I was prepping an example of 19th century magic lantern slides using the story of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The story, written in the years leading up to the civil war revealed the hardships of the enslaved. It was very popular but also helped to solidify the polarization of the North and South. I also discovered two things that were personally interesting revelations. First, I had no idea that she was born here in Connecticut, and just a few towns away from me. Second, I had purchased a very old book at a sale recently because it was one the oldest I had seen (1819) and it involved someone from Cornwall Connecticut- a few towns away. I decided to give it a closer look. When I dug up the book in my collection I was stunned to find that it had been written by Harriet’s father Lyman Beecher! I can tell you from experience that if you dig in the past you are going to discover some very wild coincidences from time to time. #museum #urbanarcheology #diggingintohistory #history #estatesales #losthistory #found #Nostalgia #vintage #design #foundastory #urbanarcheology #cool #books #rarebooks #bookcollecting #oldbooks #magiclantern #harrietbeecherstowe

I was prepping an example of 19th century magic lantern slides using the story of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The story, written in the years leading up to the civil war revealed the hardships of the enslaved. It was very popular but also helped to solidify the polarization of the North and South. I also discovered two things that were personally interesting revelations. First, I had no idea that she was born here in Connecticut, and just a few towns away from me. Second, I had purchased a very old book at a sale recently because it was one the oldest I had seen (1819) and it involved someone from Cornwall Connecticut- a few towns away. I decided to give it a closer look. When I dug up the book in my collection I was stunned to find that it had been written by Harriet’s father Lyman Beecher! I can tell you from experience that if you dig in the past you are going to discover some very wild coincidences from time to time. #museum #urbanarcheology #diggingintohistory #history #estatesales #losthistory #Nostalgia #vintage #design #foundastory #urbanarcheology #cool #books #rarebooks #bookcollecting #oldbooks #magiclantern #harrietbeecherstowe

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In 1954 every bag of Red Man Chewing Tobacco came with these collectors series of American Indian Chiefs trading cards. They are interesting little factoid sheets that provide some insight to the plight of many Indian tribes. Who the intended audience was remains a mystery. Men? Teens? Possibly the sons accompanying dad in his quest to die of cancer? The cards proudly state that these are Fun, Educational and Entertainment. Fortunately, Big League Chew would eventually provide a better example for those who need this oral fixation. #museum #urbanarcheology #diggingintohistory #history #estatesales #losthistory #found #Nostalgia #vintage #design #thewaywewere #foundastory #urbanarcheology #cool #tobacco #redman #chewinggum #collectibles #tradingcards #advertising #illustration #indians #americanindians

In 1954 every bag of Red Man Chewing Tobacco came with these collectors series of American Indian Chiefs trading cards. They are interesting little factoid sheets that provide some insight to the plight of many Indian tribes. Who the intended audience was remains a mystery. Men? Teens? Possibly the sons accompanying dad in his quest to die of cancer? The cards proudly state that these are Fun, Educational and Entertainment. Fortunately, Big League Chew would eventually provide a better example for those who need this oral fixation. #museum #urbanarcheology #diggingintohistory #history #estatesales #losthistory #Nostalgia #vintage #design #thewaywewere #foundastory #urbanarcheology #cool #tobacco #redman #chewinggum #collectibles #tradingcards #advertising #illustration #indians #americanindians

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Free! But not really. Full color! But not right now. This ad from the 60s-70s is full of promise and yet somehow guaranteed to disappoint. I wonder how many fell for the bold graphics and alluring promise? #found #advertising #vintageads #printads #patriotism #museum #urbanarcheology #diggingintohistory #history #estatesales #losthistory #Nostalgia #vintage #design #retro #thewaywewere #foundastory #urbanarcheology #cool

Free! But not really. Full color! But not right now. This ad from the 60s-70s is full of promise and yet somehow guaranteed to disappoint. I wonder how many fell for the bold graphics and alluring promise? #advertising #vintageads #printads #patriotism #museum #urbanarcheology #diggingintohistory #history #estatesales #losthistory #Nostalgia #vintage #design #retro #thewaywewere #foundastory #urbanarcheology #cool

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My parents house in 1958, before TV would become the centerpiece of the home. How many channels do you think it received? #found #Nostalgia #vintage #television #design #retro #tv #thewaywewere #foundastory #urbanarcheology #foundphotos #cool

My parents house in 1958, before TV would become the centerpiece of the home. How many channels do you think it received? #Nostalgia #vintage #television #design #retro #tv #thewaywewere #foundastory #urbanarcheology #foundphotos #cool

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1938 ad for Grace Lines. 100% Pirate approved! How times - and Pirates - have changed. The Grace company began business in the mid-1800s as a shipping company and is the same Grace as WR Grace, a worldwide chemical and manufacturing conglomerate. #found #vintageads #advertising #illustration #cruises #carribean #foundastory #urbanarcheology #estatesalefinds.

