ESA-46 is Reported to have drawn enthusiastic crowds

The American Society of Ephemera’s annual event, known as ESA-46, wrapped up on the March 22nd and is reported to have drawn an enthusiastic crowd to Greenwich, Connecticut to talk about, hear about, sell or buy this niche category of collectible paper. The fair had about 60 exhibiting dealers. Many will be exhibiting in New York at the end of April in the ABAA or neighboring fairs.

This year’s theme, America’s 250 Years: Ephemera Shapes America, was well suited for a history-oriented audience.

Here’s a list of Notable and Reported Sales & Items.

• Civil War Valentines: These were a major highlight of the fair. Rare "pop-up" and hand-painted examples from the 1860s reportedly moved quickly, with some reaching the mid-to-high hundreds ($500–$800+).    
• Black Liberation Posters: Mare Booksellers offered a rare Support Black Liberation, Free Assata Shakur poster. Institutional collectors (libraries and museums) are often the buyers for these types of high-impact social history archives.
• The Shell Oil "Peepshow": A 1928 seven-panel promotional item by Barnett Freedman. These are highly sought after by design collectors and usually command $1,000 to $2,500 depending on condition.    
• Vernacular Photography & Archives: Small archives of personal letters and photos, such as a 1970s drag performer’s archive, were popular. Prices for these types of "unique story" items generally ranged from $300 to $1,500.
• Entry-Level Treasures: Dealers reported strong "volume" sales of items priced between $10 and $50, such as vintage trade cards, 19th-century banknotes, and real-photo postcards.

The Ephemera Society of America encourages and needs fresh membership. When you contact them, think of them as the future of the past.

• Ephemera Society of America (ESA): https://www.ephemerasociety.org
  • This is where you can find membership details, the Ephemera Journal, and recaps of the recent Ephemera 46 conference in Greenwich.    If you join quickly you can get a discount on tickets for the NYIABF that opens on April 30th.