Swapatorium

Crime & Punishment

Mugshot, 1924.
Purchased from a retired policeman's collection. 


  Fingerprint ink with box, date unknown. Purchased at a flea market table for $1.


 

Punishment Book, Auburn Prison, New York, 1840s-1880s.

Purchased from a rare books dealer.  This is a fascinating and chilling account of the punishments that were given to prisoners in the 19th century at Auburn Prison.  It was not cheap, but considering its historical significance, it was well worth the price we paid.  It's quite large and fragile and not easy to scan.  If I can figure out a way to get a good shot of the whole page, I'll post more in the future.

Pencil Box

Eagle Mirado Chemi-Sealed pencils and boxes.

B.V.D.

Box found at an estate sale yesterday.

A Clean Start

I've been cleaning our garage like mad and figure it will take me a good month to completely get it done.  As I have mentioned in the past, our garage is filled from floor to ceiling with boxes of things from estate and garage sales. Mainly, it's photos, ephemera, and films.  Some have sat in there over a year or more.  It started about the time my mother became ill.  Back when I was selling vintage clothing and photos on eBay, in the late 1990s, my parents would come over and help me pack items and go to the post office for me.  It was really nice having them around my home.  My mom would water my plants and my dad would hand stamp all of my envelopes with DO NOT BEND or clean fiberglass Eames shells.  I guess in some ways, I had avoided the garage because it reminded me of them.  I have been dealing with their deaths much better these days and I think if I can conquer our garage, I will be on my way to a more peaceful life.  I know that sounds strange. 

Anyway, while going through a box of slides, I found this cool IBM box for typewriter ribbons. It had been used to hold slides, so it's not in the best of shape. Still, I love the graphics and colors.