r/ephemera • • 1h ago

Full 20-page 1896 Handwritten Phrenology Manuscript by C. K. Ogiwara Rigakushi

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• Upvotes

Super fun find. Chiyo Kichi graduated Purdue in 1897 with a mechanical engineering degree. Quite rare that it’s all handwritten rather than a filled out mass printed booklet. Spencerian cursive is so pretty here too! Also found it interesting that the phrenologist was an international student from Tokyo. I’m curious if I should sell this to a dealer (I posted it for $650 and received a $400 offer same day) or do something else. Curious if anyone has any cool info on this museum quality piece.


r/ephemera • • 3h ago

A calling card signed by Diaghilev sold at at Rago on Oct.15 for $2,048. The high presale estimate was $300. Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev was best known as the Russian impresario and director of the famous Ballets Russes. Reported by Rare Book Hub.

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3 Upvotes

Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev
Diaghilev Signed Calling Card
Russia

Twelve lines in French concerning the placement of an article in Le Figaro and other matters of business. Russian art critic

Diaghilev was the founder and director of the Ballets Russes, overseeing its productions and collaborations with many of the leading composers, choreographers, dancers, and artists of the early 20th century.

DIAGHILEV, Sergei Pavlovich (1872-1929). Autograph note signed ("X"). N.p., n.d. 2 pages on one card, 55 x 95 mm sheet (6.5 x 8 inches framed), graphite on a calling card engraved with "Serge de Diaghilew," a punched hole affecting text and slight toning, matted and framed (glazed on both sides), not examined out of frame.

Provenance: Collection of Michael Tilson Thomas


r/ephemera • • 4h ago

January 1st 2000 Oregonian newspaper

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29 Upvotes

I kept this all these years thinking it would be important one day in the future. I keep it wrapped up in saran wrap because one of my cats peed on it at some point in the past, and I didn't notice for a long time. It's been so long ago that it no longer smells of cat urine lol. I have no idea if it will ever be important, but I'll keep it just in case. My kids know that whenever I pass away, they must keep it for future generations. Hope you enjoy.


r/ephemera • • 5h ago

Some unused bumper stickers from the 70s

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60 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 14h ago

A bunch of buttons from many years in the photo retail industry.

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99 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 16h ago

Found an old U.S. Secret Service business card with a World Trade Center address in my dad's collection

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372 Upvotes

Early 1990s


r/ephemera • • 17h ago

Fighting With Daniel Boone! Comic Book Magazine from May 4, 1941. This was an insert in the Chicago Sunday Tribune. Like the Sunday Funnies, but bound at the spine.

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5 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 1d ago

French Bellhop Bookmark

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545 Upvotes

I found this tucked inside an old 1920s French lesson book. The book itself was too degraded to keep. Aside from the feet being torn, the bookmark was remarkably well preserved. I love the colors and the writing on the back! Would love to know more about the Canari. Also any links to how to properly preserve it would be appreciated! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Found in Chicago.


r/ephemera • • 1d ago

Chicago World's Fair, A Century of Progress, Promotional Brochure (1933)

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102 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 1d ago

Found under the seats of 1973 Cadillac Eldorado

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23 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 1d ago

Another copy of Comic Book Magazine from March 23, 1941. This was an insert in the Chicago Sunday Tribune. Like the Sunday Funnies, but bound at the spine.

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22 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 2d ago

stinky 100+ yr old postcards

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65 Upvotes

so like does anyone know how I can get the dust and stench off of these . It smells like cold dark cellar . I want to be able to handle them without a mask


r/ephemera • • 2d ago

1868 promissory note w Revenue Stamps

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24 Upvotes

As I understand it, the Revenue Act of 1862, introduced a fee structure on financial transactions over 20USD to finance the Union in the American Civil War. It required tax stamps to prove payment of a progressive tax based on the size of the transaction.

I don't have any family ties to the Boon, brothers?

This came out of my grandfather's collection that I've been sorting.


r/ephemera • • 2d ago

Durkee Famous Food Recipes, Chicago World's Fair Souvenir Promotional Booklet (1934)

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26 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 2d ago

WW1 Era Letter Written by German Soldier In The Trenches Of France. Details in comments.

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45 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 2d ago

Just about my oldest piece. Glasgow Looking Glass #4 (July 23,1825) with the earliest known comic strip, History Of A Coat.

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100 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 3d ago

Have y'all seen anything like this? (pt 2)

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17 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 3d ago

Have y'all seen anything like this before?

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30 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 3d ago

The 6th Annual Round Valley Fiddle Contest

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6 Upvotes

Not super old (1990) but I liked this one enough to put it in an antique frame.


r/ephemera • • 3d ago

Postcards from Spain (late 1960s)

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46 Upvotes

Postcards from Spain (sent in 1969) with fabric or embroidery on each. Sharing the beauty.


r/ephemera • • 3d ago

Super early Victorian Age newspaper comic. One of the earliest strips I’ve managed to find. Two single panels (reprinted from a Cruikshank almanac) on the front page and scattered panels throughout. The Dublin Penny Journal January 3, 1835.

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13 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 3d ago

Original promotional flyer for the world premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's 1923 silent film The Ten Commandments, held at Grauman’s Hollywood Egyptian Theatre.

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26 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 3d ago

Geo J. Birkel Company Los Angeles California 1920s

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6 Upvotes

Nearly every pamphlet is intact.


r/ephemera • • 3d ago

Frame it? Not sure

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22 Upvotes

r/ephemera • • 3d ago

Old parcel card from Bunzlau (formerly Germany), dated May 27, 1935.Today, the town is called Bolesławiec and has been part of Poland since 1945.

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9 Upvotes