One Way Fare

Train ticket from the International Railway Company. It's marked November 13th, but I don't see a year.

Found in "Some Principles of Education" by W. Kane. Published by Loyola University Press, 1938.

-Click to enlarge photos-

First Printing

Note, handwritten on Bowen and Stewart Custom and Merchant Millers stationery, dated February 23, 1878, Spencerport NY -

This is the first printing done in Spencerport
It was set up and struck by Randolph Rauth (?) of St. Louis, at the Spencerport Journal Office, cor. of Union and Water St., Monday Feb 25th 1878

Mr. P. G. Smith arrived home from the West Aug 25th 1880

I don't believe the "first printing" is any reference to the book I found it in, or that it refers to a book at all.

Found in "Washington and His Generals" by J.T. Headley. Published by E.B. Treat, Chicago, 1865.

-Click to enlarge photos-

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

I usually don't like to comment much on the various things I find, I prefer to act more like a museum curator, briefly describing the item and letting the readers speculate about the ephemera's place in space and time.

Occasionally, I just can't help myself. I'm a big baseball fan, so finding something like this is a real thrill.

Picture this. It's late June, 1923. The original Yankee Stadium opened just a few months earlier. The Yankees are playing the old Philadelphia A's and Connie Mack is still the manager. Connie Mack! Just thirteen days earlier, a young player name Lou Gehrig made his major league debut.

On that Thursday, Babe Ruth hit a double, Wally Pipp had a homer and Bob Shawkey pitched nine innings for the win.

Note: I determined the date of the game based on the date listed near the bottom, 1921. Checking baseball-reference.com, I found that the Yankees didn't play at home for game number 62 in 1921, 1922, or 1924-1927. The ticket might be from a later year, but I'm guessing it's 1923.

I also found a ticket to the Majestic Theater, but I'm not sure what the actual date might be for this one. It says "Friday Eve." and what looks like a 13... but it's tough to tell.

Both tickets found in "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Published by Grosset and Dunlap, no date listed.



-Click to enlarge photos-

Let Me Call You Sweetheart

Just a lovely old photo. Here's the back, I cleaned it up a bit so you could read the faded pencil:

I believe it says "Winona (Winora?) Messer - April 1, 1923 - Sweetheart"

Found in "A Case of Sardines" by Charles Poole Cleaves. Published by The Pilgrim Press, 1903.


-Click to enlarge photos-

Giveaway winner

There were two winners this week -

First, winner of the three poetry books was @BlueJeanGourmet via Twitter.

Second, winner of the children's books was Angie Scott, who entered on Facebook.

As always, thanks to everyone who entered, I hope you enjoyed this week's giveaway. See you here next week.

Friday Giveaway: Classics and Kids - contest closed

Offering up two prizes this week, first is this handsome collection of three matched volumes of poetry:

Second prize is another collection of vintage children's books:

Contest now closed, winners will be announced shortly.

-Click to enlarge photos-

Take It To The Bank

Receipt from Mechanics' Savings Bank, Rochester NY, for $17.50, dated April 30, 1878.

Found in "The Foot on the Sill" by Miss H.B. McKeever. Published by the American Tract Society, 1879.

-Click to enlarge photos-

Uncle Robert

Letter, no date:

Wednesday

Dear Uncle Robert,

Will ans your letter I got from you and glad to have from you. Was wondering when you was going to ans my letter I wrote a long time ago.

Glad you and Aunt Perl are fine was supprised to here you were back in Newton.

Wish you and Aunt Perl would come up to see us for a while and if you couldn't wish she could.

Found in "The Secrets of Foretelling Your Own Future" by Maurice Woodruff. Published by Signet, 1969.

-Click to enlarge photos-

Heard You Were Sick

Get well card, the skirt on the front is a little piece of fabric. It's signed "Pat" on the inside -

Heard you were Sick!

If you feel a trifle "Draughty"

It's not the "Wind" to-day
It's just my very warm wish
Breezing your way to say -

Please hurry and Get Well!

Found in "The Bobbsey Twins in the Country" by Laura Lee Hope. Published by Whitman, 1953

-Click to enlarge photos-

A Bad Day To Be A Fox

Black and white photo, no date or markings.

Found in "Everybody's Guide; or Things Worth Knowing" by R. Moore. Published by The World Publishing, 1884.

-Click to enlarge photos-