Come to the Party

I apologize for the lapse yesterday. It's been a busy week at work.

This poor little invite never got a chance to invite someone to a Halloween party.  He looks out the window waiting for guests to arrive that never will.

It was made by Hallmark and looks to date from the 1950's to '60's.

Won't you come to his party?

Play It Safe, Mister

So says this apple-headed youth. I guess we are to infer that Amoco gas is safe.

Button, Button

I recently found this sheet advertising "Fun Paks" of buttons made by the Badge-a-Minit company of LaSalle, Illinois.  These buttons would be sold on a display carousel in "high traffic retail locations".

It's a fun slice of 1970's humor.

Stag Famous Firsts

Just in the nick of time for your New Years Eve party are these helpful party and snack tips from the folks at Stag Beer.  There's no date on this, but based on the hair and clothes styles, I'd put it late 1950's.

Halloween Seals

 No, not this one.

These:

Your Neighborhood Burglar Needs Help

When I was in 9th grade, our home was burglarized while we were attending my grandfather's funeral. I'm not looking for sympathy, just setting the tone for today's post.  Although, the jerks did steal my piggy bank. I'm guessing this pamphlet dates from the 1980's.

A Peanut's Demise

The recent brouhaha over Mr. Peanut's death reminded me of this booklet I have.  "Mr. Peanut's Guide to Nutrition" from 1973 is a promotion for Mr. Peanut products disguised as a nutrition guide.  Oh, and it was owned by "Jeff".

That's What You Get From Cracker Jack...Checkers

A few years back, I posted some students' Valentines sent to a teacher named Peter Blank in the 30's and 40's. Included in the box were some sheets of paper with little poems and illustrations.  They appeared to have been tied to Cracker Jack, possibly as prizes.  Only one is Valentine appropriate, but I've included the rest below.

The first is a criticism of "spooning" in public. 

Are you too stupid and senseless to know

That this sort of thing makes a sickening show?

About spooning in private I've nothing to say,

But to do it in public proclaims you a jay.

We'll Take a Cup of Horror Yet

Welcome to Sunday the 13th!  Mwah ha ha haaaa.... Ehhhh.  Doesn't have the same effect as Friday, does it?

These Halloween party cups were meant to be used and disposed of -- the definition of "ephemera".  They managed to survive and I'm glad of it.

We're Through the Looking Glass Here, People

This "Through the Looking Glass" pamphlet should have been subtitled "How to Fat-Shame Your Teenage Daughter".  Look at her. SHE'S IN TEARS!!!!

Happy Homemaking through Subjugation

This guide to Happy Homemaking is clearly aimed at the lady of the house and probably dates from the late 1950's given the dead-ringer for June Cleaver on the cover. Brought to you by the editors of Modern Romances. Enjoy!  AND GET COOKIN'!

Coffee Breaks

A coffee break to me is when I'm at work and need to step away from my desk and walk to the kitchen where I generally discover the pot has been drained and I need to make a new one, return to my desk and wait 5 minutes and proceed back.  Usually I get involved with something and by the time I get back to the kitchen it's gone again and the cycle repeats. Not much of a break, is it.

But this pamphlet dates from an era when "coffee break" meant neighbors (women, of course) taking a break from their household chores (sorry, ladies, this isn't me talking, it's the '70's) and getting together to"klatch", as my mother called it.  From 1978 and Maxwell House Coffee Times, it's "Coffee Breaks with The Friendly Taste of Home". 

Working Out the Kinks in Your Kitchen

Somehow, I don't think this pamphlet is about playing "You Really Got Me" while making your Sunday waffles.

Christmas Greetings

These days, most people turn to online services like Shutterfly to create custom Christmas cards to send to friends and family.  In 1977, you could order personalized cards out of book like this.

A Good Start for a Good Day

I have to admit, I'm not good about having a sit-down breakfast, at least on weekdays. Typically, I'm running out the door, getting the kids to the school bus and then making my way to work. I do eat breakfast, but it's generally at my desk -- a bowl of oatmeal.

Even as a child, you were more likely to find me seated with a TV tray in the living room eating a bowl of sugary cereal in front of "The Adventures of Superman" or "Bugs Bunny" than sitting down with my family to eggs and bacon.  But I always envied the scenes of families eating breakfast together, such as I'd seen on shows like "Leave it Beaver".

I don't know if that world ever existed.  Even in my day, we had cartoon blobs preaching to us about eating a good breakfast.

And as far back as 1957, the folks at Western Electric, purveyors of telephones, published this booklet on how to have "A Good Start for a Good Day".  Go grab a some breakfast and enjoy.

Let's Eat Outdoors

I know it's not officially over until September 22nd and we still have Labor Day in there, but school starts here next week so let's just call it: Summer is all but over.  But before it ends, let's get out one last time and eat amongst nature...with a big pot of beans and a can of Spam.

How to Have a Prettier Room!

Hey, it's time for another sporadic post!

It's Spring (though you wouldn't know it here in St. Louis where we're expected to get hit with more snow this weekend), a time of rejuvenation for nature as well as in your home.  This pamphlet courtesy of the fine folks at Johnson Wax will guide you in the prettification of your home with such hints as "Hide a steam pipe under fake ivy" and "Make a wonderful wastebasket"!

What to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee in July of 1964

Who wants more vintage travel ephemera?! Well, too bad, you're getting it anyway. Today's offering is this oddly red-colored brochure for Gatlingurg, Tennessee from July, 1964.  Why they just didn't go with all black and white, I don't know. My wife and I tent-camped in Gatlinburg about 25 years ago. Wettest week of my life.

The Young Cook's Bake-A-Bun Book

Is there anything better than fresh, hot buns?  Well, sure, probably lots of things, but it sounded like the proper way to start this post.  Anyway, enjoy this Bake-a-Bun Book published by Fleischmmann's Rapidmix yeast from 1974.

Plastics Can Wait

A post over on Papergreat got me to thinking about a find I made over last summer.  I don't typically look at posters at sales, but for some reason, I opened this one up when I found it by itself rolled up in the corner of a basement bedroom.