Conference & Fair, EPHEMERA 24, March 19-21, 2004

Ephemera 24: Magic, Magazines, Hotels, Brownies, and More!

This year's Ephemera Society of America's annual meeting, conference, and paper show on March 19, 20 and 21 was an important prelude to celebration of the Society's upcoming 25th anniversary.

A strong slate of Conference speakers on Friday and Sunday explored early magic trade cards, American hotels, Arts and Crafts greeting cards, a look at American periodicals, English ephemera forms, and Palmer Cox's Brownies.

More than 80 dealers occupied the Hyatt Regency's Grand Ballroom for the annual paper show organized by John and Tina Bruno from Flamingo Promotions.

Another highlight of this year's event was Saturday night's Benefit Auction. Last year's auction cleared more than $4,000 for use in expanding the Society's publications and programs. Conducted once again by Gary Garland of Swann Galleries, the auction gave attendees and mail bidders the chance to build their collections while helping a worthy cause. Mail bidders missed the cocktail buffet and live entertainment that brightened the evening, but they still had a shot at some unique ephemera.

Ephemera 24 also featured Collectors' Forums, informal gatherings adjacent to the exhibit hall, for discussions among collectors. Society members and conference attendees were invited to stop by and share collecting information, knowledge, and lore. Collectors' Forums, began Friday and continued throughout the weekend — as long as there were two collectors willing to talk, listen, and to learn.

For all the details on Ephemera 24, keep watching this space.

View the Schedule of Speakers and Presentations >>