Ephemera:

Ephemera is a broad term used to describe items of paper that were created for use in a short time span and meant to be thrown away after one or two uses. Items generally put into the ephemera category of collecting would be sheet music, posters, stock certificates, post cards, cigarette cards, magazines, catalogs, and the like.
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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Cuba at the World's Fair (1939)

It's easy to see why this booklet caught my eye as I went through the box.  The graphics and design are meant to attract attention.  This book, as well as many others in Madeline's collection, is in very good condition.  The inside front cover states in large letters "You are Welcome!".  The 30 pages inside are a travel advertisement in words and photos of the island. 

This is the first page.  It starts:  "Cuba invites you to come and visit her.  Not as in '98, with troops and battleships, but just a happy, carefree visit."  If only the same could be said today!  It continues:  "Like good neighbors, we should know each other better."

The following pages cover History, Countryside, Beaches and Harbors, Cuban Highway, Havana, Old Towns, Crops, Customs, Mining, Sports, and Music and Dance.  The last page tells you that you don't have to go to Montecarlo to gamble, all that is legal in Cuba; and if you win big, you can party until dawn at the many nightclubs.  Here is the back cover:


A copy of this booklet was offered online for $40.  It is a nice piece of history.

2 comments:

  1. I'm really enjoying the World's Fair ephemera; both my grandparents went in '39 (before they met each other) and it's fun to see the bits and bobs they would've encountered. ^_^

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  2. Happy someone else appreciates the old history. Thank you!

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