ephemera

Bruce Lee Signed Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute Card

A truly rare ephemera item has surfaced on eBay; a Bruce Lee signed Jun Fan Gung Fu Instutitue card circa 1966-67.

 

Superb Helen Keller Inscription 1st Edition Out of the Dark

A truly superb Helen Keller inscription is up for bid on eBay. According to the listing, Helen inscribed this first edition of Out of the dark : essays, letters, and addresses on physical and social vision.

Out of the Dark was a "a series of essays on socialism and its impact on Helen's public image was immense. Everyone now knew Helen's political views." The big selling point, however, is the wonderful inscription in Helen Keller's own hand, which says: "I would not part with my experience in the dark, because out of the dark I may be able to carry light.  H.K.  Oct 21. 1918" 

Victorian Illustrated Language Teaching Series Poster

Up for bid on eBay is a circa 1899 three-part set of the "Primary Language Series," a large format set of posters and teaching instructions, which would have been hung from an easel and flipped through by teachers in a Victorian schoolhouse setting to supplement a course of instruction in nature study, history, geography, literature, and more. 

"We have seen pieces like this taken apart and sold framed page by page, as the lithography, calligraphy, and artistry as of such high quality throughout this piece," says the seller. "This features remarkable and historically important illustrations of fairy tales such as Cinderella, Native American culture, the natural world of flowers, and fauna, historical figures like George Washington, the cotton industry in the antebellum South, and so much more. This is a very rare piece--we haven't ever seen another in condition like this, or with three from the series--and has great appeal for collectors of history, Americana, Victorian culture, educational and workplace ephemera, and more." 

According to the listing, the poster was created by Alice Woodworth Cooley, who was responsible for much of the American public school primary curriculum in the U.S. in the late 19th century.

"This provides a truly colorful and hard to find window into the past," the seller adds.

Boston New England Large Museum Quality Map 1867

Here's a Christmas gift for the die-hard Bostonian who has everything--a Baker & Tilden Boston wall map from 1867.

This superb map--Eastern New England with Boston in the center--is up for bid on eBay.

"The map has been cut into letter size pieces and very carefully mounted on on heavy cloth backing which is in superb condition," says the seller. "The glue is 100 percent intact... not a single shred of paper has left the backing. It looks as if this map has hardly ever been opened up. The details are superb with the names of proprietors on many areas. There is what seems as an Ex Libris mark on the back; William John MacDonald, who passed away on 4th of March, 1898. Did he own it then?"

The seller adds, "It is museum quality and could do very well if properly mounted and put as center piece in a room or anywhere else where a map could be displayed."

Printed almost exactly 100 years before The Standells famous tribute to Boston's dirty water.

Sphere Compass Ptolemy Copper Map 1710

A decorative and beautiful colored copper engraved view of N. Bion is up for bid on eBay. The Sphere Compass Ptolemy map was published in Paris in 1710 by J.Boudet and J.Collombat.

Cutler Sells Sheffield Parish Church Pews 1698 Document

A manuscript document, dated 4th August 1698, confirming the sale of a seat in the Sheffield Parish Church is being auctioned on eBay.

According to the listing, the document describes the sale by Thomas Webster Cutler, to James Tuckman, silversmith, for seven shillings. Signed by Webster, witnessed by Isaac Stainforth and Stephen Ludlam and counter signed by the vicar N. Drake.

"A most attractive little document," says the seller. "The document includes a quaint description of the location of the seat: 'One Seat in Sheffield Church at ye West and Thereof in ye Head end of ye next pew but one to ye Door on ye North Side ye font'."

Reliquary Elisabeth of the Trinity with Document

Up for bid on eBay is a reliquary with relic from Elisabeth of Trinity.

Relic, wax seal, and thread in correct in place, says the seller. "I want to thank the writer of Her story of life," the seller continues. "With this reliquary is a document, signed in Rome, with description of the relic and reliquary. The Saint of the Divine Indwelling."

Slave Document Selling Mother and Children

A regarding the sale of slaves--a mother and children--from 1848 is up for bid on eBay.

The letter reads: "I have this day sold and hereby convey to THo. B. F----- his Heirs and assigns forever, for eleven hundred dollars, to me paid and woman slave named Catherine, twenty six years of age and her two children, Eliza and Charles.  The first bout seven years old and the other about eighteen months old.  I warrant the bill to said slave, to the said Tho. B F------ his heirs and assigns lawful claim of all persons, and I also warrant them to be sound, healthy, sensible, and slaves for life this 15th day of January 1848."

1774 Cellarius Map - Gallia Cisalpina

Up for bid on ebay, you'll find this 1774 Cellarius Map - Gallia Cisalpina.

According to the listing, Christoph Keller (Cellarius) was an early believer in the power of maps to help sell books. His 'Geographia Antiqua' was so popular that its publication spanned three centuries from 1686 to 1812 and different maps were used for many editions.

"This map comes from a 1774 edition of that work. It shows Italy from just north of Rome and stretches to the Swiss and Austrian borders to the north, Nice and Provence to the west and Trieste and Istria to the east," says the seller. "Prominent features are the Arno river with Pisa and Florence, Perugia, Ravenna, Cremona, Parma, Genoa and the Italian lakes. However there is no Venice because of its post Roman creation. The map is guaranteed to be over 225 years old."

Signed Personal Check of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Up for bid on eBay is this signed personal check of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, dated Feb. 5, 1984, in the amount of $65.00.

The sellers says, "It is an un-cashed check...obviously, the recipient appreciated it more for the signature than the actual dollar value. It has been stored in a plastic sleeve and has no rips or tears, but is slightly faded from age."

It must be pain for the famous to try to reconcile their check book balance each month, no?