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Saturday, December 24, 2016

Here to hoping you get what you want this holiday season. #found #disney #frontierland #games #collectables #nostalgia #estatesale #1950s


Here to hoping you get what you want this holiday season. #disney #frontierland #games #collectables #nostalgia #estatesale #1950s

from Instagram

Friday, December 23, 2016

Monday, December 19, 2016

Vintage Prank Call Video: A tale of 2 Ponderosa Restaurants and the Rodneys that worked there

Those mix tapes created in the 70's and 80's still have a better chance of surviving than CD's. Here is proof!
Audio Cassette 1980's Mix Tape

My good pal Tony recorded many foolish things we did - a radio show for one - but he also recorded a few prank calls. One of this defies description and must be "seen" to be believed.  I produced a video to help explain the set-up and result. Take a look!

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Treasure box unpacking Saturday morning. I will be my first attempt at insta- video. Here is one of the lantern slides - late 20s theatre or vaudeville? #found #foundphotos #lanternslides #estatesale #oldphotos #1920s #urbanarcheology


Treasure box unpacking Saturday morning. I will be my first attempt at insta- video. Here is one of the lantern slides - late 20s theatre or vaudeville? #foundphotos #lanternslides #estatesale #oldphotos #1920s #urbanarcheology

from Instagram

Friday, December 16, 2016

Would join me for a live un-boxing of the estate sale treasure chest? Comment with "yes!" or something like it and I will post the schedule. I know there are some NYC glass slides in here and they are old! #found #instagramvideo #slides #newyorkcity #estatesale #foundphotos #unboxing #livepicking #urbanarchology #video #live


Would join me for a live un-boxing of the estate sale treasure chest? Comment with "yes!" or something like it and I will post the schedule. I know there are some NYC glass slides in here and they are old! #instagramvideo #slides #newyorkcity #estatesale #foundphotos #unboxing #livepicking #urbanarchology #video #live

from Instagram

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Monday, November 28, 2016

My number one Urban Archeology tip for finding treasure? "Get on all fours and check your drawers." Found this nearly worthless currency while looking through this old desk at a Connecticut estate sale Saturday. #estatesale #money #found #connecticut #dig #urbanarcheology #tips


My number one Urban Archeology tip for finding treasure? "Get on all fours and check your drawers." Found this nearly worthless currency while looking through this old desk at a Connecticut estate sale Saturday. #estatesale #money #connecticut #dig #urbanarcheology #tips

from Instagram

Sunday, November 27, 2016

The Eagle Lock Company Terryville Connecticut

#connecticut #collectible #keys #estatesalefinds #estatesale #antique #eaglelockcompany
The Eagle Lock Co Terryville CT made cabinet trunk and padlocks from 1833 to 1975. Very common to find these during weekend digs but still interesting to see even a worn key with elaborate stamping.
from Instagram

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Still in its packaging this early sample of a technological breakthrough from Wallace Carothers at the DuPont experiment station. Nylon was all the rage in the 1940s, causing at least one riot over the fashionable leg covering. This cord was another by-product though might have paled by comparison. #nostalgia #found #estatesale #nylon #chemistry #invention #oldproducts #1940sfashion #1940s


Still in its packaging this early sample of a technological breakthrough from Wallace Carothers at the DuPont experiment station. Nylon was all the rage in the 1940s, causing at least one riot over the fashionable leg covering. This cord was another by-product though might have paled by comparison. #nostalgia #estatesale #nylon #chemistry #invention #oldproducts #1940sfashion #1940s

from Instagram

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Loose translation: From Giuseppe to Francesco: "I hope to see you when I come to America." If you can't connect with family this Holiday, connect with a friend. #friends #thanksgiving #found #foundphoto #italian #inspiration #estatesale #antiques #immigration #20thcentury


Loose translation: From Giuseppe to Francesco: "I hope to see you when I come to America." If you can't connect with family this Holiday, connect with a friend. #friends #thanksgiving #foundphoto #italian #inspiration #estatesale #antiques #immigration #20thcentury

from Instagram

Monday, November 21, 2016

More treasure from the ancient bottle dump. These may be a certain kind of ceramic button from the 1840s. More research to follow. #found #buttons #ceramic #archeology #urbanarcheology #bottledump #19thcentury. #antique #fashion #buttoncollection


More treasure from the ancient bottle dump. These may be a certain kind of ceramic button from the 1840s. More research to follow. #buttons #ceramic #archeology #urbanarcheology #bottledump #19thcentury. #antique #fashion #buttoncollection

from Instagram

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Saturday, November 12, 2016

In honor of the Sony Walkman recently celebrating a birthday, I give the Graphophone! The was more a recorder but the height of audio technology of its day. Except for the baby everyone else looks a little undead. #antique #oldpaper #audio #sony #recorder #advertising #found #estatesales #zombies


