Checkerboard

August 2025

• 2025 AAAA Convention
• Checkerboard Special Feature: What's in a Product Name?
• Vintage Promotional Folding Fans
• The Hunt-Joe Sancinellia
• Indy Ad Show-Lebanon: Sept. 27
• Hess Auction: Sept. 19
• Video: Forbus General Store, Pall Mall, TN
• Wanted Items

The 2025 AAAA Convention has come and gone, leaving attendees with fond memories...and some terrific acquisitions (and/or impressive sales)! This convention was distinguished by numerous reports of exceptionally strong buying activity, punctuated by some dealers claiming record sales.

But the convention was much more than just buying and selling. As always, re-connecting with friends and kindred souls was right up there as a favorite activity. At this point, long-term relationships extending beyond 30 years are commonplace. This is a tight group of impassioned collectors and this convention only served to further solidify that bond.

The Embassy Suites Dublin (Columbus) once again provided a wonderful setting for conducting room sales, with the spacious two-room suites. Other popular accommodations of the venue include the daily Evening Reception with free alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and light snacks; the award-winning hot buffet breakfast with made-to-order eggs; and the beautiful atrium that really is a sight to behold.

The convention featured three seminars, as follows:

"Rochester, New York Lithography"

By John DeVolder

"Advertising Art of Coshocton Ohio"



By Bill Carlisle

"100 Years of Ice Cream Advertising"

By Heather Tomasello

Thanks to all who attended this convention and to all who worked diligently to bring it to our membership!

The gallery below presents a brief snapshot of the convention and its activities. A more in-depth account of the event, including many additional photos, will be awaiting you in the September issue of the AAAA PastTimes.

For advertising, it’s just about everything. A cool name creates a strong first impression – insuring lasting recognition and recall. It also makes the product stand out from the crowd while creating a clear and positive advertising message. A new Checkerboard feature begins in this E-Newsletter looking back at catchy (and at times stupid) product names that have surfaced over the years. These stories will not include the most successful product names – such as Kleenex or Scotch tape – but they will be memorable.

WE ARE ASKING AAAA READERS TO SHARE THE NAME OF PAST PRODUCTS THAT HAVE CAUGHT THEIR ATTENTION AND REMAIN UNFORGETABLE. THESE PRODUCT NAMES WILL BE THE INSPIRATION FOR FUTURE STORIES. PLEASE EMAIL YOUR FAVORITE CATCHY NAME TO ME AT: dtoside@gmail.com. JUST PROVIDE THE PRODUCT NAME – I'll DO THE RESEARCH, FLESH IT OUT INTO AN ARTICLE, AND GIVE CREDIT TO SUCCESSFUL SUGGESTIONS.

We begin this new feature with a product that dates back many years and was cast in iron.

The year was 1899 and Allegheny, Pennsylvania inventor Frederick C. Smalstig was on target. Apparently there was no doubt in Smalstig’s mind that he had patented the best can opener in the world. In fact, the cast-iron beauty is marked WORLD’S BEST CAN OPENER. The 6 ¾-inch device is also marked on the top of the adjustable blade: PAT. JUNE 6, 1899. That is the date of Patent No. 626,507 awarded to Smalstig.

In his patent papers, Smalstig explained how the WORLD’S BEST worked (remember this was years before hand rotary openers): “In operation the opener is taken in either hand and after inserting point in the can-top center in usual manner the sliding knife carrier is adjusted by the forefinger either backward or forward according to the size of the opening to be cut. The handle and head are can-top. The frictional contact between head and plate is sufficient to hold the latter and the knife fixed, so that a true circle or part thereof is cut.”

The 1899 patent was the third opener patent awarded to Smalstig, the other two coming in 1895 and 1896. Those two apparently did not make it past the patent stage.

Smalstig assigned half the 1899 patent to Gabriel Mayer, also a resident of Allegheny. Mayer was an officer of the World Manufacturing Company, which made and marketed the opener. In grocery store newspaper advertisements in the early 1900s the opener was offered for 10 cents with the promise “always ready for use, considered best made.”

In last month's issue of the Checkerboard, an article introducing flat advertising fans was published. In this article, we feature promotional folding fans.

Folding fans have a rich and fascinating history that intersects art, commerce, and social culture. These fans, typically made of paper or fabric mounted on folding sticks (often of wood, bone, or celluloid), were both practical accessories and clever marketing tools from the late 19th century through the early 20th century.

Folding fans likely originated in East Asia (likely Japan or China) centuries ago and were introduced to Europe in the 16th century through trade. By the 18th and 19th centuries, folding fans were fashionable accessories for women in Europe and America, often intricately decorated and used for social signaling.

