: As pages of the calendar go flying off, ephemera dealers catch
them and save them, and maybe, later on, sell them. That is what
the ephemera and paper memorabilia show called Papermania Plus is
all about - catching a slice of life and preserving it for the
future. Nowhere is vintage pop-ular culture better recorded than
in the postcards, books, pictures, magazines, advertising
premiums, posters and other paper memorabilia of the Nineteenth
and Twentieth Century. The largest show of its kind in the
Northeast, the antique paper extravaganza took place August 23-24
at the Hartford Civic Center with 160 exhibitors.
The show has been around long enough to become a part of history
in its own right - more than 20 years. This year was the 44th
event for this biannual show and marked the first year for Gary
Gipstein to produce the show. Gipstein's mother, Arlene Shea, was
the show's manager this year. The late Paul Gipstein, Gary's
father, had produced the show in years past.
Talk show host Gary Sohmers, also a frequent guest on the
"Antiques Roadshow," is a regular exhibitor at Papermania. He
displayed a P.T. Barnum 1888 broadside and some games.
A fascinating array of maps, bar signs, pop-up books, movie
posters, historical documents, sheet music, autographs and
countless other types of by-gone paper goods gave collectors plenty
of reasons to part with their money. The "Plus" part of Papermania
Plus included commemorative plates, tobacco tins, sports
memorabilia and other items that complemented the collectible
paper. Being able to inspect each potential purchase in person and
chat with knowledgeable dealers makes the show an invaluable
resource.
Larry Shapiro of Glastonbury, Conn., had an advertising sign in
blue, mauve, black and white promoting Robin Hood Cycles made by
Raleigh Industries. John Van Doren of Stockton, N.J., brought
dozens of colorful vintage Hollywood posters wrapped in plastic
and ready to look at in flip-through bins. Stacks of books and
magazines could be found at the booth of Harry F. Brewster of New
Windsor, N.Y.
Ephemera, toys and advertising are Leon Jackson's specialties.
The Carlisle, Mass. dealer brought Disney's 1938 Snow White and
The Seven Dwarfs collection.
Gary Sohmers looked every bit as colorful in his Hawaiian
shirt as the vividly colored H.R. Pufnstuf game he had at his
display. Sohmers, a regular on The Antiques Roadshow, also
brought along an 1888 P.T. Barnum broadside.
Leon Jackson of Carlisle, Mass., catered to the child inside with
may toys and children's items such as the 1938 Disney Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs collection of storybooks. G. Ross Irving of
New York City could bring out the "fan" in just about anyone,
with his display of autographs of movie stars, musicians and
others.
"In spite of a beautiful, sunny weekend, Papermania had a
respectable turnout," said show manager Arlene Shea after the
show. The weather was, after all, no match for the enthusiasm of
the dealers, the colorful and interesting bits of culture and
history that filled the exhibition space and the warm nostalgia
that Papermania Plus is known to foster.
For information on the January 10-11 Papermania, call Hillcrest
Promotions at 860-563-9975 or 860-529-2234.