In honor of the Sony Walkman recently celebrating a birthday, I give the Graphophone! The was more a recorder but the height of audio technology of its day. Except for the baby everyone else looks a little undead. #antique #oldpaper #audio #sony #recorder #advertising #estatesales #zombies

from Instagram

Friday, November 11, 2016

Thank you Lt Joseph Weiner WWII Veteran deceased who left his collection of posters and maps for me to find appreciate and retell what little I know of his sacrifice for his country. Joe, your story lives on with this stranger. I hope that's ok. #found #worldwar2 #veterans #appreciation #memories #service #veteransday


Thank you Lt Joseph Weiner WWII Veteran deceased who left his collection of posters and maps for me to find appreciate and retell what little I know of his sacrifice for his country. Joe, your story lives on with this stranger. I hope that's ok. #worldwar2 #veterans #appreciation #memories #service #veteransday

from Instagram

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Alcatraz Island Postcard 1962


"Alcatraz Island was once a paradise. You kind made desert of it...ages ago." Dr Zaius. #postcard #nostalgia #funny #1962 #estatesale #alcatraz #california #prison

from Instagram

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

What? Me Worry?

 #elections #voting #mad #collectibles #postcard #anxiety #nostalgia #1957 #estatesale
No. Not anxious at all. Nope. This postcard from 1957 says it all. Happy Election Day!

from Instagram

Monday, November 7, 2016

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Found in a book from 1890.

 #political #elections #found #book #bookmark #prophetic #1890 #thingsfoundinbooks #mildlyinteresting #decision2016 #odd #cool #estatesale #oldpaper
I know some pretty interesting people. This piece of paper would never have been discovered if I hadn't called upon a friend, Kevin, who advised me to buy the book that contained it.  He knows a a thing or 3000 about books from the Civil War era and I knew to call him about this one. Saving that book for another post, but upon inspection - this is what I do - I found this little scrap of paper, which I thought was rather neat for what is says of the two-party system. 

Proof that some things never change. What I enjoyed was that it can be read to mean either something big for the GOP or something bad. You could really interpret it either way. 

One final note: Although I found this in a book from 1864, this paper was from 1890 or later. One clue, the paper is accidified, browned fragile. If it were from 1864 it would more likely have been made of rag paper, insted of wood pulp. 
from Instagram

Saturday, November 5, 2016

It's a Dog's Life

 #dogs #pets #americankennelclub #akc #pedigree #1947 #ephemera #old #paper #documents #estatesale
I wish it was permissible to more than just a few celebrities to name our children as creatively as registered AKC dogs. Found in a box of papers, this document shows the level of organization it takes to keep a purebred pure. My Favorite name in the batch? "Selkirk Snooksie"

from Instagram

Friday, November 4, 2016

Too much information? Need the Tl;dr? Dobbins electric soap was for clothes washing from a secret French recipe that the manufacturers paid $50k for. #odd #found #old #antique #advertising #estatesale #rarebooks #ephemera #cool


Too much information? Need the Tl;dr? Dobbins electric soap was for clothes washing from a secret French recipe that the manufacturers paid $50k for. #odd #old #antique #advertising #estatesale #rarebooks #ephemera #cool

from Instagram

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

If you were getting married in 1849...

 #rarebooks #antiques #books #marriage #wedding #gift #book #old #nuptials #1849 #found #estatesale
If you were getting married in 1849 you really should get your Cotesworth. This mini book "The Wedding Gift" is smaller than a deck of cards has guilt edges and a nice though pitted binding/spine. Edited by Cotesworh Pinckney.

from Instagram

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Monday, October 31, 2016

What if there was no Cop on the Corner?

Police, Ephemera, Fliers
Flier from the United World Federalists late 1950s. Things I find become touchstone learning points. I had no idea this organization existed which seeks global order through world government. Good idea or pipe dream, or potential for more disorder? A one world State - Dytopian, or Utopian?

from Instagram

Sunday, October 30, 2016

From the Rhode Island Almanac 1862. Back when the dictionary was just a pamphlet. This edition gave special attention to military terms of the day. #civilwar #ephemera #advertising #dictionary #old #paper #almanac #1862 #found #estatesale


From the Rhode Island Almanac 1862. Back when the dictionary was just a pamphlet. This edition gave special attention to military terms of the day. #civilwar #ephemera #advertising #dictionary #old #paper #almanac #1862 #estatesale

from Instagram

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Illustrator JF Kernan could be seen on many major magazine covers from around the mid 1930s. No title on this one but the 2 venerable gentlemen are becoming heating over the upcoming election from 1928. Some things never change. #illustration. #elks #magazinecover #1928 #election2016 #politics #found #art #estatesales #disagreement #argue #vote


