Image of the Day: S. Cooke Imgraham's Books

Image of the Day; The Request

Outside of the note . . .

and the inside of the note.

Jensen's “Crystal” Pepsin

Letter from J. C Perry & Co., Sole Travelling and Advertising Agents of Carl L. Jensen’s  Preparations, recently found by me stuck between pages in an old book. 

Ads for the Crystal Pepsin can be found here in the Dietetic and Hygienic Gazette, Volume 6, Issue 8, October 1890 and here in the The National Druggist, Volume 12, Issue 8, April 15, 1888. Many other great ads can be found by scrolling through these two links.

“My Dear Samuel…” May 16, 1994

This found letter discovered between pages an old book, was written Wednesday, May 16th, 1894 near Greenland and was postmarked almost 3 months later in Philadelphia on August 7, 1894. Page 3 of the letter notes the sailing ship the writer was on getting stuck in drift ice, and on June 9th seeing “the green ray as the sun set we have no night now.”

Close-up of the embossed seal on the letter. It looks like a capital dome, but I cannot make out the lettering above it.

Afternoon Tea with Aunt Maude

Samson Street in Upper Darby, PA in the mid-1970s

As the weather has begun to turn cooler, I have been making a cup of tea to enjoy in the afternoon at work. With the brewed aroma of Bigelow’s Constant Comment® orange peel and spices filling the air, my Great-Aunt Maude joins me in spirit. I have such a strong mental connection of this tea with her, most likely from early autumn days spent with her in her kitchen, while this tea brewed in white china cups. 

During my pre-dawn runs or early morning bike commutes to work, I have an eye that tears and waters from the breeze. I quietly say out loud, “Good morning Aunt Maude.” In my earliest memories of her, she always had a tissue tucked in a sweather pocket or up in the cuff of her blouse to dry her eyes that watered in the same manner. A gentle grounding presence for me, she has become a pause and a time of reflection during many of my afternoons.

There are many senses that I associate with quiet soul. The smell of a large hot soft pretzel with yellow mustard instantly takes me to center-city Philadelphia shopping with her. Other memories of our times together include:

—Buying warm cashews at G.C. Murphy’s

—Watching TV cooking shows, especially the Galloping Gourmet, and her love of cookbooks

—Walking her cat Princess on a leash in cool foggy mornings through the alleys of Upper Darby

—Her ability to butter toast without crushing the bread

—Listening to KYW news radio together in her breakfast nook

—Puppets, especially a very well-loved rabbit, skunk, and Kermit the Frog 

—Walking hand-in-hand to a nearby golf course to collect stray balls along the edge of the course

—The train and commuter stations in and around Philadelphia that we traveled through

—Shopping at the farmers, fish, and produce market and the lasting sights and smells these imprinted in me

—Her love of reading books and the daily newspaper

—Taking time to visit both large and small museums

—Exposing me to the many cultures throughout the city

—Her winding laundry shoot that dropped from the second floor to the basement

—And lastly, her appreciation of the arts

On a limited income, she made her home accessible and worldly to a small town boy who was lost in so many ways. I am glad that she still takes the time to join me now, even after all these years.

Valley View, PA in the late 1980s

Image of the Day: Panorama of Philadelphia

This is another postcard that I purchased at a flea market,
postmarked June 25, 1909.

I love the sepia-toned ink, and find it quaint that this is referred to as a ‘postal.’ But who is ‘Brother,’ why did he run away with Fred, and why didn’t she expect him to return until September?

Fishs Eddy & Vintage Metal Stationer’s Engraving Blocks

via pomme designs

“ . . . Dave, one of the owners of Fishs Eddy, made a fortuitous find on a recent buying trip to the Midwest: Vintage metal stationer's engraving blocks from the 1940’s and 1950’s! He came back with hundreds of initials and full addresses, most in their original boxes with handwritten names and dates of when they were last used.”

I had the great pleasure of seeing these engraving blocks in person with two of my best  friends. Fishs Eddy is a fascinating place to wander through. I noticed what looked like letterpress blocks nestled on an old desk surrounded by glassware. The outer boxes were curious as well with handwritten labels from the ’40s. I realized what they were, and while looking through the various names, monograms, and address blocks from the Philadelphia region, it was thrilling to even find a few that were still wrapped and taped closed, never opened since they were created by Baily Banks & Biddle. Priced very reasonably, I just couldn’t figure out what I could use these for, so I just appreciated them for their beauty and craft and continued exploring and shopping with my companions.