Thursday, March 31, 2011

Office of the Past

Here's the "Simplifind" filing system, for "records that come to you." Today, lots of deskfuls of these records would fit in your pocket on a jump drive!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

BBQ Season is Near

...and to make sure you're ready, git yourself a Big John Grille or Big John Rotisserie -- the "Talk of Partygivers."

This advertising card makes the most of the postcard format. Four different pictures of burning animal flesh (in case one doesn't make the point), with a bikini-clad grill supervisor thrown in for good measure!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Union Station, Las Vegas


The Las Vegas Union Pacific Station was the best example of Streamline Moderne in Las Vegas. It was built in 1940 and replaced a 30-year-old Spanish-style station. It was demolished in the mid-1960s to build the Union Plaza Hotel. Amtrak continued train service to the back of the hotel until 1993.

The Union Plaza Hotel, now called the Plaza Hotel, announced in September, 2010 that it was closing its 1,037-room hotel tower and will lay off more than 400 employees, in order to make upgrades and re-open in a very difficult economy. The Plaza is the white building in the foreground of this photo:

Progress?!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Awesome Awning

"Other Awnings Can't Stand It," is the catch phrase on the reverse of this postcard for the Silver-Top Manufacturing Co. Of course, this roof probably collapsed a few weeks ago during the Northeast snowstorms of 2011, where we had foot upon foot of snow on our roofs, with numerous collapses around here in Connecticut.

Note that in addition to the workmen, two suits and Lassie are also up on the roof. A very effective demonstration of the strength of the aluminum!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Office of the Past

Here's the latest in Dictaphones -- the Traveler Soundscriber. It's battery operated and features cool green disks branded nicely with the logo.

I just discovered more information about this on an item currently listed on Ebay! See this link: http://cgi.ebay.com/Soundscriber-Dictating-1950s-Rare-CD-Manual-Model-5R-/380160832115?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item588359f273

This is a "trick" postcard, as the back reveals...it's actually a postcard sample from the publisher, with the following description on the back:
"This copy you are reading represents the approximate amount and layout included in the cost of your post card order. Anything in excess of this, or differing in layout, will carry an extra charge.
This card is a standard post card format. Cards will always be printed in this form unless otherswise specified."

Hmmm, I wonder how well this one helped their postcard sales!