Monday, January 24, 2011

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.



3 comments:

Ms.Daisy said...

Jillian,
I, too, love ephemera and save all kinds of things, like tickets to movies that I've enjoyed, playbills, sentimental cards from family and friends. So much so that I now have about ten small boxes filled with ephemera! How long do you think it will be before any of it is worth anything? LOL!

Love,
Ms.DaisyMau

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Jillian,
I too am crazy for old papers.. so romantic:-) Your rosy postcards are gorgeous, I collect calling cards too.. yours are amazing!
Hugs.
Bella

gail said...

Hi Jillian-I love old calling cards and old calendars. Such beautiful pictures on all these things. I have to try and get back into the swing and link up next week.
hugs,
gail