Antique Collectibles|Vintage Ephemera

Antique Collectibles and Vintage Ephemera for Collectors

Antique Round Tables

Round is a shape that allows freedom of movement. Tracing its outline with your hands, pursuing its fluid shape and smoothly gliding with its infinity present before you, a creation that has no end and thus lacks a definite start, a certain beginning. Objects that assume this unique shape permit ease of interaction in relation to other objects with similar characteristics or objects with stricter and more rigid corners and orientation. This is the principle that represents rippling circles and spherical global maps. In interior design, circular elements specifically round tables adapt well in a space because other interior elements are drawn to their unrestrictive and welcoming nature. A round dining table is an ideal choice when the interior of the dining room is small because it can suitably accommodate the chairs unlike the four-cornered square or rectangular dining table that restrains the snug fit of the chairs in its legroom.

Antique Rose Cutwork Tablecloth Table Top 36 Round
Antique Rose Cutwork Tablecloth Table Top 36 Round
Paypal   US $.99
ANTIQUE VINTAGE ROUND TABLE DOILY BEIGE LACE TRIM 12 DIAMETER EXCELLENT COND
ANTIQUE VINTAGE ROUND TABLE DOILY BEIGE LACE TRIM 12 DIAMETER EXCELLENT COND
Paypal   US $1.49
Antique Postcard WINCHESTER KING ARTHURS ROUND TABLE
Antique Postcard WINCHESTER KING ARTHURS ROUND TABLE
Paypal   US $3.65
DOLLHOUSE HOUSE OF MINIATURES HEPPLEWHITE ROUND TABLE KIT ANTIQUE REPLICA
DOLLHOUSE HOUSE OF MINIATURES HEPPLEWHITE ROUND TABLE KIT ANTIQUE REPLICA
Paypal   US $3.99
Antique Vintage Round Flower Doilie Tea Cloth Table Dolile 9 White
Antique Vintage Round Flower Doilie Tea Cloth Table Dolile 9 White
Paypal   US $6.50
Vintage Hand Crochet Doilies Antique lot of 6 Table Scarfs Rose Round Clean Nice
Vintage Hand Crochet Doilies Antique lot of 6 Table Scarfs Rose Round Clean Nice
Paypal   US $4.99
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Vintage Ephemera

Contemporary round tables have reached a level of sophistication in their design that specifically and feasibly answers the functional requirements of a furniture piece. Their designs are utilitarian and the forms of their top surfaces and legs or stands are straightforward and streamlined. No fancy adornments, just clean structured lines. These designs are modern adaptations of antique round tables that have detailed tops and elaborately carved legs. The simple linear lines of 21st century furniture pieces are indeed genuine proof of how styles emerge, adapt and transform successfully throughout the decades and the centuries as an unpredictable cycle. However, the precise periods in this cycle of furniture trends and styles deserve to have an avid interest and thorough scrutiny granted to them because most of their masterpieces are of superior quality and superb artistic designs that the modern world should take notice of.  People today do revere furniture designs of the past centuries. Some people are more enthusiastic than others and there are certain occasions in which antique furniture pieces are given grand accolades for their timeless and enduring qualities and characteristics.

Designs of antique round tables

Incorporating antique round tables in a contemporary home will not be a difficult endeavor for an antique collector or a simple enthusiast since the latest trend in interior design today is to combine different pieces of furniture from various periods, cultures and themes to create unique and eclectic interiors that speak of the personal tastes of the owners rather than following a consistent pattern dictated by a specific design theme. Most of these tables have elaborate designs that can be used as accent pieces in the dining room, a focal point in the design that might have been previously dominated by contemporary dining chairs and modern accessories. They can also blend in with other furniture pieces with a somewhat similar silhouette as theirs or the same color of stain or polish. Finding them in furniture stores and antique shops will be easy if prior knowledge about periods and styles has already been acquired through, either history of furniture books or browsed via the internet.

Antique round tables present numerous interesting silhouettes that are too beautiful to go unnoticed. Chippendale pie crust tables have fascinating top surfaces that resemble the crust of a pie, as their name implies, and they usually have tripod pedestal bases. Round tables during the Rococo period had intricate carvings and their legs bulged outward on the top portion and swayed outward on the lower portion mimicking cabriole chair legs. Antique drum tables have unique table tops that depicted shallow drums and they had three legs that swayed outwards.

Dining tables

Antique round dining tables of the 16th century in France have drop leaves for the top which can be bent down to save space when the table is not in use. Instead of drop leaves, some of them have tilted tops which meant that the entire top can be placed on one side which is for a similar reason of space saving and easy storage. They were more commonly made from solid wood materials such as walnut and rosewood and most of them have swirling and continuous carvings on the stretchers that connected their four legs. The legs of antique round tables were the elements that made them unique and representational of the periods when they were produced. Rococo table legs had cabriole styles with intricate and feminine carvings while neoclassic table legs had turned wood design and vertical flutings reminiscent of Greek and Roman architectural columns.