As lithographic printing technology improved in the mid-to-late 1800s, businesses began using fans as advertising mediums. The paper surface of the fan provided ample space for colorful, eye-catching illustrations and promotional messages.

The golden age of the promotional folding fan was the late 19th to Early 20th Century (c. 1880s–1930s). Folding fans were distributed at expositions, theaters, department stores, pharmacies, and restaurants, often free of charge. They featured ads for perfumes, soaps, cigars, soft drinks, medicines, and travel destinations, among others.

One side typically displayed a company logo, product illustration, or promotional slogan. The reverse might have scenic art, floral motifs, or portraits, making them attractive and collectible even after the advertisement was obsolete. Some included calendars or event schedules, especially when handed out at fairs or theaters.

Women used these fans in social and formal settings, adding prestige to the brands that advertised on them. Fans served both a practical function (cooling oneself) and a fashion statement, enhancing their appeal as promotional gifts. Businesses recognized that an attractive fan was more likely to be kept, reused, and shown to others—making it a powerful word-of-mouth marketing tool.

By the 1940s, the popularity of advertising folding fans declined due to changes in fashion, materials (such as plastics), and the rise of new advertising formats like radio and television. Today, vintage advertising fans are now prized by collectors for their graphic art, branding history, and cultural context. Fans from famous brands or events (e.g., Coca-Cola, World’s Fairs, Art Nouveau or Art Deco designs) are especially sought-after.

Folding fans fall into a broader pricing range than flat paper fans. While some folding fans are priced modestly, others can cost hundreds of dollars.

Click here for a fascinating article on this topic that was written by Mary Kay McBrayer entitled "A Brief Compendium of Advertising Fans" and published in the June 9, 2022 issue of the Messy Nessy Cabinet of Curiosities web site. Selected images from that article appear below.

As I read the May, 2025 issue of Checkerboard I was fascinated by the Cadbury story and felt I should share my story on “The Hunt”.

As a small boy, I spent many hours at the local soda fountain and was fascinated by all of the early soda fountain machines, glassware, display cases and advertising. Fast forward many years later, I met my wife, who is a collector of early Americana, and I got my first taste of actual “collecting”.

My wife and I traveled the east coast in search of early American items, but now the collecting bug had hit me. My wife saw my interest in soda fountain and early advertising items and she encouraged me to seek out the unusual. In time, she also became interested in my “addiction”. For over 30 plus years we travelled to auctions and shows up and down the east coast from Maine to Maryland.

One winter, several days after a massive snow storm, we traveled from New Jersey to Pittsfield, Massachusetts for a scheduled auction. To my surprise, there were two events, one which contained many early American items and a second auction which was located at an old movie theatre.

As the auction was about to end, my wife, who had been walking around the theatre, noticed a large heavy item that looked like a mirror facing the wall. She couldn’t see the front fully. She asked the auctioneer if that item was available. Although he had not planned on putting it up for bid, he responded, if we were interested sight unseen, he would go ahead and auction it. As it turned out, were able to bring this gem home, which we still own today!!! (See image below) I am assuming this is a one-of-a kind Cadbury collectible. The reverse gold leaf on glass and colors are still incredibly vibrant.

P.S. My wife was now hooked.

The Indy Ad Show will return to its rustic fall location in Boone County, Indiana, (just outside of Indianapolis) on September 27, 2025. It will be open from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. General admission is $10.00. There will be no early buyers. Top quality antique advertising and toy vendors from around the country will come together to provide collectors with a rare shopping opportunity. Most antique advertising collectors consider this a "must-attend" event!

An announcement was recently made that the Indy Ad Show and the National Association of Breweriana Advertising (NABA) will engage in partnering activities. NABA sellers will have a presence at all future Indy Ad Shows. At the upcoming Fall show, NABA sellers will be in the building next to the Indy Ad Show's location.

For further information about the Indy Ad Show, contact Damon Granger at 248-910-6765 or email Damongranger@gmail.com.

There will be a "Country Store and Advertising Auction" on Friday, September 19 at 9:00 am in Manheim, Pennsylvania. It will be a live and online event. Items to be sold will include tobacco, wood and tin signs, store stock and fixtures, rare salesman sample chocolate tins, coffee, veterinary cabinets, stoneware and more. This auction will be conducted by the Hess Auction Group. For further information, contact 717-664-5238 or visit www.hessauctiongroup.com.

Owner Joe Sells grew up in nearby Pall Mall, Tennessee and always wanted to open a general store. His dream ultimately came true but the enterprise was not successful financially. He finally realized that he did not have anything unique to offer the many tourists that passed their way. And that's when a light went off in his head: to make and sell fudge. It worked! "Pig", a game that the folks there do to pass the time also helped. He's now living his dream!

Click on the You Tube link below to find out more about the Forbus General Store.

