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My stash of antique ephemera takes up half of the back wall of my tiny office, which itself is very small, though I could condense it onto one shelving unit with the proper storage bins.
I have two of these 4-tier shelving units that are holding everything from binders full of antique cards to unwieldy 1800s-era bibles. So far so good!
Today, I’m scanning the contents of the pictured box, which is a mixture of 1890s advertisements and other ephemera. Pieces are set aside once they’re scanned, then they’re photographed for listing on Etsy, then they’re put away until they sell.
Oh my Gods I need proper organization but that requires money I don’t have.
The pieces from this box are, for the most part, from a lot I purchased in November 2022. They’re so beautiful—and varied, too!—with all being in excellent shape. This lot is a constant reminder of why I like antique ephemera so much.
Here are some of the pieces that sold already:
- An 1897 floral pocket calendar
- An 1880s Monkey Brand Soap trade card
- This trade card from 1878 for Capt. M.V. Bates at W.W. Cole’s Circus
- A delightful Heinz folding advertisement
- Several antique paper lace cards
So, is it worthwhile to sort through old ephemera? Absolutely, especially for things like the above, where they’re a little unusual and they’re in excellent shape. Each piece has been wonderful. The ephemera I’m scanning? Equally delightful.
If you spot a mixed lot like this, please do yourself a favour and pick it up. You don’t know what you’ll find!
Scanner Blues
I run a Brother MFC-J497DW that I purchased in January 2020. It’s my scanner, it’s my printer, it is an utter workhorse and it serves me well.
But I’m noticing that the light isn’t as bright, it makes more noise than it used to. I think the scanner part is giving up the ghost, and not in a fun haunted way.
Sad. 🙁
I’m going wild with scanning as much as I can while I can because I just don’t know when it’s going to die. So, if you hear a horrific wailing noise at some point in the next few months, that’s me. Alas, alack, etc. My next scanner will have to be something a little more rugged and not an all-in-one, I think, I’m just not sure what or when. I’m always taking suggestions.
New Ways to Support the Site, Plus Plus
Supporters can now make one-time payments through my tip jar or recurring payments with a monthly donation. All money earned goes toward keeping the site running (and paying my bills, obviously).
The final feature that I’m working on is a membership site. It’s where all my images and files will live, and is a much better deal than buying different things as they’re released. “Please look forward to it”, as they say.
Thanks for reading! This site will be back to its regular programming very shortly, and your patience is appreciated.
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