Difference between modern and antique coffee tables

The legs of round antique coffee tables are not limited to pedestal types. They have four-legged and tri-legged table legs as well and most of them made use of stretchers to make them more stable and as decorative elements, too. However, to set the record straight, antique coffee tables made during the middle of the 17th century in England were higher than the modern coffee tables and they resembled side tables placed near the sofas rather than situated in the center of the living room as it is done today. Basically, the antique ones were known more as tea tables rather than coffee tables but their function of providing a surface for tea, coffee and other refreshments was the same. The coffee table being surrounded by the sitting furniture pieces that we see today in our living rooms is a modern concept.

Occasional tables

An element of charm and whimsy embraces a painted antique occasional table in the foyer with embossed leaf-patterned carvings on the side lid of its top and feminine curvilinear lines in the three-legged bottom of its pedestal stand. It looks very quaint standing there across the room painted entirely in white. It would stand perfectly as a display table in a contemporary fashion boutique with a chic old-world design theme and in a modified French country cottage inspired living room. Patterns and styles that dominated antique occasional or end tables were ancient scrolls, acanthus leaves, claw feet, egg-and-dart border motifs, twisted rope and wood turnings. They adorned the side of the top surface and scrolls and large curved acanthus leaves that were intricately carved in the wood served as the femme silhouette of the legs. The application of the motifs depended largely on the dominant style of a specific period.

Antique BookendsI really enjoy looking around the eBay listings for what the popular collectibles are from time to time.  I have made many estate sale purchases over the years and I often find myself with antique books on hand.  As I was doing some research, I was surprised to see that vintage and antique bookends are incredibly popular as collectibles. Older bookends for sale online seem to do very well if they are priced reasonably enough.

I don't know why this should surprise me.  Collectible books are a well known favorite.  It only makes sense that such treasured old items should be properly displayed.

It is a bit of a shame that today's advances in technology seem to be leaving behind some really wonderful traditions.  It used to be that books were treasured by their owners.  Decorative bookends were an ornate finishing touch used to display collections which were built up with pride over time and generations.  They were certainly functional, but their ornate designs fashioned from a variety of materials including bronze and cast iron, added a touch of class to any study or home library.

I always try to take a look at the items I write about from the perspective of both the seller and the buyer.  Often times, the seller has no idea what kind of treasure (or sometimes junk) he or she actually has put up for auction.  I think that these older bookends are a good example of something that might pleasantly surprise some sellers.  One thing I've noticed in my visits to hundreds of estate sales, is that there are usually a LOT of books.  Older folks often took very good care of the books in their possession.  I am not an expert on collecting bookends, but I would hazard a guess that they probably took some pride in their collections, no matter how small.  Purchasing bookends of decent quality would only make sense.  Over time, these have become collectible and often they show very little wear.

Prices for vintage bookends on eBay are highly variable.  Some of the more sought after sets can go over a thousand dollars.  More typically, the best sets end up in the low to mid-hundreds.  Of course there are also plenty that end up selling for less than that.  There are many different types of styles and designs, but one of the most popular looks right now is art deco.  The choice of this glamorous style may be a reaction to the recent difficult economic times... or maybe people just think they look nice!

Vintage Antique Bronze Brass small GREEK ROMAN BUST on marble base BOOKEND
Vintage Antique Bronze Brass small GREEK ROMAN BUST on marble base BOOKEND
Paypal   US $.09
Old Heavy Antique Art Deco Brass Chess Piece Castle Bookends Set
Old Heavy Antique Art Deco Brass Chess Piece Castle Bookends Set
Paypal   US $.50
PAIR New CERAMIC PHRENOLOGY HEADS with ANTIQUE GLAZE Bookends NEW 99p START
PAIR New CERAMIC PHRENOLOGY HEADS with ANTIQUE GLAZE Bookends NEW 99p START
Paypal   US $1.56
Antique USS Frigate CONSTITUTION Old IRONSIDES Nautical NAVY Ship RELIC Bookends
Antique USS Frigate CONSTITUTION Old IRONSIDES Nautical NAVY Ship RELIC Bookends
Paypal   US $2.25
Antique Cast Iron Liberty Bell Bookends Copper Finish Shabby Chic NR yqz
Antique Cast Iron Liberty Bell Bookends Copper Finish Shabby Chic NR yqz
Paypal   US $3.25
SET ANTIQUE RONSON LVA FRIAR MONK BOOK ENDSSTURGIS MI1920
SET ANTIQUE RONSON LVA FRIAR MONK BOOK ENDSSTURGIS MI1920
Paypal   US $4.95
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Vintage Ephemera

Sometimes you get really surprised when you start looking at completed items on eBay.  I was doing my usual searches through collectibles, vintage items, and antiques, when I came across something that really caught my eye.  I was looking for things related to old paper, and sorting them by the prices they finished at, when something really jumped out at me.  Vintage paper mâche items were selling like hotcakes.  Not only was the old paper mâche selling well, it was selling for prices that shocked me.

The most expensive paper mâche item I found on my recent search, was a dog.  This was not just any dog however, it was Nipper, the RCA dog.  At 36 inches tall, it was not huge or anything and it was unrestored, but it still sold for a best offer price of $1000.