In this column are those sought-after items of desire that seem to be elusive. If you know where any of these items can be acquired or if you have one available, please click the link to reply directly to the seeker. To place a listing in this column, click here. There is no fee for AAAA members. Up to three listings per member are permitted.

Clover Farm Stores (Cleveland, OH headquarters). General store grocery and hardware items, any advertising, displays, signs, tins, boxes, pictures, etc. Anything related to Clover Farm Stores. Dave and Sally Coates, 765-586-9834, dbsjcoat@gmail.com

Early Mr. Peanut/Planters Peanut memorabilia. The older and rarer the better! Please contact at jcamelleri@gmail.com or 864-327-6485. 

Santa Claus bar soap. Call 602 689-7779 or send email to goodfinds31@yahoo.com

"You Pay" Spinners Wanted. Colorful, early, tin litho only. Also known as "Who Pays" Spinners, "Your Turn" Spinners, etc. Used in drinking establishments to determine who pays for the next round. Please contact plefkov@gmail.com.

In search of Raven's Horse, Cattle & Poultry Food poster. Last sold Showtime Auction, April 2013. Dimensions: 13 1/2 x 21 1/2. Motivated buyer. Please call Ken Opengart at 256-520-5211 or email at kenopengart@gmail.com. To see a photo of the poster, click here.

US cigarette boxes, packs and wrappers from 1870-1935 wanted. Please text or email any you might have available for sale. Jon Canfield, joncanfield@gmail.com, 917-841-0275.

Pre-1885 advertising items related to barbed wire and farm fences. I am interested in primary material. Let me know if you have any items including illustrated catalogs, wire company published newspapers, illustrated postal covers and letterheads, flyers, signs, salesman samples, patent models or anything else related to my specific wants. Larry W. Love, wirefence@att.net, 214-497-6787.

Bulldog tobacco oval-top tin. Convention Hall coffee tin (Ridenour-Baker Kansas City) green version. Big Horn 1 lb or 3 lb coffee tin.  Tuxedo tobacco sample pocket tin (top condition). scross1@cox.net.

Philip Morris Tin & Porcelain Advertising Signs, thermometers, door push signs. Excellent to mint condition preferred. Daryl Crawford (804) 721-7294 or email drc4@msn.com

Justrite Pet Foods. The Justrite Company General Office was located in Milwaukee WI. A National Account. Advertising, displays, signs, tins, boxes all with logo on it. Most would come from the 1930s through 1950s. Thanks for the help… Gordon Addington. To reply, click here.

Old Topper Brewery Calendar of the late 1940s featuring a pin up artist nude in large format wanted. Always seeking any Rochester Brewery memorabilia. John DeVolder 585-697-4047 or jcdvette@yahoo.com.

"Jenny" Genesee Brewing Company's girl of the 1950s. Seeking cardboard point of sale-and other items that feature Jenny, who had a ten-year run from 1953 to 1963. Also interested in any cardboard point of sale items from the 1930s through the 1950s from any of the Rochester Breweries. John DeVolder 585-697-4047 or jcdvette@yahoo.com.

Coca-Cola 24" button porcelain sign with bottle in center. Want several in as close to mint condition as possible. Call 336-970-9867.

Books on Oil & Gas Collectibles. Also looking for books on signs. Call 336-970-9867.

Yellow Kid wanted: 50 year collector looking for the unusual. Reply to: yellowkid@tds.net.

Pedal Cars: Photos, postcards, calendars, catalogs and advertising related to pedal cars. To reply, click here.

Beer cans, soda cans, beer and soda tin-over-cardboard signs, cork-backed bottle caps, key-wind coffee cans, quart oil cans. Please email Jeff Lebo at jefflebo@aol.com.

Pedal car related items. To reply, click here.

Matchbook holders. To know what these are, see my articles in Checkerboard

for Nov. 2020 and May 2021. I will consider all items, in any material from plastic to gold, and not necessarily with advertising. Email Andy at matchbookholder@yahoo.com.

Cigarette Packs. Advanced collector looking to purchase vintage packs. Please contact Dheeraj by email: DHEERAJ.KHIYTANI@GMAIL.COM.

Donald Duck Goyer Coffee Cans; One pound can & 3 oz sample size in good condition with lids. Please send email with photos & prices to Jessica_l_Upton@yahoo.com.

Morimura Brothers (Japanese import company operating in NYC from 1880-1941) advertising items wanted: trade cards, pamphlets, catalog pages, salesman sample pages, porcelain items with advertising. To reply email at victdelit@aol.com.

DeLaval Items and Farm Advertising Signs. Always looking for top quality and unique items. Contact Gregg Hillyer at hogs2gregg@aol.com.

