Sanford L. Smith & Associates – The Ephemera of Society America
March 15-17, 2024
Fair + Conference at Hyatt Regency,Old Greenwich, CT
esafair.com

OLD GREENWICH, CONN. — The ESA Ephemera Fair — officially sanctioned by the Ephemera Society of America (ESA) and produced and managed by Sanford L. Smith + Associates — is set to return to the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Saturday and Sunday, March 16-17, for its 44th Edition. The ESA’s annual conference — themed “Conflict/Resolution” — will precede the fair on Friday, March 15,

According to Oxford Reference, ephemera refers to “things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time, items of collectible memorabilia typically written or printed that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity.” Although not created with preservation in mind, many types of ephemera have evolved into collectible treasures. The Ephemera Fair boasts more than 10,000 items ranging from advertisements, banknotes, baseball cards, business cards and cookbooks to fans, greeting cards, luggage tags, rare maps, playbills, receipts, sheet music, wood engravings and much more, spanning generations of human history and culture. The fair caters to a wide audience, from entry-level collectors, with items as low as $10, to seasoned collectors, enthusiasts and experts, with pieces reaching the multi-million-dollar range.

Throughout its four decades and counting, The ESA Ephemera Fair has served as a cultural cornerstone in Connecticut and the surrounding New England and New York area, serving as the premier event to experience, discuss and exhibit ephemera and related materials.

“We’re thrilled to kick off Ephemera 44 — our annual Ephemera Conference and Fair. The fair will have something for everyone with a mix of our longtime, returning dealers alongside some newcomers,” said Michael Peich, vice president of the Ephemera Society of America. “This will also mark our 44th annual conference whose theme is ‘Conflict/Resolution.’ The conference is a wonderful way to learn more about the impact of ephemera in our day-to-day lives and a perfect opportunity to become a member of ESA.”

Recognized as the largest ephemera show in the United States, the Ephemera Fair showcases more than 50 exhibitors from across the country, including longtime participants such as Evie Eysenburg Ephemera, aGatherin’ and Stephen Resnick. While many of the 2024 exhibitors have been part of the Ephemera Fair since its inception, attesting to the fair’s longevity and relevance to its dealers and audiences, the event continues to attract new dealers.

Each year, the ESA hosts a conference on the Friday before the fair, this year taking place on Friday, March 15, themed “Conflict/Resolution,” the conference will feature eight presentations led by expert speakers addressing diverse topics related to conflict and/or resolution, relying heavily on tangible ephemera.

The conference will explore ephemera of conflict and, where possible, resolution. While war, both national and international, may come to mind, the theme will also include significant social or political movements where ephemera has been produced to advance an argument or as evidence of what transpired.

The conference and fair stands as the ESA’s largest in-person member’s event of the year, providing an opportunity for those interested to learn more about the ESA and potentially become a member.

Members-only fair preview: $12; single-day admission: $12 online, $15 at the door; students free with valid ID (at the door only).

The Hyatt Regency is at 1800 East Putnam Avenue. For more information, www.esafair.com, www.sanfordsmith.com or 212-777-5218.

Discover treasures of the past at Ephemera 44 Fair featuring over 60 exhibitors For tickets & info: esafair.com