HUGE Vtg lot 12 paper mache cardboard nesting easter eggs Germany Arts Crafts
HUGE Vtg lot 12 paper mache cardboard nesting easter eggs Germany Arts Crafts
Paypal   US $10.99
Vintage Mexican Marionette Paper Mache Face
Vintage Mexican Marionette Paper Mache Face
Paypal   US $12.50
VINTAGE PAPER MACHE DWARFELFGNOMECANDY CONTAINER ORNAMENTMADE IN GERMANY
VINTAGE PAPER MACHE DWARFELFGNOMECANDY CONTAINER ORNAMENTMADE IN GERMANY
Paypal   US $14.49
Vintage Style Bunny Rabbit  Great Reproduction Looks like Paper Mache
Vintage Style Bunny Rabbit Great Reproduction Looks like Paper Mache
Paypal   US $15.49
vintage 16 paper mache head velour soft stuffed sailor doll toy figure as is
vintage 16 paper mache head velour soft stuffed sailor doll toy figure as is
Paypal   US $15.49
Vintage PAPER MACHE RABBIT Candy Container Made in US Zone Germany
Vintage PAPER MACHE RABBIT Candy Container Made in US Zone Germany
Paypal   US $15.50
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Vintage Ephemera

OK, I thought, there is an advertising angle on this item that could drive the price up.  Then I started looking at all of the other paper mâche items that also sold for remarkable prices.  At first I was unable to understand how these could be going for so much money, but then I started looking more closely at the items that actually sold.  Although I've never thought about it, some of these pieces were truly works of art.  There were paper mâche dolls and paper mâche representations of famous statues that were very intricately detailed and hand painted.  Certainly, they are worthy of being called collectible at the very least.

Vintage Halloween paper mache items also sell very well. Actually, anything associated with a major holiday does OK. Most of the best selling items in this category seem to come from the 1930s, 1040s and 1950s. Honestly, the detail on some of these pieces is nothing short of amazing.

For being such delicate items, the ones that have sold have been remarkably well preserved.  If you come across any of these items being sold for reasonable prices at an estate sale or an auction, you may want to consider purchasing it.  If not for your own collection, then possibly to resell eBay.

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Collectible Vintage Labels

By its very nature, vintage ephemera is made up of things that usually do not get saved.  Old advertisements, papers that seem to have no more value, and even old labels are now actually very collectible.  Most examples of what is now considered vintage ephemera were thrown away years ago and sit buried in landfills.  Fortunately for collectors, there are still lots of attics filled with memory boxes and scrapbooks (not to mention junk drawers).

Vintage Dads Root Beer Bottle Label Chicago IL
Vintage Dads Root Beer Bottle Label Chicago IL
Paypal   US $.75
VINTAGE ESTATE LOT OF 2 NICE FRUIT CRATE BOX LABELS RARE BLUE GOOSE EMPIRE BUIL
VINTAGE ESTATE LOT OF 2 NICE FRUIT CRATE BOX LABELS RARE BLUE GOOSE EMPIRE BUIL
Paypal   US $.99
Vintage Silver Metal Hook Fast Hat Shirt Label Pin Badge Union Gas System Emblem
Vintage Silver Metal Hook Fast Hat Shirt Label Pin Badge Union Gas System Emblem
Paypal   US $.99
Perfecto Garcia Bros Vintage Cigar Label
Perfecto Garcia Bros Vintage Cigar Label
Paypal   US $.99
Paul Dudley Vintage Cigar Label
Paul Dudley Vintage Cigar Label
Paypal   US $.99
Campa Vista Vintage Cigar Label
Campa Vista Vintage Cigar Label
Paypal   US $.99
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Vintage Ephemera

As I started researching vintage labels as a collectible, I was surprised not only by the variety, but also by the specialization in what people choose to collect.  Some people want old perfume labels, others are strictly interested in the labels from vintage fruit crates.  Keep looking, and you'll see that still more people collect beer labels, medicine labels, cigar labels, firecracker labels and pretty much every other kind of advertising that has ever been applied to a box or bottle.

For collectors of these labels, each one is like a miniature work of art that is representative of the time it came from.  If you happen to have some old advertising stashed away for whatever reason, and you are thinking about selling it somewhere like Ebay, do a little bit of research before actually list it.  Along with specializing in certain areas of advertising, people can also be rather particular about the condition in which the label is sold.

People display these labels in a variety of ways.  Some people simply want to put them in scrapbooks for their own pleasure.  Other people use the labels that they purchase to make works of art.  Mounted alongside of vintage or antique photographs, labels can make a wonderful collage display that represents an era.  These can be wonderful displays on their own or can be part of a tribute to an era.  They can even be used as a special gift for someone reaching a milestone birthday.

No matter why you choose to collect them, vintage labels are a great way to look back at history.  Modern culture is captured in the advertising of each era and the art work is usually outstanding because it was created to be eye catching and popular among consumers.  Looking at antique and vintage labels may even get you looking around at what is being sold today.  If you can guess what will bring back memories in 20 or 30 years, you may want to stash it away now!

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I became interested in vintage ephemera by accident really.  I had been buying quite a bit of estate sale merchandise and included in the boxes upon boxes of items I brought home with me was quite a bit of very old, even antique ephemera.  It seemed that every time I took the larger vintage items out of their boxes, I would come across at least one or two handfuls of very old paper.  At first I didn't pay much attention to it, but then I started taking a closer look.

