Die Cuts

"J. & C. A. Rudd, 522 Eighth Avenue, Near 86th Street, strictly fresh eggs."

"Alfred Wenrich, druggist, 16 North 13th St., Phila., with best wishes and a happy Easter."

A unique invitation for a Halloween party that probably took place in Reading, Pennsylvania, on Friday, October 25, 1929. The bat at left unfolds to reveal the witch at right opening her arms to invite potential partygoers to "see what fate holds through the year for you." For separate views of the bat and witch, see This Bat Comes from the Witches' Den to Summon You! and Come Take a Stir at the Witches' Brew .

"This bat comes from the witches' den to summon you!" A wide-eyed bat that reveals a Halloween party invitation when unfolded. For the complete invitation, see Halloween Party Invitation with Bat and Witch .

"Come take a stir at the witches brew / And see what fate holds through the year for you." "At the stroke of 8. On Fri., Oct. 25th. Place 548 S. 19th St. Edna Gerber. 'MASK.'" A beckoning witch invites potential partygoers to come stir the witches' brew. For the complete invitation, see Halloween Party Invitation with Bat and Witch .

Richard M. Nixon and Spiro T. Agnew, running in the 1968 U.S. presidential election as the Republican presidential and vice-presidential candidates, used the popularity of cartoonist Charles Shultz's animated television special, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (first broadcast in 1966), to suggest that even the Great Pumpkin --the Halloween equivalent of Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny--would cast a vote for them. Campaign workers evidently canvassed neighborhoods and placed pumpkin doorknob hangers like this one on the front doors of potential voters. Since the election that year was on November 5, the pumpkins served as a holiday-themed message at the end of October to remind voters to go to the polls. The Great Pumpkin was looking out for Nixon and Agnew, and they won the election.

"Old Fashion Ginger Snaps. Baked by Nabisco. National Biscuit Company." In addition to this paper pirate mask, Nabisco also promoted its Old Fashion Ginger Snaps with a "Rocket Man" mask (which turned up in a Google search--I wish I had a copy of it!), and I'm guessing that both masks probably date to the 1960s or 1970s. And who knew that pirates had such big ears? 8-)

"First Rate. G. S. Harris Sons, Phila." Three cigar box labels--First Rate, Prime , and Professor Morse --printed by the lithographic firm of Geo. S. Harris & Sons, Philadelphia, Pa.

"Prime. G. S. Harris Sons, Phila." For two other cigar box labels printed by the lithographic firm of Geo. S. Harris & Sons, Philadelphia, Pa., see First Rate and Prime , and Professor Morse --printed by the

Printed on the back of this sample cigar box label: "Geo. S. Harris & Sons, Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. No. 4505. Prof. Morse, trade mark. $6.00 per 1000. 70 cts. per 100. Also furnished blank." For two additional cigar box labels printed by the same lithographic firm, see First Rate and Prime .

"Greyhound Lines. Property Of: Name: Miss Rosie E. Shank. Street: Route 2. City: Williamsport. State: Maryland. This is not a baggage claim check."

A paper toy spinner intended to be given out to children on "Rally Day," a special celebration held by some Protestant churches in September or October to promote family attendance at church services and children's participation in Sunday school. "Glad you are here on our Rally Day. Insert pin and spin. Be a ten point member. 1. Attends regularly. 2. Comes on time. 3. Contributes weekly. 4. Studies the lesson. 5. Is attentive. 6. Seeks new members. 7. Is friendly. 8. Reads the Bible daily. 9. Prays for himself and others. 10. Attends church."

"Heed youth's call--vote as you think but vote! November 6, 1956. Use your freedom to vote. Boys Scouts of America. Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge." The printed text on the other side of this doorknob hanger includes the title "The American Way of Life," a list of "political and economic rights which protect the dignity and freedom of the individual," and another reminder to "Keep your freedom—vote!" According to "Boy Scouts to Leave Vote Pleas at 35,000,000 Homes," an article in the Gettysburg Times (Gettysburg, Pa.), Oct. 25, 1956, p. 1, Scouts planned to distribute 35 million Liberty Bell hangers prior to the presidential election on November 6: "The nation's 4,175,134 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorers, and adult leaders will climax their nationwide Get-Out-the-Vote campaign beginning Saturday, November 3. On that day and on Monday, November 5, they will call on a total of 35,000,000 homes and leave on front doorknobs a Liberty Bell hanger urging citizens to vote. "They have been conducting a nonpartisan campaign, without reference to any candidate or party. It has been sponsored jointly with Freedom Foundations, Inc., of Valley Forge." After all the votes were tallied on November 6, it turned out that incumbent Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower had won re-election and defeated his Democratic opponent Adlai Stevenson.

A young George Washington on a die-cut trade card shaped like an axe head. "Rosenbaum & Co., 208 North Eighth St.," Philadelphia, Pa. See Catalogue of Rosenbaum and Co.: Fall Season, 1881-82 for illustrations of the picture frames and other items that were available from this company.

See also the back of this advertising trade card: Fishing for Your Business, William Stuart, Canton, Ohio (Back) (below). Excerpt from the text on the back of the card : "We are out fishing for your fall trade, and the bait we are offering is prices lower than any other firm in Canton, and on the easy payment plan."

See also the front of this advertising trade card: Fishing for Your Business, William Stuart, Canton, Ohio (below). -------- $20 worth of furniture, carpets, stoves, or anything in the house furnishing line, for $2.00 cash and $1.00 per week, or $4.00 per month at Stuart's Great Bargain House, No. 57 E. Tuscarawas Street. We are out fishing for your fall trade, and the bait we are offering is prices lower than any other firm in Canton, and on the easy payment plan. Our stock of goods consists of furniture, carpets, stoves, ranges, heaters, baby buggies, lace curtains, window shades, gold and silver watches for ladies and gentlemen. Remember, we do the largest business in Canton, and sell you cheaper than any of our competitors, and give you liberal terms on any amount you wish to purchase. Remember the place. Come try us. Stuart's, 57 E. Tuscarawas St., Canton, O. (American Block.)

Text from the back of the card: "Colburn's Philadelphia Mustard, king of condiments. Always reliable for table & medicinal uses. Flavor, pungency, strength combined in perfection. Better than imported and cheaper. Saving 14 cts. per lb. in duty. For sale by grocers & druggists in ¼, ½, & 1 lb. cans. Full weight." For a different card featuring an owl instead of a dog, see Colburn's Philadelphia Mustard Trade Card c.1880 , a posting by Christopher Neapolitan on his Philadelphia Forgotten blog. Neapolitan's posting also includes photos of the Philadelphia site where Colburn's mustard was made, along with an account of the tragic death of Arthur T. Colburn, founder of the spice company that manufactured the mustard, and two of his three daughters in a yachting accident in 1901. See also the back of this advertising trade card: Colburn's Philadelphia Mustard, Philadelphia, Pa. (Back) (below).

See also the front of this advertising trade card: Colburn's Philadelphia Mustard, Philadelphia, Pa. (below). "Colburn's Philadelphia Mustard, king of condiments. Always reliable for table & medicinal uses. Flavor, pungency, strength combined in perfection. Better than imported and cheaper. Saving 14 cts. per lb. in duty. For sale by grocers & druggists in ¼, ½, & 1 lb. cans. Full weight."