Collections Worth Building: Working Class Heroes & The Vintage Badges

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the original barista

Employee photo badges and identification cards from the first half of the 20th Century represent a different climate in our nation’s economy. These American working class heroes look they have a story to tell:

Dixie Cup Darlington

Field Estate Exec

knit one, purl two

Norfolk Naval

Happy Halloween

Perfect Circle

See more working class heroes HERE

Collections Worth Building: Tall Tale Postcards

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American Tall-Tale postcards emerged around the turn of the 20th century, when postcards came to function as surrogates for travel. Nowhere did these modified images become more prevalent than in rural communities that hoped to forge an identity as places of agricultural abundance to encourage settlement and growth. [Wisconsin Historical Society]

Collections Worth Building: Garbage Pail Kids

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I was nine years old when these gems hit the scene – looking back now, I can see why my family was reluctant to help fund my obsession. Some adults thought these trading cards meant that the end of civilization was near. Even so, I give Garbage Pail Kids sticker card collections an A+ for creativity with brilliant graphics and over the top satire. Each pack contained 5 cards and a stick of gum for a mere 25 cents. Luckily, there are a few avid collectors who have meticulously catalogued all of the cards online (15 original series in all) – use geepeekay’s name finder to see if your name made it into the GPK hall of fame.

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Collections Worth Building: Sailing Cards

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“Sailing Cards” were printed in America between 1850 and 1880, and served as advertisements and records of the various ships transporting cargo and passengers to San Francisco, during and after the California Gold Rush.

ELLEN SEARS     AUDUBON - for San Francisco    DON QUIXOTE

The cards were primarily advertisements used to entice passengers, but were also designed to inspire the confidence of prospective freight shippers.

     KINGFISHER - 112 Days To San Francisco!       MERCHANT PRINCESS for San Francisco!

Most of the cards represent vessels built in Boston and New York, and signify the formation of an American identity through visual representation of the vessels, expedition and typography.

ALLEGHANEAN      YOUNG AMERICA     SUN SHINE

Many of the cards were printed on heavy cardstock at around 4 x 6 inches in size, and while they were mass-produced and distributed liberally throughout the major shipping ports, the originals are now difficult to find.

WHITE SWALLOW      YOUNG AMERICA      SEA SERPENT

While an original sailing card can sell today for a few thousand dollars, I think a nice album of reprints would make a fine collection or gift for a maritime enthusiast, history buff, or anyone who appreciates good graphic design.

STAR OF THE UNION       SUNRISE      PANTHER - The Splendid Boston Built Clipper Ship

Online sailing card collections include Mystic Seaport and The Library of Congress.

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