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Vintage Ephemera – A Rainy Day

Today, I have something that I’ve been holding on to for a while.   I found this piece of vintage ephemera inside one of my grandmother’s books while rummaging through my antique trunk.  I immediately fell in love and knew it was something I wanted to share with you!

Ephemera - Old photos, report card, letters, and more

What is Ephemera?

But, first – have you heard of the term ephemera?   Vintage ephemera are paper items that were meant to be discarded after use (like a movie ticket or newspaper clipping), but were saved and some are collectible.  I have quite a bit of vintage ephemera because my mother kept these family mementos in hopes that future generations would also treasure them!  I have old report cards from the early 1900’s, old letters from my grandparents when they were courting, school photos from a one room schoolhouse, and more.    

Vintage Ephemera - Old Cards and Photo

All of these family treasures are stored in the old trunk that belonged to my grandparents.  And, on one rainy day a few years ago, I found this little newspaper clipping tucked inside one of the old books in the trunk.  I immediately fell in love with it!  And, I just had to share it with you!

Vintage Ephemera - Old Poem "A Rainy Day"

A Rainy Day – by Augusta Wall

I

Somehow it always seems to me

A rainy day is good to be —

A day when there is naught to do

But rummage one’s own home-place through,

Attic to cellar –searching away

For half-lost things on a rainy day.

 

II

In trunks with locks covered with rust

We delve with vim in grime and dust,

Elate, when lo!  we run across

Scissors or thimble — some like loss —

And letters, too, hid in old books,

Or closeted in cobwebbed nooks.

 

III

The old wardrobe, now dim-secluded,

Creaks its doors when’er intruded,

For it holds what grandmother wore —

The wedding-gown, gloves, ancient store —

Head-dress, mantilla, a tilting hoop-skirt —

All, with grandfather’s lace-ruffled shirt.

 

IV

Long have they lain there — relics of old!

Forgotten?  And yet each silken fold

Once so treasured and safe put away

From prying eyes — for this rainy day!

So gently we muse and wonder how,

From rummaging on a rainy day.

 

V

And somehow it always seems to me

That these rainy days are good to be —

To us child-women are treasure-troves

Of vanished dreams — of olden loves

When naught there is to hinder our way

From rummaging on a rainy day.

 

Vintage Watch and Old Letter
 
I know this isn’t my typical decorating or DIY post, but I hope that you enjoyed reading this little poem from the past!    But, if you’re looking for decor, check out the summer home tours that were shared this week!  You can find the entire tour schedule HERE.  And, if you love vintage ephemera, my friend, Karen – The Graphics Fairy, has a wonderful collection that she shares on her blog HERE.  All of the images are FREE to download and print!  Her blog is a wonderful source that I frequent often!  

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Monday 5th of August 2019

[…] might also like these posts: Vintage Ephemera – A Rainy Day Vintage Bird Cage Styled for Summer How Old is Your Vintage Mason […]

Pat

Tuesday 18th of June 2019

Doreen, I just received a bag full of Eastern Star jewelry. After reading your post, I am being inspired to create something unique to showcase these religious Order relics. Thank you for always inspiring! Pat

Linda P

Saturday 15th of June 2019

Lovely poem! I'm going to print it and put it in the box with my wedding dress.. a surprise for someone... someday... thank you!

Loryl

Friday 14th of June 2019

I’m taking a class tomorrow on making a “Junk Journal” using all of this kind of material. It will be great to have a place to put and preserve it all.

Shelly

Friday 14th of June 2019

Such a wonderful thing to share with us! Thank you! I have so many things from my family on both sides. I was unable to have children, therefore, no grandchildren. My only sibling has passed and he did not have children. I am so afraid all these treasures will be thrown away when I die, never to be seen again. I am hoping my cousins three girls might save some of it, but they show no interest yet. The oldest is thirty and the youngest is sixteen, so hopefully they will come to value family just before it's too late. Blessings