Q & A

The Questions-Answers section of the Ephemera Society's Web site is interactive, intended for use by members and non-members alike. If you have a question about ephemera that has been puzzling you, or if would like more information about some particular kind of ephemeral material, please be in touch through email. Likewise, if you can answer someone else's question, contact us, and we will post the response.

Questions with answers:

Whitney Valentines

I have been collecting valentines from the 1930's and 1940's which I believe were produced by the George C. Whitney Co. I collect cards by one illustrator who did much of the cards during the 1920's-1940's. Can anyone suggest where I might find more information about the company and, most particularly, a way I might be able to identify the illustrator and find information about him/her?

In simple terms, go to google and do a search for Whitney Valentine Co. (I did and found out one artist had her own special mark to distinguish her Valentine's cards.)  I have my own collection from my grandmother, but don’t know what to look for - All kinds, Christmas, Valentine, easter, get well etc. Some day, I will find out.

Benjamin Talbot Babbitt

Benjamin Talbot Babbitt (1809-1889) had more than 100 patents for soap, soap powder, and yeast. A panel picture entitled "Our Newsboy," measuring 14"x28", has an advertisement on the back for soap, and it shows Babbitt's name and address. Where is there biographical information on Babbitt?

For a biographical sketch of Babbitt, go to http://www.babbitts.info/rpbgenealogy/benjamin_talbot_babbitt.htm.

Volland Valentine

What is the origin of a Valentine from the mid-1950s with the name "Volland" on the back and a small red crest? It was purchased in the Boston area in 1957 and possibly could be Canadian.

Your valentine may not be Canadian. The F. Volland Co. of Chicago, Ill., and the P.F. Volland Co., of Joliet, Ill., which published the Raggedy Ann and Andy series of books, were both manufacturers of 20th century valentines.

The Valentine card with the name "Volland" on the back, was, I believe, produced by the P.F. Volland Company in Joliet, Illinois which was a publisher from the 1920's until the 1950's when it ceased business operations. They produced greeting cards and intricately illustrated children's books. I do not know much about the company except that my mother worked for them for a brief time and had friends who wrote some of the messages found inside the greeting cards. If anyone has further questions on this, my email is jnoir@erols.com.

Pink Tea

When the Olympia, Washington's, new United States post office opened in 1915 with new revolving doors, the local newspaper warned ladies not to be holding a "pink tea" therein lest some "mean man" in a hurry to get mail to a departing train would make a "center rush causing an unpleasant upsetting of calculations." Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable says that "to pink" is a sewing activity for notching edges and embroidering scallops. It can be seen that a "mean man" could, in fact, "upset a few calculations" if it were to turn out that a pink tea is like a sewing bee or a quilting bee, a gathering of women to talk and work on their handicraft together. What do you think? Are there any references on trade cards, cartoons, or drawings of women holding pink teas?

A "pink tea" was a gathering of women suffragists. The term was often used in a derogatory manner. Because suffragists meetings were often disrupted by opponents, suffragists would hold "pink teas" rather than meetings, and nobody except the suffragists would know for sure whether the topic of voting was going to be raised or whether they would simply have a genteel tea party.

For more information go to http://www.victoriana.biz/attic/pinktea.htm

Griffith Cigar and Sporting Goods

I have been searching for many years for information about the Griffith Cigar and Sporting Goods Store in Fort Collins, Colorado. It was in existence from about 1900 to approximately 1945. In addition, the Griffith family ran a cigar-making factory in Fort Collins. I have one of the cigar molds and know that one of their cigars was called "The Little John." The Griffith family was originally from Illinois. Does anyone have any information about this family and its store? Some ephemera associated with the business?

This response is in reference to the question about the Griffith Cigar and Sporting Goods Store in Fort Collins, Colorado. I am the son of John S. Griffith one of the brothers that owned the store. I worked in the store until 1958 when my father sold his interest to the other two brothers, Bob and Ray. The store went out of business in the early 60s. My grandfather, John H. Griffith, named cigars after his boys. I have a Little Ray box but no one in the family (that I know of) has one named after my father John. I also have the old cash register and other cigar making items from the store. Many of the cigar making items were donated to the Ft. Collins museum. Please respond back and tell me about your interest in the store. My email is mitchgriff@aol.com. Mitch (Mitchell M. Griffith).

Fountain Pen Ephemera

Where would someone go to purchase ephemera, especially poster stamps, on brand name fountain pens or writing equipment, e.g., Mont Blanc, Parker, and Waterman?

A good initial contact for pen-related ephemera would be the Writing Equipment Society. Contact: Secretary, 33 Glanville Road, Hadleigh, IPSWICH, Suffolk IP7 5SQm U.K. Their Web site is at http://www.wesoc.co.uk/index.htm

Mother Goose

"Charles E. Graham & Co., 51 series, Made in the USA" appears at the lower left corner of a copy of Mother Goose Melodies. When was it published, and who was the author?

