested individual for research on any aspect of ephemera—material defined as transitory printed documents. It is expected that this research will further one or more aims of the Society: To cultivate and encourage interest in this material; to further the understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of… Continue

Added by Mike Ferguson on October 10, 2008 at 1:27pm — 1 Comment

Cookie Ephemera

In my continuous search of the Internet for items related to Ephemera, I ran across a blog today by a lady named Cindy who lives in beautiful central Virginia. Her blog primarily focuses on Crafts, but that takes her, it would appear, into numerous thrift shops.

In her most recent blog she talks about having wandered into a local Goodwill store and… Continue

Added by Tom Murphy on October 10, 2008 at 6:00am — No Comments

Campaigning for the U. S. Presidency

As the November election day approaches, I started thinking about Ephemera related to past presidential campaigns. And as I searched the net I was drawn to the Cornell University Collection of Political Americana.

Cornell, through its "Division of Rare & Manuscript Collections." has an exhibition entitled "Get Out The Vote - Campaigning for the U. S. Presidency". While the site seems a bit dated, talking about the 2004 elections, it nonetheless has an interesting collection of… Continue

Added by Tom Murphy on October 9, 2008 at 7:00am — No Comments

A Nazi diary

Our friend and fellow Ephemerist, Marty Weil, has a knack for uncovering interesting blogs across the internet that in one way or another relate to Ephemera.

In today's blog, Marty talks about John Ptak who writes "A Blog of the History of Ideas -- unusual connections in the history of science and mathematics with the arts and social history". Recently John… Continue

Added by Tom Murphy on October 8, 2008 at 9:00am — No Comments

A Real Treasure Of Texas History

Out of a small worn overnight case filled with mid to late ninteenth century documents from Goliad came a real treasure of Texas history. An envelope somewhat tattered lay between the folds of an old Occupation Tax Document dated 1876. Curiously I opened the envelope to find a vaguely familiar sight on a Cabinet Photo. Though faded with the passage of time I could see what appeared to be a monument surrounded by a group of well dressed men and on the steps sat and elderly bearded gentleman. My… Continue

Added by Kyle Boyd-Robertson on October 7, 2008 at 6:30pm — 1 Comment

Ning, Coffee, Bonanzle and Ephemera...

Here's an article, on another Ning Network, that I think the creator (Mike Ferguson) of this Network will enjoy...

The History of Coffee...

Tom

Added by Tom Murphy on October 6, 2008 at 9:19am — No Comments

Jack Dempsey's autograph

Hey!! wow!! Going through a pile of papers yesterday, I found a "Good Luck, Jack Dempsey" pencil signature on the back of a piece of paper. The autograph matches the ones I've found online. The paper is from the Boy Scouts, World's Fair, New York, which would have been 1939 (according to my research) so there really is a great chance Dempsey was there and signed it. Now i have to place Dempsey at the World's Fair and blammo, it's a real autograph. I don't doubt it's authenticity, but it is… Continue

Added by Valerie MacEwan on October 3, 2008 at 1:40pm — 3 Comments

A new beginning...

After several years, and two different attempts, my time with eBay Stores has come to an end.

My first store was relatively successful but I had to close it due to being out of the country for several months. My second store was less successful, partially due I suppose to the economy, and partially due to eBay's focus on the larger marketeers.. at the expense of the small sellers.

So as of September 30th, my eBay store has closed and I have imported all of my inventory… Continue

Added by Tom Murphy on October 2, 2008 at 6:30pm — 6 Comments