Second Chance Tuesday # 17 ~ Ephemera: What Is It?

Welcome to Second Chance Tuesday! This is my 17th week hosting this linky party...if you'd like to join in...look for the Mr. Linky at the end of the post. Just mention my blog, add the SCT logo, and link back. Voila! You have a blog post for today.

As for my choice today, I'm running a post from 2008, right before my official "GRAND OPENING" of Bella Rosa Antiques. It will be three years this May 1st. Time has flown!

Anyway, here are some interesting tidbits about paper collectibles:

Ephemera ~ What is it? Vintage Postcards, Letters, Calling Cards...

Everyday we probably use all kinds of paper items that get tossed in the trash. Some people save these printed pieces for either sentimental reasons, or for financial records, or for family history.

How many of you save the greeting cards sent by family and friends? And if you save them, for what purpose? I save Christmas cards for several years and then after awhile, make them into cute and fun gift tags to use on next year's packages. But, this would mean the cards were no longer in their original condition.

So this is what leads me to today's post. Ephemera. That is what this paper stuff is called and the much older pieces are highly collectible today. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the term ephemera means "the printed matter of passing interest." Or dictionary.com puts it like this: "items designed to be useful or important for only a short time, esp. pamphlets, notices, tickets, etc."

Luckily some people decided to save some of their paper items. Really collectible items are things like a Civil War document, a letter signed by a famous person, or a deed to a famous piece of real estate.

My favorites are vintage postcards, letters, old photos, wedding invitations, marriage certificates, calling cards, etc. Some of the beautiful images are still vibrant and stunning to this day.