Leader Board Ad

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

So, JP Morgan, Millionaire, had a niece...And the niece had a book...and here it is.

#vintagebooks #bookcollecting #jomorgan #newyorkhistory #vintagenewyork #foundastory #urbanarcheology #estatesalefinds #cool #history

It isn’t just the contents that can hold a reader's attention, the book itself as a piece of history is its own mental glue. I bought this 1905 book and had the feeling that there was something special about it. Among the 3 previous owners the one that it think is the most interesting (at the moment) is Ursula J Morgan. At the time when this book was in her possession, her uncle JP Morgan was building a Mansion in Sloatsburg NY. She would be married on the grounds of that 54 room mansion while this book was in her possession. 
from Instagram

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Coincidence! The best kind in "Incident" Harriet Beecher Stowe

#museum #urbanarcheology #diggingintohistory #history #estatesales #losthistory #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.

from Instagram

Friday, January 17, 2020

Red Man Chewing Tobacco American Indian Chiefs trading cards

#diggingintohistory #history #estatesales #losthistory #Nostalgia #vintage #design #thewaywewere #foundastory #urbanarcheology #cool #tobacco #redman #chewinggum #collectibles #tradingcards #advertising #illustration #indians #americanindians
(Update: picture may not be visable, "Arrrgh!") 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

from Instagram

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Free! But not really.

#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?
from Instagram

Saturday, January 4, 2020

My parents house in 1958


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

from Instagram