Lot II Ephemera 18 Mellon Thrift Vel Ajax East Caribbean $5 et al
Lot II Ephemera 18 Mellon Thrift Vel Ajax East Caribbean $5 et al
Paypal   US $.99
Lot III Ephemera 30 Cayman $1 Lottery Shakespeare Labels et al
Lot III Ephemera 30 Cayman $1 Lottery Shakespeare Labels et al
Paypal   US $.99
Big lot Banking Ephemera Cleveland Trust Early 1900s
Big lot Banking Ephemera Cleveland Trust Early 1900s
Paypal   US $.99
Vintage Paper Lot of Saint Raphael Academy Ephemera 1966 68
Vintage Paper Lot of Saint Raphael Academy Ephemera 1966 68
Paypal   US $.99
Collectible Ephemera Paper SOMETHING OLD SOMETHING NEW 1 Lot 200 Items 1 Pound
Collectible Ephemera Paper SOMETHING OLD SOMETHING NEW 1 Lot 200 Items 1 Pound
Paypal   US $.99
Mixed Lot2 Ephemera Bill Heads Portland Maine 1880s
Mixed Lot2 Ephemera Bill Heads Portland Maine 1880s
Paypal   US $.99
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Vintage Ephemera

To me, it seemed like the vintage paper ephemera told the tale of a time long gone.  What I found really interesting about it was that the history I was reading was the everyday history that people lived and then put behind them without ever writing about it.  Silly little things like local advertisements with items selling for five or ten cents, or antique cards that people played with and then threw in a drawer only to be dug out 50 years later for an estate sale.

If you have found yourself collecting ephemera, you probably understand what I'm talking about.  If you're not a collector, you might wonder why people hang on to so much old junk, let alone pay for.  All I can say is that it feels like you're looking at a piece of history.

If you are a collector and you haven't figured this out yet, you really should make the effort to go to some estate sales or estate sale auctions.  Oftentimes, you can purchase entire boxes filled with papers that are over 100 years old for just a few dollars.  It seems that the people running the estate state sales don't want to take the time to try to sell them individually on places like eBay.  I can understand that because both entire house filled with items such small things easily get pushed aside.  Of course this is not a guarantee.  Sometimes, it seems like now that I look for these boxes, I only find them once every seven or eight estate sales.  Maybe some people around here are catching on to how cool this stuff is.

Some of the more interesting things I have found include vintage postcards, postage stamps, vintage art and the correspondence written to the artist, vintage posters, tons vintage advertisements, probably about 10 vintage ticket stubs, vintage magazines, Disney ephemera, paper dolls from the early part of the 1900s, vintage catalog collections, and enough vintage scrapbooking material to fill two large boxes.  Some of this ephemera I've sold off on eBay, but somehow I have hung onto for no particular reason.  Every once in awhile I get the itch to look at it, and it is like having my own little museum commemorating the late 1800s through the mid 1900s.

I've decided to branch out a bit from strictly paper items for a short series of posts related to the Civil War and the collectibles still available from various states.  Civil War Pennsylvania collectibles will of course include items from Gettysburg, but although the Battle of Gettysburg stands out in the history books, Pennsylvania played a very important role for the Union cause for many reasons.  The second of the United States, Pennsylvania had a well established economic and industrial base that the North depended on for stability.  Not all Pennsylvanians were strong Union supporters, but they were some of the first responders to protect the capitol after the start of the war and over the course of the war, over 360,000 Pennsylvanians fought for the Union cause.

Preserving Pennsylvanias Historic Civil War Battle Flags Book
Preserving Pennsylvanias Historic Civil War Battle Flags Book
Paypal   US $.99
Great Central Sanitary Fair 1864 Philadelphia Pennsylvania Civil War Token
Great Central Sanitary Fair 1864 Philadelphia Pennsylvania Civil War Token
Paypal   US $1.25
1862 civil war era lancaster pennsylvania german almanac calander
1862 civil war era lancaster pennsylvania german almanac calander
Paypal   US $1.99
Civil War Document 1864 198th Pennsylvania Regiment Philadelphia Vintage Antique
Civil War Document 1864 198th Pennsylvania Regiment Philadelphia Vintage Antique
Paypal   US $6.27
Civil War Document 1864 Deserter 198th Pennsylvania Regiment Vintage Antique 64
Civil War Document 1864 Deserter 198th Pennsylvania Regiment Vintage Antique 64
Paypal   US $6.38
Civil War Tax stamp R55 on 1871 Pennsylvania surety Bond of John Christanz
Civil War Tax stamp R55 on 1871 Pennsylvania surety Bond of John Christanz
Paypal   US $9.05
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Vintage Ephemera

In a more general vein, I've noticed that there have been a lot of specials on television related to the Civil War so far this year.  I'm sure some of it has come about due to Lincoln's 200th birthday.  I've really enjoyed these shows when I come across them.  For all of the drivel put forth on many of the cable channels, I've got to give credit to the channels that focus on history and science.  Sure, they have some goofy shows designed to grab people's attention and compete with all of the cheesy bells and whistles offered by the networks, but in general, they usually put out some great, informative and entertaining shows.  If you enjoy learning about history and you have not already become a fan of these channels, I highly recommend checking them out.  If you are more of an ephemera fan, you will find that they often times have some great photos to check out that are not seen very often.

