What is ephemera?

Ephemera are things that are meant to exist or be used for only a short time, such as paper tickets, paper, letters, old boxes, etc.  We have a category of that in the antiques at the fair if you would like to enter something. This is a pretty broad category with lots of options for collectors. Some folks like to collect ephemera because it is usually smaller scale and easy to stack and store.

I have some vintage nabisco cracker and cookie boxes and S&H green stamps  that I got from an old general store estate sale in Byromville.  Peach and fruit or vegetable crate labels are a collectible ephemera item as well as old concert posters, tickets or playbills.  

If you like to travel, perhaps you would like to collect vintage postcards or if you like history, historic or old documents might interest you. I have seen collections of marriage certificates from the 1800’s that are beautiful pieces of art. One of my favorite ephemera items that I have is an old diary from 1865 that has an entry in pencil that says “A sad, day.  President Lincoln was shot last night.”

Vintage things are little snapshots of time and pieces of history. There is a society dedicated to those who collect ephemera that advertises itself as  a fellowship of collectors, scholars, researchers, archivists and dealers. So as you can see there is a lot more to it than collecting little slips of old paper! Go visit the Perry Area Historical Society and check out all of their local ephemera like old menus from the New Perry Hotel or old PHS football programs from the 50’s and 60’s with colorful artwork and Coca Cola ads.  

Remember, quality is utmost for value but buy and enjoy what you can afford and like.  Happy Collecting!