Checkerboard

August 2024

• Successful 2024 AAAA Convention!
• Seminars
• Leadership
• Room Hopping
• Raffles & Games
• Convention Sponsors
• Stacy Wills Visit
• Fun Finds
• Acknowledgements
• Indy Antique Advertising Show
• Wanted Items

Editor's Comment: Consistent with our tradition, this issue of the Checkerboard and the upcoming September issue of PastTimes will both feature our annual convention that took place on July 17-20. However, please be assured that no photos will be duplicated and virtually all of the content will be unique to each issue.

A little over one year ago Marianne Wink and I were introduced to you as the 2024 AAAA Convention Co-Coordinators. Paul Lefkovitz had stepped down after managing ten conventions and the 2023 York event was his swan song. (Unfortunately, medical issues prevented Paul from being there so Bob Hunt filled in.) Do any of you remember the quarterback following Dan Marino? How does one follow a legend?

We changed the hotel contract to have one day of group activities. At York, Stacy Wills introduced himself to me and offered to open their home to AAAA. Slowly, things fell into place. The silent auction that had been a fixture of the convention fell by the wayside for a couple of reasons-the space that was required and the financial return to the club. (It may return one day!) When we had a question, Paul was there to answer. With our work completed it was off to Dublin, arriving Tuesday evening.

Past records indicated around 5 rooms would be reserved for Tuesday evening-we had 29. Members were scurrying around trying to find that bargain or a collection piece and most did! The convention was off to a good start.

With the hospitality room prepared the night before, we opened right after breakfast on Wednesday with most of the 100 registrants stopping in for their convention packet, extra refrigerator mirrors (provided by The Kovels' Antique Trader), a snack or two, or simply some conversation. By 5:00, the hotel was humming with room-to-room activity which continued all night. There was a buzz in the air!

Thursday began with the fantastic Embassy Suites breakfast, followed by a short AAAA business meeting. Dave DeLongchamp, who has attended every convention, spoke briefly about the earliest days of collecting. During his exploits through Pennsylvania and New Jersey, he discovered advertising collectors were, in his words, “NUTS” and he simply had to join!

Next came the first of the scheduled seminars on Political Advertising, which was presented by Jack Dixey. Jack filled the presentation with history and images of all things from Lincoln to Carter with a personal touch. Having attended two national political conventions, one for each side, Jack tried to convey the energy level of such an event: the size, the magnitude, the energy, the balloons blocking the big screen as they were released from above, and of course the “hawking of merchandise”, unseen from what is telecast. Jack concluded with a story of a little diner-ice cream stand in central New York for which he had composed a poem. Walking from table to table to leave a flyer promoting his upcoming show, Jack recited the somewhat lengthy poem—to everyone's delight. (The diner is still going, albeit with new ownership, and they still cherish Jack's poem.)

After breaking for a sandwich buffet lunch, the “Pepsi Boys” were on. Scott Kinzie who is president of the National Pepsi Collectors Club, began the talk with an image of Brad's drug store of the 1890s. “Uncle Dick” was pictured within that image-and lo and behold, Uncle Dick walked into the room promoting his Pepsi drink, handing out an original 1898 nickel to many in attendance. Of course, Jerry Avery, Scott’s co-presenter, was Uncle Dick, dressed in 1890's attire. (Uncle Dick was the first to promote Brad's drugstore drink.) Claiming that much of the information about Pepsi's origins is not correct with the misinformation coming from an earlier published book, the two set out to inform the audience of what they can document. From there, Scott and Jerry described the evolution of advertising through each decade, through two bankruptcies, all the way up to the current day. Images of rare early advertising, which contained the “single dot”, were shown and discussed, as well as the reproductions that are out there. Although the presentation was a lengthy two hours, this was a riveting talk on everything Pepsi.

At 11:00 on Thursday, the Treasures for Little Children's group invited our members to a seminar conducted by Connie Hove about Palmer Cox Brownies and the Lion Coffee advertising. This seminar was well-attended. At 5:00 on Friday, the Barber shop collectors invited everyone to their seminar on straight razors, presented by Robert Doyle.