It is important to make sure that we remember our history.  I worry sometimes that many kids today are so used to seeing flashing bells and whistles every time they turn on the television or the computer that they may not take the time to learn about how all of that cool stuff got here.  I'm sure I'm not the first to have this concern though.  I was an exceptionally strange kid I suppose.  I remember my sister making fun of me because I read encyclopedias in my spare time.  I'm sure there are some kids out there now reading websites about science and history who will grow up to study even more about it.

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Reading an antique diary is probably the truest way to understand what life was like in a different era.  You can still get your hands on a 19th century diary for a reasonable price depending upon the author.  Without bells and whistles and movie stars added, all you read is the thoughts, feelings and daily activities of a person who lived long before you were ever even imagined.  Antique diaries and journals tell tales first hand that modern movies can only aspire to recreate with any level of authenticity.

Greens Diary Almanac GC Green laboratories 1885 86 Victorian agriculture
Greens Diary Almanac GC Green laboratories 1885 86 Victorian agriculture
Paypal   US $9.99
1891 Handwritten Diary SS Bismarck Sails NY Norway Arctic Ocean Laplander Camp
1891 Handwritten Diary SS Bismarck Sails NY Norway Arctic Ocean Laplander Camp
Paypal   US $9.99
Antique 1871 Day To Day Diary Ellen Wheeler Norwich NY
Antique 1871 Day To Day Diary Ellen Wheeler Norwich NY
Paypal   US $9.99
FOUR DIARIES YOUNG WOMAN FROM WALLACE NY 1877 83
FOUR DIARIES YOUNG WOMAN FROM WALLACE NY 1877 83
Paypal   US $10.49
1840s Record Diary of Lumber Cut Sawed and Sold
1840s Record Diary of Lumber Cut Sawed and Sold
Paypal   US $15.00
1883 1884 Greens Diary Almanac Medical cures calendar stories Great Artwork
1883 1884 Greens Diary Almanac Medical cures calendar stories Great Artwork
Paypal   US $15.00
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Vintage Ephemera

Some of the most compelling writing you will ever read can be found within the pages of antique diaries.  These old collections are where the true experience of every day life was captured and recorded without any editing or cleaning up for the sake of making things more palatable to modern readers.  I have never found a diary dating back past the turn of the last century myself.  I have however purchased some antique diaries from the period between 1910 and 1920 and I can tell you that they described what sounds, at times, like a completely different world.  What is interesting to me though is the fact that even though things were much different as far as every day events and news were concerned, the day to day happenings sound remarkably similar to what one might focus on and write about today.  The minutia of the day is now very interesting to us because we long to learn what life was really like that long ago.  It can make us wonder how different things will be one hundred years from now.  Will people look back at us in the year 2110 and wonder how we dealt with the "primitive" conditions of today?  It makes for an interesting thought and it gives a new perspective to reading those old 19th century diaries and other vintage ephemera.

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Although I mentioned vintage greeting cards already, I think it is interesting that people actually specialize their interest to specific holidays.  You can see this a lot if you check out the postcards listings.  Vintage Halloween Postcards are tremendously popular and command some very high prices at times.

One that is coming up (and that I'll be listing for) is Valentines Day.  Vintage Valentine Cards are usually pretty popular items at this time of year.  The craftier types enjoy using the beautiful old images to make customized presents or to decorate scrapbook pages.  I think it's great that some people are creative enough to take something so old, that many would have just discarded, and turn it into something new and beautiful again.

Fuzzy VALENTINES DAY CARD RUST CRAFT FOR SPECIAL TEACHER USED Vintage 1940 60s
Fuzzy VALENTINES DAY CARD RUST CRAFT FOR SPECIAL TEACHER USED Vintage 1940 60s
Paypal   US $.29
Vintage Valetine card with mouse and telephone
Vintage Valetine card with mouse and telephone
Paypal   US $.45
Vintage Valentines Day Card Boy and Girl at Carnival Unused
Vintage Valentines Day Card Boy and Girl at Carnival Unused
Paypal   US $.99
2 Vintage Valentines Day Card How about a Big Hug You cant be beat
2 Vintage Valentines Day Card How about a Big Hug You cant be beat
Paypal   US $.49
Vintage Valentines Day Card Carlton cardA Valentines Day Wish
Vintage Valentines Day Card Carlton cardA Valentines Day Wish
Paypal   US $.49
Vintage Valentine Elmer Elephant Blows his English horn
Vintage Valentine Elmer Elephant Blows his English horn
Paypal   US $.50
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Vintage Ephemera

If you are a seller on eBay and you have found yourself in possession of some old Valentines, take a few minutes to peruse the completed listings for the vintage greeting cards.  Some sell pretty well individually, but others won't be likely to sell unless you put them together and offer them as a lot to potential buyers.

