Brave New Economy

Russian plastic bag—from a 35-ruble store

Yes: that's about $1, which makes Fixprice akin to a dollar store.

I don't know how many countries have shops on this theme, but we do live in a world full of cheap Chinese crap that keeps large segments marginally able to consume. In this country's hollowed out economy, plenty of shoppers already use dollar stores as the alternative to dog food.

Though Japan also has thousands of 100 yen shops by now, here's something on the vintage side: a Kyoto discount store logo from the 1980s.

Back then, "discount store" was still a novel idea in Japan.

As far as I can remember from my one visit, the store sold decent quality stuff. And the merchandise was not yet imported from the land of totalitarian capitalism.

King of the Wild Frontier

1933, John Hancock Life Insurance Company

The 17-page pamphlet must have been treasured by Mrs. A. M. Ribolin, who inscribed her name on the covers (though she later erased the front).

Title page:

Page borders:

It seems so quaint now, the idea of an insurance company going after public goodwill with a patriotic, folksy giveaway about a subject of much mythology.

Instead of merely buying itself some senators.

Outside the Box

1950s gift wrap sheets, found in a small town during a road trip of J.'s—
Yet another reason to lament the loss of local retail to big box.

More designs—

Tiger of the Month Club: February

February: a good month for cabin fever?

Not with Panthera tigris to liven things up!

Frate Indovino: February Friar

"Until the boat leaves..."

The spiritual skygazer predicts:

Planetary positions: Mercury on the 10th passes by the sign of Capricorn in Acquarius. Venus on the 11th passes Aquarius [to?] Pisces. Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are stationed in the signs of the previous month (Leo, Pisces, Libra, Pisces and Aquarius).

Sunspots: occur early this month and after the third week. Magnetic storms: some geomagnetic failure in the first half of the month. Favorable days: concentrated after the middle of the last ten days. Special meteor sensitivity will occur early in the month.