The evening banquet concluded the very busy day. Stacy invited everyone to the Will's home the following day. After a very good hotel meal, we moved on to the raffle, with Bob Hunt calling out the winning tickets for an array of cash, advertising items, free hotel night, wine, and more. Lenny Kirby returned one more time, along with his partner in crime, Dave Delongchamp, to conduct the famous card game they have managed for so many years. This year, the last two standing split the pot.

Friday morning brought about the eagerly anticipated “At home with Stacy and Desiree Wills” event. After a short drive from the hotel, we arrived at their beautiful home. Opening the front door-WOW! Their three floors of superb museum-grade collections were all beautifully displayed. (See segment below and the feature article in the September issue of PastTimes for additional information and eye-popping photos.) 

Most of the members were already there when I arrived, conversing, browsing, sitting by the pool, enjoying the City Barbeque lunch. The hospitality extended by our hosts was second to none. Through it all, Stacy and “Des” conversed with everyone as if all were longtime friends. It has been said many times that collections are just “stuff”—it is the people and the friendships that make this collecting hobby what it is. AAAA is deeply indebted to Stacy and Des Wills for generously hosting this outstanding luncheon and tour. Thank you Stacy and Desiree!

We returned to the hotel for a few hours of additional room hopping, with the public invited and the last deals made. We can document over thirty walk-ins, but there were more. Three people joined AAAA at this time and a total of eight during the convention.

On Saturday morning, members conducted a final discussion about the convention and we said our goodbyes. The 2024 convention was over and, by all measures, it was successful. Marianne and I enjoyed the experience of being the co-chairs. Although I had run conventions before, Marianne had not and, at times, she found the job overwhelming. To be fair, she did all of the computer work so I can well understand. The most rewarding part of the whole experience was getting to know everyone, putting faces to names, and having conversations. Sad to say I did not have a chance talk to everyone.

The AAAA convention featured four quality seminars this year. Information and photos appear below.

"Political Advertising Through the Years", by presented Jack Dixey.

"Brad's Drink", presented by Scott Kinzie (Left) and Jerry Avery (right), in period costume.

"Palmer Cox Brownies and the Lion Coffee Company Premiums", presented by Connie Hove

"Straight Razors", presented by Robert Doyle.

Steve Lefkovitz, AAAA President, extends a warm and enthusiastic welcome to the attendees.

Convention Co-Coordinators John DeVolder and Marianne Wink hold the plaques of appreciation they were awarded.

Room hopping continued to be a favorite Convention event this year. Attendees scurried about among the 50 or more seller rooms at all hours to find elusive treasures to take home. The photos below represent only a small percentage of the items available for sale but attest to their quality, beauty, rarity, diversity, and desirability.

Another Convention tradition that continues to be popular is the raffle, accompanied by games. Generous Convention Sponsors and other donors provided the financial support for the raffle prizes. They are acknowledged in the section immediately below.

AAAA would like to extend its sincerest thanks to the following Convention Sponsors and Donors for their vital support of our Convention Raffles. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Readers: If you have the opportunity, please extend your support to them.

• Kovels Antique Trader: Four subscriptions plus refrigerator magnet giveaways
• Morphy Auctions: Cash Donation
• Chupp Auction Company: Cash Donation
• Lenny Kirby: Complete set of newsletters/pastimes
• John DeVolder: Electricity metal sign
• Susan Chapin: Early advertising books, newsletters, 3 AAAA convention cans
• Fred Dodge: Hi Plane pocket tobacco tin, Hickory pocket tobacco tin, McKesson's baby powder tin
• Steve Lefkovitz: Coca Cola bottle holder, J.C.Steven's wall match holder
• Glenda Raikes: Orchids to you deco mirror, Dentyne chewing gum decal glass
• Justin Nash (National Barber Shop and Shaving Collectibles Association): Two memberships

Once again, thanks to all of our Convention Sponsors and Donors!

