Blog
Category Archives: Transportation
Toy Boats
My last post featured a Pullman Train brochure. Let’s stick with the transportation theme, but switch to toy boats! These photos are from the July 2010 issue of the KOVELS newsletter. (I recommend subscribing to it if you don’t already.) These toy boats were auctioned in May at the Noel Barrett Antiques and Auction house.
Also posted in Toys/Games Tagged auction houses, collecting antique boats, information on antiques and collectibles, vintage toys 1 Comment
1948 Pullman Train brochure
These illustrations are from a brochure titled Pullman: On Dress Parade. It was printed in 1948 and highlights “new and improved Pullman accommodations.” For the first half of the 20th century, a Pullman train was a comfortable and convienent way to travel.
Posted in Transportation Tagged Pullman train company, train memorabilia, vintage travel brochures 3 Comments
1975 Bell Motorcycle Helmet
There’s a collectible market for vintage helmets and the market is — HUGE! Not only do racers collect them, but so do lovers of modern design. In fact, several Bell Helmets are in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. The helmet pictured here is from 1975, but the Bell company manufactured protective headgear long before [...]
Samsonite Luggage
Memorial Day weekend typically kicks off summer travel. As we pack, some of us may be using Samsonite luggage. “Samson” luggage was a product line made by the Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company in Denver, Colorado. It was named after the Biblical character Samson. The company wanted to convey that their suitcases were durable and “strong [...]
Also posted in Ephemera Tagged collecting items about travel, history of Samsonite luggage, magazine ads about travel Leave a comment
1939 Collier’s World Atlas and Gazetteer
Old maps and atlases offer a glimpse into the geographical and/or poltical history of a country or city. Take these four examples from the 1939 Collier’s World Atlas and Gazetteer. 1: Germany’s borders before World War Two 2: Hawaii before it became the 50th state 3: A detail of Los Angeles 4: Airway routes before [...]
Also posted in Uncategorized Tagged historic maps, vintage world atlas, world maps of 1939 Leave a comment
1960 Chevrolet Custom Features Brochure
The 2010 North American International Auto Show is under way in Detroit. All the new bells and whistles and energy saving vehicles are being introduced. But let us go back and look at some custom features available for a brand new 1960 Chevrolet! For some reason I thought these next three features weren’t available until [...]
Also posted in Ephemera Tagged 1960 Chevrolet and General Motors, Antique cars, Detroit Auto Show Leave a comment
DC-7 American Airlines postcard
The weekend’s snow storm is over in the Northeast and it’s the beginning of a week of heavy travel for a lot of people. One mode of transporation for folks back in the mid-1950s was the new Douglas DC-7. Here’s a postcard of it from 1954. American Airlines introduced the DC-7 in November 1953 during [...]
Erie Railroad business card
First, let me begin by asking if you know who J.E. Warner was? And do you know the approximate date of this business card? If you know please post a comment! Anyway, the Erie Railroad was completed in 1851. At this time the Erie ran 123 locomotives, 68 passenger cars, and 1,373 freight and baggage [...]
Also posted in Ephemera Tagged American railroad history, Erie Railroad, vintage business cards 1 Comment
Ford Motor Company logo
Have you driven a Ford lately? Well, to be honest I haven’t. Many years ago I owned a Ford Escort. But the point of this blog entry isn’t to answer the car company’s slogan/question. I want to mention briefly key moments in the history of this iconic logo. The very first logo (in 1903) was [...]