"Mother Goose" nursery rhymes are generally not credited with an author, since they are a collection of folk rhymes rather than (apparently) the work of one person. "Mother Goose's Melodies" and similar titles have been published since at least the early 1830s and continue to be published today. As for "Charles E. Graham & Co." I can find no definitive information, although publications from this firm dating from the 1900s to the 1920s are cataloged. A specialist dealer in children's books might have a more precise answer.

There were at least two editions of this title published by C.E. Graham: one estimated to be published in the 1850s from New York having 67 numbered pages and being 20 cm., another estimated at being published in the early 1900s from Newark, NJ, having an estimated 44 pages. You may want to consult a large library having the reference set, National Union Catalog, pre-1956 imprints. There may be others listed.

Seed Box Label

An oak seed box once had a label on the interior of its lid. What remains says "D.M. Ferry Seeds" and "Flower Seeds." Is there a complete label somewhere?

If you want a complete label to put in place of the one you have it will be difficult to come up with an original that is not already glued to a box. If all else fails, you might want to ask someone to scan a label from a box they have and use that. Have you tried contacting the Ferry-Morse Seed Co.?

Readers might be interested in searching the Internet for labels. One site that offers them is http://www.sover.net/~oldlabel/

Questions that need answering:

Remember - A Record of Your Class Days

I have a book I am trying to find more information about-- Publisher: P.J. Volland Company - Joliet, Ilinois, Copyright 1927, Title: Remember - A Record of Your Class Days. It contains beautiful colored illustrations/drawings; Somewhat of a journal/scrapbook of a woman's school days; Size: 11" x 9 1/2" Can you tell me anything about this book and also its value?

Fashion Catalogues

Does anyone know where I can obtain fashion catalogues (local and foreign) from the 1980's - present? I've tried forever to find/obtain specifically Ann Taylor catalogues from 2001-2003 but unfortunately this company refuses to ship to Canada nor do they keep past advertising materials in stock. I'm also looking for Mark Cross (a leather good's company) catalogues from 1996/97 and also numerous Italian fashion magazines called Amica and Donna to name just two. I've tried contacting several used book/collectibles stores in the US and in Europe and either they do not have the items I request or simply do not reply. Also, these items have never shown up on ebay. Thank you.

Silent Comforter

I have been studying the material culture of the Civil War era for several years and came across a reference to a "Silent Comforter" in some U.S. Christian Commission materials. It appears that this item was a sort of "calendar" upon which was written a passage from scripture for daily meditation. One could change the pages each day and read another passage. These were distributed to soldiers and could be found in hospitals pinned to walls so that the soldiers could read the message of comfort and hope. Several of us have been working on this and cannot find an example anywhere. Does anyone have one in their collection or know where I can view an example?

Jefferson R. Burdick

A researcher is writing an article on Jefferson R. Burdick and his collection of ephemera at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He has done extensive research, but would appreciate biographical information and photos of Burdick. Did anyone-or do you know of anyone-who met him?

Egyptian Revival Ephemera

I am researching the Egyptian Revival in America from the 18th-20th centuries. Where would I go for examples of Egyptian revival ephemera? Any information would be appreciated.

McCarron or McCammon from Boston?

Does anyone know anything about Robert McCarron or McCammon, a collector of ephemera from Boston, who I believe died in the 1970s or 1980s? He had a collection relating to the Riverside Press, a business that I am now studying, that I would like to track down. I am especially interested in bookbinding brasses from the Riverside Press that he once owned.

The Quiet Pastures

Does anyone have information on a print called "The Quiet Pastures," by George Rieche, published by Tabor Prang Art Company?

New Orleans Mardi Gras Balls

What companies published invitations for late 19th and early 20th century New Orleans Mardi Gras balls? Research to date reveals that many were printed in Paris, France. "F. Appel, Paris" and "Sicard" are known printers.

Reading, PA Carnival Posters

What information is available on a series of 1937 Reading, Pennsylvania, carnival posters advertising Amos and Andy and Punch and Judy? They feature lots of local advertisements, including one from Hover Motors and another from Reading Beer.

Bank Lobby Cards

The National Service Bureau of Chicago and New York produced bank lobby cards, measuring 30"x20." They are best identified by an inverted triangle containing the words "Don't spend it all." What information exists on these cards?

Robinson Engraving Company

From 1882-1884, the Robinson Engraving Company, located at 32 Hawley Street, Boston, published a book containing 300 steel plate folding cards. They are two tone, and some are signed by the artist. What information is there on the company and its products?