“Ephemera is the minor transient documents of everyday life that reflect the moods and mores of past times in a way that more formal records cannot.”.
– Maurice Rickards
-
Chocolate Premiums
In the late 19th-century, when you bought chocolate, the grocer dropped a delightful prize into your bag, a trade card to save and share. The Chocolat Pupier brand was created in Saint-Étienne, France, in the 1860s. The founder, Jean-Louis Pupier, handed over the company to his son Joseph in 1895. His grandsons Adrien and Marcel…
-
Cigarette Cards
Between 1875 and the 1940s, cigarette companies often included collectible cards with their packages of cigarettes. Cigarette card sets document popular culture from the turn of the century, often depicting the period’s actresses, costumes, and sports, as well as offering insights into mainstream humor and culture. This early card was issued by H. Ellis &…
-
Easter Cards
This spring themed card is an example of a stock card- printed by a publisher and featured in catalogs for educators for use a reward or recognition cards, or businesses for trade cards with an imprinted back. Postcards were often produced in series – this example shows a young mother enjoying an afternoon in the…
-
Birthday Card Postcards
A short history of the birthday card – Deltiology, or the collecting of postcards, including many “specialties, including holiday greetings and birthday cards. A short history of the birthday card – Sending a birthday card is an act of communication. As families grew and moved on, sometimes across oceans or continents where travel was lengthy…
-
Puzzles
These are postcards from the novelty category – picture puzzles – the sender would write out the back, then break the pieces apart and put in the envelope for mailing. These are 2 examples – the black is originally from the Beck Collection. Wood block puzzles were very popular in the end of the 1800’s.…