What I found interesting is that checking on this category at any time of year still brings up decent sales, often topping one hundred dollars for items that are more in demand.  Even two weeks before Christmas, bidders were still quite interested in buying up Valentines Day greeting cards, postcards and other collectible items.

If you are a buyer and you enjoy going out to estate sales and the like, you will most likely have to dig to find these.  Many people who run estate sales throw these all together in small boxes to be sold as a lot.  This is generally true of a lot of vintage ephemera.  The price you will be charged depends mostly on who is having the actual estate sale and how much they have studied the market for old paper items.  Usually the prices are not that bad, because they see those boxes as something that won't get a lot of attention.

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Although I find it interesting, I'll admit readily that I am personally not an expert on paper money value.  Lucky for people like me, there are plenty of experts out there who really know what they are doing.  There are also a lot of great books about the subject of collecting money. If you collect money, you should probably consider investing in one or two paper money value guides They can be a decent starting point for what to expect if you are buying or selling collectible paper money.  Don't base all of your expectations on what you see though.  You are much better off seeing what things are actually selling for on sites like eBay.  You might also check with local dealers in antique money if you have any nearby, but honestly, checking out eBay is going to give you the best "real world" idea of a collectibles value.  Like it or not, eBay has changed the way collectibles are bought and sold today.

eBay does have a lot of serious collectors who do this type of selling on a full time basis.  Most of the time, it only takes a few seconds of reading the listings to see if people know what they are talking about.

Remember that the feedback score a seller has earned is a fantastic way to gauge how they treat customers and what type of products they deliver.  I personally don't buy off of anyone with less than a 98% positive feedback rating, but that is just me.

Here are some currency related items that might interest you.  If you check the feedback of this seller, I believe you will find that it is excellent.  That really is one of the first things you should look at if you are considering making a purchase of something with considerable value.

US CURRENCY 1934 $1 FUNNYBACK SILVER CERTIFICATE Old Paper Money in VGood Fine
US CURRENCY 1934 $1 FUNNYBACK SILVER CERTIFICATE Old Paper Money in VGood Fine
Paypal   US $.60
US CURRENCY 1963B $1 BARR FRN Only 28 Days in Office Chicago Bank CU Perfect
US CURRENCY 1963B $1 BARR FRN Only 28 Days in Office Chicago Bank CU Perfect
Paypal   US $1.00
US CURRENCY 2009 $1 FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE STAR GEM UNCIRCULATED Paper Money
US CURRENCY 2009 $1 FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE STAR GEM UNCIRCULATED Paper Money
Paypal   US $1.25
US CURRENCY 2003A $5 STAR GEM ATLANTA FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE Old Paper Money
US CURRENCY 2003A $5 STAR GEM ATLANTA FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE Old Paper Money
Paypal   US $1.25
US CURRENCY 1963A $2 RED SEAL US NOTE GEM UNCIRCULATED Old Paper Money FREE SHIP
US CURRENCY 1963A $2 RED SEAL US NOTE GEM UNCIRCULATED Old Paper Money FREE SHIP
Paypal   US $2.25
US CURRENCY 2004A $1000000 GIFT LOOK ALIKE FAUX NOTES
US CURRENCY 2004A $1000000 GIFT LOOK ALIKE FAUX NOTES
Paypal   US $2.49
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Vintage Ephemera
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This is an interesting little booklet from the 1929 Fayette County (PA) Teachers' Institute.  This booklet was a guide to the events taking place from October 28 - November 1, 1929.  I suppose its collectibility is dependent on whether folks are collecting old programs from various events and/or teacher related items.  I've found that people who collect vintage ephemera either seem to specialize in one particular area, or they enjoy looking at all of the old stuff.

There are hundreds and possibly thousands of old programs being sold on eBay during any given day.  These are actually a great example of an item that usually does not get kept for all that long.  Sure, you keep a program from a graduation or a wedding.  Maybe even from a school play to help you to remember a special day in someone's childhood.  Programs like this though, that are often work related, get thrown out much of the time.  Be honest, how long after it is necessary to keep it, do you usually keep work related stuff?  Even better, do you really consider any of it collectible at all?

Most of the time, this stuff gets ditched because we can see no real value in it.  As time passes though, items like these take on a historical significance and we use them to learn about how people lived in a different era.  For example, looking at a program like this from a teacher in-service type of day can teach you about changes in school policies and payment for teachers.  Granted, it is not the most compelling reading for everyone, but for someone with an interest in the history of the teaching profession, the data could be quite valuable.

