One Way Fare

Train ticket from the International Railway Company. It's marked November 13th, but I don't see a year.

Found in "Some Principles of Education" by W. Kane. Published by Loyola University Press, 1938.

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First Printing

Note, handwritten on Bowen and Stewart Custom and Merchant Millers stationery, dated February 23, 1878, Spencerport NY -

This is the first printing done in Spencerport
It was set up and struck by Randolph Rauth (?) of St. Louis, at the Spencerport Journal Office, cor. of Union and Water St., Monday Feb 25th 1878

Mr. P. G. Smith arrived home from the West Aug 25th 1880

I don't believe the "first printing" is any reference to the book I found it in, or that it refers to a book at all.

Found in "Washington and His Generals" by J.T. Headley. Published by E.B. Treat, Chicago, 1865.

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Take Me Out To The Ballgame

I usually don't like to comment much on the various things I find, I prefer to act more like a museum curator, briefly describing the item and letting the readers speculate about the ephemera's place in space and time.

Occasionally, I just can't help myself. I'm a big baseball fan, so finding something like this is a real thrill.

Picture this. It's late June, 1923. The original Yankee Stadium opened just a few months earlier. The Yankees are playing the old Philadelphia A's and Connie Mack is still the manager. Connie Mack! Just thirteen days earlier, a young player name Lou Gehrig made his major league debut.

On that Thursday, Babe Ruth hit a double, Wally Pipp had a homer and Bob Shawkey pitched nine innings for the win.

Note: I determined the date of the game based on the date listed near the bottom, 1921. Checking baseball-reference.com, I found that the Yankees didn't play at home for game number 62 in 1921, 1922, or 1924-1927. The ticket might be from a later year, but I'm guessing it's 1923.

I also found a ticket to the Majestic Theater, but I'm not sure what the actual date might be for this one. It says "Friday Eve." and what looks like a 13... but it's tough to tell.

Both tickets found in "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Published by Grosset and Dunlap, no date listed.



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Let Me Call You Sweetheart

Just a lovely old photo. Here's the back, I cleaned it up a bit so you could read the faded pencil:

I believe it says "Winona (Winora?) Messer - April 1, 1923 - Sweetheart"

Found in "A Case of Sardines" by Charles Poole Cleaves. Published by The Pilgrim Press, 1903.


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Giveaway winner

There were two winners this week -

First, winner of the three poetry books was @BlueJeanGourmet via Twitter.

Second, winner of the children's books was Angie Scott, who entered on Facebook.

As always, thanks to everyone who entered, I hope you enjoyed this week's giveaway. See you here next week.

Friday Giveaway: Classics and Kids - contest closed

Offering up two prizes this week, first is this handsome collection of three matched volumes of poetry:

Second prize is another collection of vintage children's books:

Contest now closed, winners will be announced shortly.

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Take It To The Bank

Receipt from Mechanics' Savings Bank, Rochester NY, for $17.50, dated April 30, 1878.

Found in "The Foot on the Sill" by Miss H.B. McKeever. Published by the American Tract Society, 1879.

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Uncle Robert

Letter, no date:

Wednesday

Dear Uncle Robert,

Will ans your letter I got from you and glad to have from you. Was wondering when you was going to ans my letter I wrote a long time ago.

Glad you and Aunt Perl are fine was supprised to here you were back in Newton.

Wish you and Aunt Perl would come up to see us for a while and if you couldn't wish she could.

Found in "The Secrets of Foretelling Your Own Future" by Maurice Woodruff. Published by Signet, 1969.

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Heard You Were Sick

Get well card, the skirt on the front is a little piece of fabric. It's signed "Pat" on the inside -

Heard you were Sick!

If you feel a trifle "Draughty"

It's not the "Wind" to-day
It's just my very warm wish
Breezing your way to say -

Please hurry and Get Well!

Found in "The Bobbsey Twins in the Country" by Laura Lee Hope. Published by Whitman, 1953

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A Bad Day To Be A Fox

Black and white photo, no date or markings.

Found in "Everybody's Guide; or Things Worth Knowing" by R. Moore. Published by The World Publishing, 1884.

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Giveaway Winner

This week's winner was Jaime Kae Stoke Reed, who entered on Facebook.

See you all next week.

Friday Giveaway: 28 Children's Books - contest closed

This week's giveaway is now closed, winner will be announced shortly.

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Dog And Pony Show

Two trimmed illustrations, likely from old trade cards.

Found in "How To Get Strong" by William Blaikie. Published by Harper, 1879.

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May 1966

Five black and white photos, I believe they are all from the same roll, as all five are marked "May '66" on the reverse and have the same processing stamp.

Found in this lovely boxed edition of Poe:

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Emma

Here's a recipe (at least some of it) for "Emma's Molasses Cookies."

1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 cup shortening
1/2 cup hot water
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon soda, not heaping
Ginger and cinnamon

I guess it's up to you to put it all together.

Found in "Pierce Gage and His Descendants" (sounds like a British Invasion band). Compiled and published by George Gage, 1894.

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The Days Go By

Handmade calendar from 1934.

Found in "Raggedy Ann Stories" by Johnny Gruelle. Published by Volland, 1918.

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Giveaway Winner

This week's winner was Emily C, who entered right here on the site. I will send you an email shortly.

Thanks to all who entered, see you here next week!

Friday Giveaway: 14 Vintage Classics - contest closed

Contest now closed, I'll announce the winner shortly.

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A Pair Of Aces

Two makeshift playing cards, the ace of hearts and the ace of diamonds.

Found in "Dick's Games of Patience or Solitaire With Cards: Second Series" edited by Harris Dick. Published by Dick and Fitzgerald, 1898.

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Portrait Of A Lady

Tintype photograph in paper frame. No writing that I can see.

Found in "The Holy Bible" published by The Bible Association of Friends, 1836.

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Hatched

I'm not really sure what I have here, these three objects appear to be little bits of iridescent rock glued to construction paper.

Found in "Horton Hatches The Egg" by Dr. Seuss. Published by Random House, 1940.

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The Good Soldier

First place ribbon from the 1994 Central New York District Championships, not sure what sport - but the recipient was a 'heat winner,' so I am guessing track and field, swimming, something along those lines.

Found in "The Good Soldier" by Ford Madox Ford. Published by Dover, 2001. (I wonder if they held onto the ribbon for that long...)

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Giveaway winner

This week's winner was Betsy McHaley who entered on Facebook.

Thanks to all who entered, I'll see you here next week.

Friday Giveaway: 19 Vintage Classics - contest now closed

Contest now closed, I'll announce a winner shortly.

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Your Little Canoe

A little note, in the form of a poem:

Scout Camp '28

As you sail down the river
In you little canoe,
Think of the girl
Who slept in the tent with you.

Marion Fuller

Found in "Scouting for Girls" published by the Girl Scouts, Inc, 1927.

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Potty Time

I apologize if the following is in poor taste, but I couldn't resist posting what is likely the only poem ever written about the humble bedpan.

Here is the full text of this piece of... literature.

Found in "Sportsman's Arms and Ammunition Manual" by Jack O'Connor. Published by Outdoor Life, 1952.

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Snip Snip Here, Snip Snip There

An odd find, a cute little pair of scissors. I imagine they are old nail scissors, judging by the blade size.

Found in "The Textbook of Organic Chemistry" by J.R. Partington. Published by Macmillan, 1933.

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