Thrift Shop Day

Pictures from the holiday half-price sale, at the Parent-Teacher Organization's shop. While the shop is there to raise funds for student activities, it is itself a highly educational experience.

For instance, before today's visit I would not have known either this object (filter paper for chemical tests), or the 19th century scientist endorsing the brand.

Finding Berzelius' actual endorsement would no doubt take real research, but here are prices from a 1903 lab supply catalog, published in St. Louis.

Program notes from a Philadelphia Orchestra concert.

This was in a locked case, and the place was way too busy to bother having it opened. Going by art style, the program is probably from the 1940s to early '50s.

According to this, the game originated in WWII (but copyright was 1940, per this.)

For this to have caught on, it would seem to have needed public confidence that the Depression was ending. Perhaps a few years of New Deal had inspired enough confidence by then. The early '40s picture does seem complicated by what was on the near horizon: wartime status for the economy, and rationing for the public. Maybe the game's concept was attractive as a matter of aspiration.

Jump to postwar; roughly, early 1960s?

This would work as a soundtrack for the speedway action.

Complete with genuine simulated stereo.

Another country heard from...

Spotted by J, who, a few years ago, found this classic of the genre.

J's other find today—and the pièce de ... something or other—a newspaper-collaged candle holder.

 

At first glance—and in keeping with the motif—this wacked-out face had looked like some medieval equivalent of a hippie. A wild-eyed alchemist? Some ancient Dr. Caligari?

On further consideration... Shylock?

And...

Multi-tasking Lenin, who orates while sheltering a young girl. I assume the cringing figures on the right must be serfs (who haven't yet heard the good news?) Although Marx must be meant to listen thoughtfully, it really has to be said that he looks pained and disbelieving.