vintage pro wrestling item wwf program 7 26 82 wwe raw smackdown moondogs nwa
vintage pro wrestling item wwf program 7 26 82 wwe raw smackdown moondogs nwa
Paypal   US $.06
Vintage New York Harlem ASTRONAUTS 1962 AUTOGRAPHED Program Globetrotter RARE
Vintage New York Harlem ASTRONAUTS 1962 AUTOGRAPHED Program Globetrotter RARE
Paypal   US $.99
Vintage 2000 Walt Disney World Epcot Commemorative Program Guide Booklet
Vintage 2000 Walt Disney World Epcot Commemorative Program Guide Booklet
Paypal   US $.99
Vintage 1972 73 Chicago Bulls Vs KC Omaha Kings Basketball 50 Page Program
Vintage 1972 73 Chicago Bulls Vs KC Omaha Kings Basketball 50 Page Program
Paypal   US $.99
Vintage 72 Page 1974 Chicago Black Hawks Boston Bruins Playoff Program Hockey
Vintage 72 Page 1974 Chicago Black Hawks Boston Bruins Playoff Program Hockey
Paypal   US $.99
Vintage 1972 Baseball Chicago White Sox Official Scorebook Program Vs Oakland As
Vintage 1972 Baseball Chicago White Sox Official Scorebook Program Vs Oakland As
Paypal   US $.99
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Vintage Ephemera
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There are folks out there who for one reason or another are on the lookout for vintage greeting cards. All kinds of old cards are getting bought and sold every day. Valentine's cards with adorable little cupids, Christmas cards covered with beautifully illustrated images of families sharing the holiday while carolers sing outside. There are a lot of great images from days gone by.  It is my guess that these are used for scrap booking or other crafts, but my guess is rather irrelevant.   They contain artwork from another era and they're interesting to check out.  I recently came across a lot of 1930's - 1940's cards that I've been listing in small lots of ten. 

If you are a scrap booking person and you have not considered using items like this, well, why not?  These can give an outstanding period feel for specific pages in your scrapbook.

Lots of these old greeting cards sell extremely well.  If you are a buyer, take a close look and see what is available in the greeting card lots.  You may find some hidden gems in there.

VINTAGE JUST THINK YOURE 5 BIRTHDAY GREETING CARD 1948
VINTAGE JUST THINK YOURE 5 BIRTHDAY GREETING CARD 1948
Paypal   US $5.00
VTG LOT OF 8 KIDS GREETING CARDS W BOX TOYCARDS
VTG LOT OF 8 KIDS GREETING CARDS W BOX TOYCARDS
Paypal   US $5.24
Vintage 1943 Hallmark Christmas Greeting Card GIs in military Jeep WWII
Vintage 1943 Hallmark Christmas Greeting Card GIs in military Jeep WWII
Paypal   US $5.24
VINTAGE VALENTINE ANTHROPOMORPHIC GREEN PEPPER VEGETABLE OLD GREETING CARD
VINTAGE VALENTINE ANTHROPOMORPHIC GREEN PEPPER VEGETABLE OLD GREETING CARD
Paypal   US $5.50
VINTAGE VALENTINE DACHSHUND WEINER DOG PUPPY LONGING FOR YOU OLD GREETING CARD
VINTAGE VALENTINE DACHSHUND WEINER DOG PUPPY LONGING FOR YOU OLD GREETING CARD
Paypal   US $5.50
VINTAGE LITTLE LAMB HELPING CELEBRATE 2 BIRTHDAY GREETING CARD
VINTAGE LITTLE LAMB HELPING CELEBRATE 2 BIRTHDAY GREETING CARD
Paypal   US $5.50
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Vintage Ephemera

If you are going to purchase any of these, read the listing carefully and if it isn't mentioned, as the seller whether there is any kind of mildew smell in the lot.  I do find a lot of old paper when I go out hitting estate sales and there have been a lot of times when I was thrilled to find some old book or very old papers but then found that they smelled of mildew.  You really don't want to pay anyone for a stack of mildewed papers.

If you are a person who likes to go out and find your own collectibles, be warned that these often do not make it to the main selling area when you visit estate sales. When I have found them, it has often been as part of a much larger lot of merchandise. Simply put, the people who have these sales often do not recognize the value of what they have. These often get tossed aside as an afterthought. Sometimes they make it into a box to get sold and sometimes they end up just getting thrown away. If you are motivated to go out and scour estate sales for vintage and antique ephemera items, you will quickly learn that sometimes you have to do some dealing with the proprietor of the sale. It isn't so much that they will want to wheel and deal, it is more often that they don't want to be bothered to look for such items. You may have to do some exploring on your own and then track someone down for help.

There is a good chance that you will have to ask them for a price. This can be good news if you are bold enough to talk to the people. They may not want to be bothered and offer you a good price on a large lot of vintage greeting cards. Of course, you don't want to look too excited about the find or they may just decide to give you a much higher price.

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I will still post at this site, but right now I'm focusing on clearing some items out before the holidays arrive.  I've started a blog featuring many old collectible items that I need to get moved out of my game room.  I'll post more about it soon.

Michael Jordan...A Michael Autograph is worth some bucks.  Although this site is called "Antique Ephemera", I also like to keep an eye on what newer items are looking very collectible.  Antique and vintage ephemera can take a while to appreciate in value.  Some other things are almost instant classics.  As I was doing some Google and eBay research, I noticed that Michael Jordan autographs seem to be extremely popular and collectible.  I'm not a very big basketball fan, but I do follow along to play fantasy basketball with some neighbors.  There are some big names around nowadays, Kobe, LeBron, but in my opinion, no one even comes close to the charisma and just plain HUGE personality and talent that Michael brought to the game.  I'm watching eBay myself to see if I can find one ending at an oddball time when it might be possible to snag it at a reasonably low cost.  What other sports star could still sell underwear several years after retiring?