Illustrator JF Kernan could be seen on many major magazine covers from around the mid 1930s. No title on this one but the 2 venerable gentlemen are becoming heating over the upcoming election from 1928. Some things never change. #illustration. #elks #magazinecover #1928 #election2016 #politics #art #estatesales #disagreement #argue #vote

from Instagram

Monday, October 24, 2016

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

TV nostalgia before they were famous. Paul Lynde (signed!) Alice Ghostly (sp) Robert Clarey (Hogans Heroes) Eartha Kitt. A broadway staple for many years "New Faces of_____" featured up and comers performing sketch comedy on Broadway. #TV #tvnostalgia #broadway #actors #acting #1952 #found #estatesale #famous


TV nostalgia before they were famous. Paul Lynde (signed!) Alice Ghostly (sp) Robert Clarey (Hogans Heroes) Eartha Kitt. A broadway staple for many years "New Faces of_____" featured up and comers performing sketch comedy on Broadway. #TV #tvnostalgia #broadway #actors #acting #1952 #estatesale #famous

from Instagram

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

The last Cub card in the collection. Gunshots couldn't stop this shortstop from helping the Cubs get the NL pennant in 1932. Stay away from crazy showgirls Bill! He later became a manager of the Cub in '46-47. #baseball #baseballcards #chicago #chicagocubs #gocubsgo #sportsmemorabilia #1933 #postseason #found #estatesales


The last Cub card in the collection. Gunshots couldn't stop this shortstop from helping the Cubs get the NL pennant in 1932. Stay away from crazy showgirls Bill! He later became a manager of the Cub in '46-47. #baseball #baseballcards #chicago #chicagocubs #gocubsgo #sportsmemorabilia #1933 #postseason #estatesales

from Instagram

Monday, October 17, 2016

Another Cub from the collection. Chuck Klein was in decline when he did sign on with the Cubs for the seasons 34-36. That did not cast a shadow in his overall accomplishments and was inducted into the baseball hall of fame. #cubs #baseball #found #estatesale #postseason #chicago #baseballhalloffame #baseballcards #1933 #gocubsgo


Another Cub from the collection. Chuck Klein was in decline when he did sign on with the Cubs for the seasons 34-36. That did not cast a shadow in his overall accomplishments and was inducted into the baseball hall of fame. #cubs #baseball #estatesale #postseason #chicago #baseballhalloffame #baseballcards #1933 #gocubsgo

from Instagram

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Another favorite from my collection is this (sadly cut and glued) Chicago Cubs infielder Woody English baseball card. He played 12 years for the Cubs and in the 50's managed a team in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. Now that Boston is out of the running I'm a Cubs fan. #found #chicagocubs #1933 #baseball #nostalgia #baseballcards #estatesale #sports #postseason #cubs #urbanarcheology #aagpbl


Another favorite from my collection is this (sadly cut and glued) Chicago Cubs infielder Woody English baseball card. He played 12 years for the Cubs and in the 50's managed a team in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. Now that Boston is out of the running I'm a Cubs fan. #chicagocubs #1933 #baseball #nostalgia #baseballcards #estatesale #sports #postseason #cubs #urbanarcheology #aagpbl

from Instagram

Monday, October 10, 2016

95 years ago in a game between the Boston Braves and the NY Giants the famous pitcher Christy Mathewson was honored. One of my favorite discoveries. #baseball #nostalgia #found #estatesale #postseason #pitcher #boston #antique #ephemera #rare #pologrounds #1921


95 years ago in a game between the Boston Braves and the NY Giants the famous pitcher Christy Mathewson was honored. One of my favorite discoveries. #baseball #nostalgia #estatesale #postseason #pitcher #boston #antique #ephemera #rare #pologrounds #1921

from Instagram

Friday, October 7, 2016

I went Trumpster-diving this weekend....an obvious interview that only helps to prove he is just trolling the democratic process, and if you like what he says he only considers you to be a member of his audience. IMHO #found #playboy #donaldtrump #1990 #estatesale #funnynotfunny #justinantiques #politics #election2016


I went Trumpster-diving this weekend....an obvious interview that only helps to prove he is just trolling the democratic process, and if you like what he says he only considers you to be a member of his audience. IMHO #playboy #donaldtrump #1990 #estatesale #funnynotfunny #justinantiques #politics #election2016

from Instagram

Advertising ink blotter, the quote written across the top says, "Every victory is the result of a long series of defeat." #found #advertising #breakfast #cereal #inspiration #estatesale #kelloggs #nostalgia #ephemera


Advertising ink blotter, the quote written across the top says, "Every victory is the result of a long series of defeat." #advertising #breakfast #cereal #inspiration #estatesale #kelloggs #nostalgia #ephemera

from Instagram

Friday, September 30, 2016

The Telephone Book for Boys and Girls (1920s approx)

I found this in an old old barn that has been around likely since the founding of a town in Western CT. The bard had only 3 owners and though the last family used it as an antiques shop, I found a small stash from owner # 2. This book dates from the late teens or 20's. Unfortunately its condition left the copyright page unreadable. But the rest is gold.