ephemera

1880s Chinese Musicians in Peking

This original 19th century albumen photograph of Chinese musicians playing on the streets of Peking, China, is being offered on eBay.

The bidding on this historic photograph is already over $700.

U.S. Naval Officer’s 1930s Panama Canal Documents

An interesting lot of a U.S. Naval Officer's papers, including his pay record, are being auctioned on eBay.

"I believe from his pay record he may have been the commander of a submarine," says the seller. "…also included are two different sets of driver's license, the one with his picture is dated 1938 from Panama--written in Spanish it reads Zona del Canal, so I would think this is from the Panama Canal Zone--this license list that he was Negro, but from his picture, Officer Aram Yervant Parunak looks to be of Spanish heritage."

The other license, the seller continues, in the red booklet, is dated 1943 and is from Bermuda; it list his name with a hand written license number of 3728; his age as 32 years old and employed by U.S. Navy. From speaking with family members, I believe he was also at some point a diplomat for the U.S. in one of these areas.

Deck of Hard-A-Port Cut Plug Tobacco Playing Cards

Up for bid on eBay is a very rare deck of Hard-A-Port Cut Plug tobacco playing cards from the 1880s.

The cards come in what appears to be its original box, according to the seller. The top flap is separated.  It contains part of a two cent tax stamp on it. 

"The deck contains 52 cards + one joker," says the seller, each one has a different 'busty' lady on it."

Brigitte Bardot Naughty Girl Movie Poster

A vintage 1950's Brigitte Bardot film poster of the movie, Cette Sacre Gamine (Naughty Girl) is up for grabs on eBay.

The tagline for the poster says it all: Come in at the Middle, Beginning, or Even Tell the Ending...Anytime is BARDOT TIME! According to the listing, the Naughty poster measures 64 x 46 inches. The movie poster is not a reproduction, but an original from the time when the movie was first shown in the cinema.

Bardot is a French actress, fashion model, singer, and animal rights activist.

 

Emerald Steamer New Orleans Line Travel Ephemera

A genuine business trade card and travel reminder for Cincinnati & New Orleans Express Line Packet for Memphis & New Orleans, the elegant passenger steamer Emerald, is being sold on eBay.

According to the listing, the item features a great illustration of the Steamer Emerald on the front of the card, printed in light blue, and on the reverse side, the card features distances from Cincinnati to New Orleans. The card was printed by Cin. Com. Print. Written with pencil on the front is the date November, 1859.

The sinking of the Steamer Emerald provides details about the demise of the ship. It link contains interesting facts about the Steamer such as it had a capacity of 900 tons and was built in November 1859 at a cost of $36,000.

Chief Big Thunder Exhibition Broadside 1868

Up for bid on eBay is an original 1868 broadside advertising a Grand Indian Exhibition by the Celebrated Menusco Company, featuring Chief Big Thunder, his wife, Alzoma: The Princess Winnow and the Indian Clown, Wonzo, according to the listing.

The broadside has a date of 1868 towards the bottom, making this a scarce early example of such exhibitions, says the seller. Chief Big Thunder was one of the most colorful and controversial Native-American characters in Maine's history. For more about his remarkable story, read Wayne Reilly's entertaining reportage on the subject.

You've got to love anything featuring Wonzo, the Indian Clown, yes?

Bob Crane TV Memorabilia

An eBay seller is making a lot of Bob Crane memorabilia available at auction.

According to the listing, the items include four signed playbills, four TV magazines, postcard, a ticket to the Bob Crane show and a production hand book, poster, eight lobby cards, small movie reel all for the movie Superdad, two pieces sheet music, large photo, magazine/paper at time of his death, among others.

"I want to sell this as a lot and do not want to break up the items," says the seller.

Andersonville Civil War Prison Original Documents

Up for auction on eBay is a complete set of museum quality civil war documents and family letters from Andersonville prison.

Circa 1863, the 34 original documents describe Abraham Walker Carr's life and times during this era, according to the seller. All hand written documents are original and then re-recorded (typed) by his daughter Helen Stephans, wife of Senator George Stevens. All copies of Abes military records were retrieved from the U.S. national archives, records administration, Civil War division. This complete collection is of great historical value. 

The seller adds, "Rare memoirs, letters and documents including confinement at Andersonville prison and civil war service pertaining to Abraham Carr, Corporal, Co.1, 2nd regiment. Very good family collection. The contents of the letters also tell of some of the battles he was in, such as Lewisberg, Greenberg County, West Virginia, this battle lasted only 43 minutes, the Rebels lost 261 dead, 500 wounded, 1500 prisoners and lost 6 cannons. Union lost 13 dead 75 wounded. Our Uncle Abe was also in the battle of Murfeesboro, and in the battle of Prestonberg, Kentucky, Jan. 8, 1862; 8 Union men killed and 50 horses shot. Uncle Abe was also at the battle of Wytheville, West Virginia, where he was wounded and his horse was killed while he was on his back. He spent time in Belle prison, Milne prison, and Anderson prison. His escape from Anderson was very clever. Some of the officers he served under were General Washburn, Major General Crook, General, Garfield, and Colonel Powel.  Uncle Abe writes a sad story of telling a mother of her son's death after the war. There is an account of Christmas day in Andersonville prison that is so heart breaking that many people have cried when they have read it. General Winder was  in charge of Anderson prison ,and Captain Wurtz was second in command. Total pages in Uncle Abes' own hand writing are 20 pages. This book was appraised by Greg Martin Auction House in San Francisco several years ago."

Bob Dylan Tarantula

Up for auction on eBay is a third printing of Bob Dylan's Tarantula. The book was written at the height of Bob's rise to rock super stardom.

According to the publisher, the book existed for years only in dog-eared bootleg copies, but it was eventually published in 1971. The book captures the turbulent times in which it was written.

The seller adds, "If you want to tap into the mind of Bob Dylan in the Sixties or are interested in knowing what the sixties where like, then this book will show you both."

First Words Spoken From Earth to the Moon

There's an eBay auction for an 8 x 10 manuscript/document that memorializes the first words spoken on the moon and the first words spoken from earth to the moon.

The exchange involved Charlie Duke (Capcom) and Buzz Aldrin (LMP):

Buzz Aldrin: "Contact Light, OK, Engine Stop"

Charlie Duke: "We copy you down Eagle"

The document is signed by both astronauts. As you can see, the signatures are clean and bold.