By Robert Reed  The Vintage Postcards for the Holidays book includes scores of classic Christmas images from nearly a century ago. Compelling views present early 1900 Yuletide scenes of Santa not only in costumes of red, but also in less frequently found green, blue, and lavender. Other vintage Christmas postcard range from then ‘new’ automobiles to distinguished artists such as […]

By Ann Brandt  Bakelite offers collectors a wide variety of opportunities. Since its invention in 1907, this sturdy plastic has been used in the production of kitchen appliances, serving pieces, dinnerware and flatware, buttons, jewelry, radios, telephones, and other items.  What has been called the material of a thousand uses, Bakelite (pronounced Bay Ka Lite) reached its height of popularity […]

By Bobbie Sweeney  People all over the world set aside at least one day of the year to celebrate the harvest of the land. In America, the first celebration of this kind was instigated by the Pilgrims. ln 1621, they held a three-day festival by order of the Governor of the Colony, William Bradford. The Indians who had become their […]

By Evelyn Witter  Cards of greeting for Thanksgiving have been published since about 1909, but they were not used to any real extent until just after the close of World War I. These were a bit crude, being mostly of the postcard type.  One of the earlier designs was printed in block on bright yellow Italian handmade paper, with hand-colored […]

By Robert Reed  The grand holiday of Thanksgiving has been celebrated in many ways over the decades, and a surprising amount of it remains in memories of paper.  Trade cards, holiday postcards, magazine covers, menus, and colorful decorations have all faithfully carried the enduring Thanksgiving theme nationwide.  Historians have long noted that President George Washington delivered an address proclaiming the […]