Michael Jordan Autographed Photo
Michael Jordan Autographed Photo
Paypal   US $2.25
Autographed Photo Michael Jordan
Autographed Photo Michael Jordan
Paypal   US $5.00
Air Michael Jordan Larry Bird Ervin Magic Johnson Reprint Autograph 8x10 Photo
Air Michael Jordan Larry Bird Ervin Magic Johnson Reprint Autograph 8x10 Photo
Paypal   US $5.95
Michael Jordan and Derrick Rose Autographs Chicago Bulls Authentic W COA
Michael Jordan and Derrick Rose Autographs Chicago Bulls Authentic W COA
Paypal   US $33.00
Magic Johnson Autographed Los Angeles Lakers 16x20 Photo w Michael Jordan PSA
Magic Johnson Autographed Los Angeles Lakers 16x20 Photo w Michael Jordan PSA
Paypal   US $36.00
MICHAEL JORDAN SIGNED AUTO AUTOGRAPH OFFICIAL AL BALL
MICHAEL JORDAN SIGNED AUTO AUTOGRAPH OFFICIAL AL BALL
Paypal   US $36.00
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Vintage Ephemera

Now, I'm not talking chump change when I say that Michael autographs are valuable.  Find one on the right rookie card and you could be talking about something that sells on eBay for over $5000.  Sure, that is the exception, but still, that is a nice chunk of change for a card that is from the 1980s.

During a recent check, autographed jerseys and shirts also did pretty well.  They were selling in some cases for over one thousand dollars each.  I'm still waiting for one of those elusive deals where a gem falls through the eBay cracks with this item.  It might be a while.  People watch these pretty closely.

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This is a very interesting old memo pad that I picked up at an estate sale.  It must have been given out as a premium by Dr. Pierce's medical products.  It is filled with testimonials and descriptions of products.  Of course there is a ton of stuff there that has probably been proven incorrect in the years since by doctors and scientists.  It's a very interesting item to read.  It has a 1901 calendar at the top of each page.

This is the rear cover of the memo pad.

The writings addressed several specific complaints of patients. Particularly women in this case.

These antique advertisements really fascinate me.  When I look at the world of advertising today, with all of the fireworks, bells and whistles, it is simply amazing to think that this is how is was done just a century ago.  What is also sort of amusing is that advertisers are still trying to push the same buttons with consumers.  Especially if you ever find any "make money" or "work at home" types of ads.  The tools they offer to get the job change, but the sales pitch stays the same.

ANTIQUEUNDATED CHURCH SCHEDULE HIS CROSS WAS HIS OWNVINTAGE PAPER
ANTIQUEUNDATED CHURCH SCHEDULE HIS CROSS WAS HIS OWNVINTAGE PAPER
Paypal   US $.49
1918 ANTIQUE CIGARETTE ROLLING PAPERS RIZIAT
1918 ANTIQUE CIGARETTE ROLLING PAPERS RIZIAT
Paypal   US $.99
Old Vintage Antique Collectible The Wonder Paper Box See Description
Old Vintage Antique Collectible The Wonder Paper Box See Description
Paypal   US $.99
antique 2 hole paper punch
antique 2 hole paper punch
Paypal   US $.99
photos on paper James Draper LShaeffer politic antique campaign posters
photos on paper James Draper LShaeffer politic antique campaign posters
Paypal   US $.99
Antique 1920s 30s 21 German Paper Mache Papier Mache composition walker DOLL
Antique 1920s 30s 21 German Paper Mache Papier Mache composition walker DOLL
Paypal   US $.99
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Vintage Ephemera

If you watch television at all or read magazines, you also know that the advertisements really tell a lot about what is going on with society at the moment.  In some cases, advertising drives what is going on in society as people catch on to some buzz and build it up to huge proportions.  With the Internet today, things go "viral" and all of a sudden everyone has heard about one thing or another.  I wonder if this happened at all with antique advertising, but on a smaller and slower scale.  Collecting vintage ephemera can help us to learn about how things worked in the past.  That is another thing I like about it as a hobby.

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Civil War pictures and papers are a tough find.  This video from the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Museum shows off some neat old papers found in an Alabama attic!

1995 Proof Civil War Comm Dollar no box or papers
1995 Proof Civil War Comm Dollar no box or papers
Paypal   US $25.05
Authentic Rare Civil War Discharge Papers Rank Captain Illinois 20th 1865
Authentic Rare Civil War Discharge Papers Rank Captain Illinois 20th 1865
Paypal   US $475.00
Vintage Ephemera

Here are some haunting old photos from that sad time in American history.

I've gone to a lot of estate sales in my time and I honestly never come across these items.  I'm not sure where they are coming from because there seems to be a constant supply of them available on eBay.  I think people listing these things have probably recognized their value for a long time and have been storing them away in attics or scrapbooks just waiting for the day that they would actually get around to selling them.

Certainly there are people who like to collect Civil War pictures and papers.  They most likely will not part with their treasures unless they are putting them into a museum of some sort.  I was very surprised to see how relatively common it was to see items from the Civil War turning up in eBay auctions.  My gut instinct would have been to think they would be extremely rare and hard to find.

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