Antique advertising pertaining to country store or drug store products or places. Especially those showing women or girls with the product or location shown. I would consider any  antique advertising (paper, cardboard & metal signs). Quality a plus! Dale Peterson at cpeters2@sbcglobal.net.

Unusual one pound peanut butter tins. Tin litho or paper label. To reply, click here.

Marshmallow Tins. Smaller than 5 Pound Size. To reply, click here.

American Cookie, Biscuit and Cracker Tins and Boxes. To reply, click here. 

Banjo related advertising wanted Pre-1940s. Long time collector buying banjo company signage, catalogs, billheads, periodicals, minstrel banjo items such as posters, broadsides, sheet music (pre-1870s) with illustrated banjo covers, early photographs showing banjo players (pre-1915). My main collecting interest is in 19th century material. To reply, click here.

"Antique American Medicine Bottles" by M. Knapp... soft cover book with price guide. Printed in 2012. Cemartinjr@comcast.net or 781-248-8620. Also, see my other want ad for Clarke’s ephemera and bottles.

Looking for 3 Vintage Tins. American Eagle "Oriental Mixture" tobacco (dimensions approx. 6.5" long, 2.75" wide, 1.5" tall); 1 Gal. Indian Head Hydraulic Brake Fluid; and Packham´s Caramel Toffee. Any offer is welcome and any condition considered. To reply, click here.

Morton Salt, older items, and also Pacific Coast Borax, especially a crate or box. Email pego1950@hotmail.com or call Peggy Dailey 612-522-9211.

Comic Book-Related Advertising Items: Must be from before 1980. To reply, click here.

Clarke’s Vegetable Sherry Wine Bitters, Sharon, MA & Rockland, ME: All sizes, variants, smooth/pontil base. Especially need labeled Clarke’s any size! Also, any Clarke’s ephemera…trade cards, almanacs, newspaper ads, etc. Charlie Martin Jr., 781-248-8620. Email: cemartinjr@comcast.net.

George Petty: Advanced collector looking for unique or rare items. Photo’s, store displays and non paper items. NO Esquire pages. Pete Perrault. To reply, click here or call (502) 290-7661.

Ice Cream Advertising: Mr. Ice Cream desires better graphic ice cream advertising including: postcards (Advertising and RPPC), trade cards, letterheads, billheads, booklets, poster stamps, blotters, magic lantern slides, pinbacks, watchfobs, and pocket mirrors. Allan Mellis, 1115 West Montana St. Chicago, Illinois 60614-2220. mellisfamily@rcn.com To reply, click here.

Stock food, poultry food, veterinary advertising wanted. Posters, medicine packages, give-aways. Email kenopengart@gmail.com or call (256) 520-5211.

Singer Sewhandy Model 20. Green-regular paint, not hammertone. To reply, click here.

National Biscuit Company, Nabisco, Uneeda Biscuit, Uneeda Bakers, Muth Bakery, NBC Bread toys, signage, tins, containers, displays, historical items. Please Email jbarney@ameritech.net or call (937) 205-2232.

Early Cigarette Rolling Papers: Pre-1940s - American, Zig Zag, Braunstein Freres, Bambino, and Ottoman papers wanted. To reply, click here.

Antique/Collectible Banking and Financial System "Giveaway" and advertising items. Specifically from Pennsylvania. Alarm devices and such. To reply, click here.

VITAMINS advertising, displays, signs, bottles, and anything related: Hadacol is an example. Most would come from the 1930s thru the 1970s. Also anything related to cod-liver oil and WEIGHT-LOSS, REDUCING, ANTI-FAT, and OBESITY ITEMS. To reply, click here.

Dwinell-Wright Co. Royal Ground Spice Cardboard Spice Boxes. One side displays horizontally. Approximately 3.75" by 2.25". Any type of spice is OK. To reply, click here.

ENSIGN Perfect and ENSIGN Perfection vertical pocket tobacco tins to enhance my collection. Feel free to contact me at 614-888-4619 or k8pyd@breezelineohio.net to see if you can help fill the voids.

Edmands Coffee Company, Edmands Tea Company, 1776 Coffee, American Beauty Tea, Japan Tea, Devonshire Tea, (imported by Edmands, Boston/Chicago): Any items such as tins, signs, paper, or anything else related to the Edmands family of companies in Boston is desired. To reply, click here.

The AAAA Checkerboard is a monthly e-newsletter that is made available to all AAAA members at no cost. The mission of the Checkerboard is to increase knowledge about antique and collectible advertising among AAAA members. The Checkerboard also provides news and updates about AAAA. It is produced each month with the exception of the four months per year when the award-winning PastTimes print newsletter is published. Paul Lefkovitz (plefkov@gmail.com) serves as the Editor of the AAAA Checkerboard. Copyright 2024, Antique Advertising Association of America.