1938 ad for Grace Lines. 100% Pirate approved! How times - and Pirates - have changed. The Grace company began business in the mid-1800s as a shipping company and is the same Grace as WR Grace, a worldwide chemical and manufacturing conglomerate. #vintageads #advertising #illustration #cruises #carribean #foundastory #urbanarcheology #estatesalefinds.

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The gifts are wrapped the stockings are stuffed and I am up at 1am because my favorite version of “A Christmas Carol” with Reginald Owen is on. The version of Rudolph is an odd one. Not the original 1949 pressing but one that was originally a 45 rpm and then redistributed as a 78 with a sticker added to cover up the 45. Another mystery to solve. This record couldn’t be broken “in normal use.” As it was missing from the sleeve, I am assuming something abnormal occurred. #found #vinyl #vintagerecords #rudolphtherednosedreindeer #christmas #geneautry #estatesalefinds #foundastory #urbanarcheology

The gifts are wrapped the stockings are stuffed and I am up at 1am because my favorite version of “A Christmas Carol” with Reginald Owen is on. The version of Rudolph is an odd one. Not the original 1949 pressing but one that was originally a 45 rpm and then redistributed as a 78 with a sticker added to cover up the 45. Another mystery to solve. This record couldn’t be broken “in normal use.” As it was missing from the sleeve, I am assuming something abnormal occurred. #vinyl #vintagerecords #rudolphtherednosedreindeer #christmas #geneautry #estatesalefinds #foundastory #urbanarcheology

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Went looking for a story yesterday....and a sale at the estate of blues rock guitarist Johnny Winter (died 2014). There was little evidence of his long successful career except for a mic stand and a wooden road case with a “J” carved on it. I noticed a collection of science fiction and fantasy paperbacks. This one had a bookmark with some words that could make a good song verse for the blues. I think it makes a good story for my next public presentation. #found #music #bluesrock #johnnywinter #estatesale #publicspeaking #lyrics #aldoushuxley #foundastory #urbanarcheology

Went looking for a story yesterday....and a sale at the estate of blues rock guitarist Johnny Winter (died 2014). There was little evidence of his long successful career except for a mic stand and a wooden road case with a “J” carved on it. I noticed a collection of science fiction and fantasy paperbacks. This one had a bookmark with some words that could make a good song verse for the blues. I think it makes a good story for my next public presentation. #music #bluesrock #johnnywinter #estatesale #publicspeaking #lyrics #aldoushuxley #foundastory #urbanarcheology

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Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941. A date which shall live in infamy. #found #collectibles #alcohol #jimbeam #pearlharbor #foundastor #remember. #urbanarcheology.

Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941. A date which shall live in infamy. #collectibles #alcohol #jimbeam #pearlharbor #foundastor #remember. #urbanarcheology.

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This is for my friends in Newtown. I know this is a sore subject because this Inn, which I visited many times, eventually closed for economic reasons. I miss it terribly but like all history buffs, I miss what it represents - a time when things were simpler and change wasn’t a concern. Change really does stink sometimes. I think this postcard is from the 1970s or early 80s. #found #postcards #nostalgia #connecticut #newtown #hawleymanor #foundastory #urbanarcheology #estatesalefinds.

This is for my friends in Newtown. I know this is a sore subject because this Inn, which I visited many times, eventually closed for economic reasons. I miss it terribly but like all history buffs, I miss what it represents - a time when things were simpler and change wasn’t a concern. Change really does stink sometimes. I think this postcard is from the 1970s or early 80s. #postcards #nostalgia #connecticut #newtown #hawleymanor #foundastory #urbanarcheology #estatesalefinds.

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