A Community Site for Anyone and Everyone Interested in Ephemera

Mike Ferguson 45, Male Fullerton, CA, United States: Share

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Blog Posts (5)
Discussions (6)
Events (1)
Groups (46)
Images (18)
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Profile Information

Interest in Ephemera: Collector

About Me:: I was a collector (albeit unfocused and random) of ephemera before I knew there was such a thing. During my nine years on staff at the Specialty Coffee Association of America, I began to collect coffee related ephemera on behalf of the association. I recently decided to make collecting ephemera an “official” hobby and to begin learning more and become a bit more serious.

My “day job” is as a consultant in the coffee industry. Not too long ago a colleague of mine started a networking site for baristas, which has been enormously successful. It occurred to me that starting such a thing for ephemera might be a good way to learn, and use my inclination as a former association executive to “facilitate” gatherings of those with shared interest. While I don’t expect as much participation as a site devoted to baristas, I think the passion I’ve seen among ephemera collectors might make for a dynamic community regardless of numbers.

I will be working a bit on the site each day so please be patient as I add (or remove) features and try to make things more presentable and organized. The Google ads keep the site free but I don’t plan on keeping them for too long. Suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

Website:: http://www.freshgroundconsulting.com

Mike Ferguson's Groups

Talk About T.E.N.

4 members
Ephemera dealers

14 members

Cruise Line Ephemera

2 members
Trade Catalogs

2 members

Secondary used playing cards

7 members

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Mike Ferguson's Events

Philip Jones Fellowship for the Study of Ephemera

January 15, 2009 at 12pm – Winner Announced March 19-21 in Old Greenwich, Conn.

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Mike Ferguson's discussions

Latest Activity

Mike Ferguson replied to the discussion Centralizing Ephemera at TEN Oct 10

Mike Ferguson left a comment for Cleos Great Deals Oct 8

Mike Ferguson commented on the blog post Why Do People Collect Old Magazine Ads? Oct 4

Kyle Boyd-Robertson left a comment for Mike Ferguson Sep 30

Mike Ferguson and John Reese are now friendsSep 6

Mike Ferguson commented on the blog post A great small find Sep 5

Mike Ferguson commented on the blog post Google ads on TEN Sep 4

Mike Ferguson's Page

Mike Ferguson's Images

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Mike Ferguson's Blog

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 ephemera b… Continue

Posted on October 10th, 2008 at 10:27am — 1 Comment

What Happened to Who's Online/Instant Message?

Without going into too much detail, the software that runs the who's online/IM function was not running smoothly with the software that runs the network. There is a replacement program being designed right now and it should be ready this week for beta testing. I will re-install some version of who's online, hopefully with a chat or IM function, as soon as it is available and I have a little time. Thanks.

Posted on August 27th, 2008 at 5:05pm —

Welcome to the dinner party! (a borrowed analogy)

This networking site is like a dinner party. It’s held at my house and I have done my best to prepare. The space is adequate, I hope, and the food well prepared. I may even have some nice wine on the table. But the heart of the party, the breath and the life of the party is out of my hands. A party, if it is a party and not an entertainment, is its guests. I can do my best to introduce the guests to each other and strike up a conversation here and there. I can make the wallflowers feel a… Continue

Posted on June 5th, 2008 at 9:38pm — 3 Comments

Okay I’m a member. Now what?

Okay, you’ve decided to try this social networking thing in support of your ephemera habit but, what now? First, you don’t really need to do anything. You can come back now and then and just look around, read a few things, and move on. I’m hoping you’ll be more active than that, but if not, that’s okay. Here’s a few ideas on how to engage the community. 1. Get the picture? I’ve noticed we have a few “Quaker” members on the network, that is, people who have not posted an image, either of themsel… Continue

Posted on May 27th, 2008 at 11:49pm — 3 Comments

Magazine Question: Best/Accepted Practice for When to Take Apart and When to Keep Whole

As a collector of coffee-related ephemera, I find many advertisements in old magazines that are historically interesting and reflect important milestones in the evolution of the coffee industry in the United States. My question, which must be common but I have not yet found a written answer, relates to accepted practice among collectors as to when and old magazine should remain in tact, and when it can be "dismantled for its parts." Generally, I have always tried to keep magazines in tact, even… Continue

Posted on May 21st, 2008 at 4:21pm — 9 Comments

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Testing Section

Comment Wall (26 comments)

You need to be a member of THE EPHEMERA NETWORK to add comments!

Join this network

At 2:56pm on September 30th, 2008, Kyle Boyd-Robertson said…: Just checking to see if everythings OK. Haven't heard from you in a while. Just wanted to let you know you are missed. I think I read somewhere you started a new job. Hope that and all else is well with you.

At 8:53am on August 27th, 2008, Valerie MacEwan said…: Just found this wonderful network. My friends/family are so happy chatting away with their fellow hockey fans, or BANS site creators, or toddler-mommies and I've felt left out -- I mean -- who wants to talk about this paid receipt for a cesspool installed at Desi Arnez's Hollywood home that I found in a box of ephemera? I hope ya'll do!!

I'm truly looking forward to visiting and ... gulp... posting. Thanks for hosting this network. We need a place like this to meet and chat. I know how much work is involved in maintaining and keeping up with a network like this...

At 2:39pm on August 10th, 2008, Frank DeFreitas said…: Hello Mike, glad to be a new member. What a great field/hobby ephemera is. I've spent the better part of my life with it.

I'm new to ning, so I'll have to sit down, relax, and find my way around. Thought I'd drop by and say hello (to you and to any others who happen to read this: hello from Frank).

At 4:54am on August 8th, 2008, P-E Fronning said…: Thank you! I have uploaded a couple of Swedish coffee ads for you.

At 3:08am on July 31st, 2008, ART GAFFAR said…: Thanks,Mike.
Great work!!!

At 10:21pm on July 24th, 2008, Kyle Boyd-Robertson said…: Thank's for all your hard work on this Network. The new Who's Online/Instant Message is great. I think we all owe you a debt of gratitued for all you have done to start this Network and keeping running as well as you do.

At 1:35am on June 23rd, 2008, Kyle Boyd-Robertson said…: Looks Great. When I add it to my network box it jus blanks it out. I just added it and will check back in the morning to see shat happens.

At 9:52am on June 13th, 2008, Gunilla said…: Thanks Mike, Nice to be here!

At 10:55pm on June 11th, 2008, Kyle Boyd-Robertson said…: Great to be here. I will add more later. Is there any way to add links to my page?

At 2:33pm on June 6th, 2008, Nancy said…: Mike
Nice Banner you made for the top of the page. Nancy

P. S.
You are the one that made it I hope!!! Anyway very nice.