A special treat that turned out to be the hit of the convention was a visit to the Stacy and Desiree Wills collection. This museum-quality array of exquisite collections featured gob-smacking examples of vintage advertising signage, gambling devices, antique lighting, and much, much more. Stacy and Des were the perfect hosts, informally discussing their acquisitions with visitors and making everybody feel welcome. They even provided a delicious lunch for almost 100 people, catered by City Barbeque. The gorgeous Wills home provided the perfect setting for a leisurely and yet electrifying experience. AAAA extends its deep thanks to the Wills for their gracious and generous hospitality. The upcoming September, 2024 issue of PastTimes will contain much more information and many photos of the Wills and their memorable collections.

Convention attendees with broad smiles on their faces, racing from selling room to selling room was a dead give-away. Lots of exciting purchases were taking place at the Convention! Some sellers even reported that they achieved their biggest sales totals EVER! A number of buyers, both member and non-member, posted their proud purchases on Facebook. Here are a few examples.

Steve Cross

Convention acquisition to match my wooden bucket… thanks to Al Craver.

Fred Dodge

Zach Green

Robert Ray

Various items picked up at Convention

New Kewpie Twins figure purchased at Convention

Kewpie Twins figure in its

new home

Ralph Tapp

Was able to Snag a few at the AAAA Show in Dublin, Ohio yesterday with Ken Hamilton. I was also very happy to meet (In Person) the following people: Steven Lefkovitz, Fred Dodge, Justin Nash, Hayley Devore and others. We had a great time, and I am so happy to be associated with such a fine group of Collectors.

Mark Weaver

We had many many volunteers approach us throughout the convention. Some provided their availability for much more than they were "assigned" for and many just stopped in the hospitality room just to see if we were in need of anything. Donna Haring offered me (Marianne) relief if I needed to do something and couldn't be at the table at time when I was alone. She had a room next to us so we chatted a lot, it was good to get to know her. 

So here is the list of the people we would like to acknowledge. Hopefully no one has been left out. There were many that would help in small ways who I do not know by name, such as the woman who helped with the raffle by holding the can of tickets to be drawn. Our thanks go to all!

John and Marianne

• The management and staff of the Embassy Suites who were all very friendly and helpful.
• Bob Hunt and Marianne Wink (Co-MCs of the raffle)
• Lenny Kirby (Card game host)
• Dave DeLongchamp (Lenny's right-hand man)
• Lawson Veasey (Raffle ticket sales)
• Wayne and Sherry Sharp (Raffle ticket sales)
• Mary and Dick Cousin (Public greeters)
• Fred Dodge (Very Helpful. Traveled to the Wills early on, local advertising, public greeter, photographer, and much more)
• Mark Weaver (Facebook promotion)
• Stacy and Desiree Wills (Graciously opening their home and generously providing lunch!)
• Scott Kinzie (Seminar Speaker)
• Jerry Avery Seminar Speaker)
• Jack Dixey (Seminar Speaker)
• Robert Doyle (Seminar Speaker)
• Connie Hove (Seminar Speaker)
• Steve Cross (Photography)
• Gordon Addington (Photography)
• Graniteware Collectors Group
• Treasures for Little Children
• National Barber Shop and Shaving Collectors Association
• Steve Lefkovitz (AAAA President)
• Paul Lefkovitz (Immediate-Past AAAA Convention Coordinator)
• All who attended the Convention, without whom there would be no convention!

The Indy Antique Advertising Show will return to the Boone County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Indiana on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. No early buyers. Damon Granger is the new owner of this show, which previously operated under the aegis of Morphy Auctions. Damon has been the promoter of his own spring Indoor Antique Advertising Show for several years. Now that Damon has acquired the Indy Antique Advertising Show, both shows will be unified under that banner and will operate on his successful one-day format. Admission will cost $10.00. This new iteration of two high-quality shows should be the "talk of the town" (meaning the entire country) and attract record attendance. Don't miss it!

Call 248-910-6765 or write to Damongranger@gmail.com for further details.

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.

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) any variation. Big Horn 1 lb or 3 lb coffee tin. 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.

Early tin signs lithographed by Tuchfarber, Wells and Hope, Worcester Sign Company, Sentenne and Green, etc. I can pay more for good condition, but would be interested in any condition. Don Lurito DRelington@aol.com also in the directory. 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.