Books on Collecting Ephemera

Hello,
I am brand new to this forum.
Looks like you people know your stuff. I would like to become more knowledgeable about ephemera. I am particulary interested in learning to be able to decipher the age of paper goods for myself....I would like to start a collection of hand written goods that I can pass onto my daughter that will increase in value. Cursive writing is no longer being taught and I foresee value in these items...I just do not know where to begin the journey of educating myself.
I would greatly appreciate reading some books by highly respected experts in the field.
Can anyone please recommend some top notch books for a newbie?
Thank you in advance.

Kindly,
ATB

 

Welcome
This should prove to be an interesting topic.
Paper is such a diverse area. Each area is sort of specific to itself. Books, maps, advertising, stock certificates, autographs, postcards, photographs and more.

If interested in paper itself, then maybe start with the history of bookmaking and papers used there.

 

Oh.
Geesh...I already see, from your reply, that this is indeed a very diverse topic.
I will try to be more specific about what I'm interested in learning about today.
Tomorrow that's going to change after I learn a bit more and go running off in another direction
Ok...so...today I am interested in collecting hand written letters.
I find that hand writing can be so beautiful, the words so haunting and that glimpse into the past is breathtaking.
I thought that if I could accurately age the paper that the words were written on then I would be able to date the letter. I see a great many letters that dealers have for sale but not knowing for myself what is authentic and what isn't, keeps me from buying anything at all.
Oh boy....this is going to be a fun learning curve
Thank you for your speedy response.

Kindly,
ATB

 

Welcome!
Many of us here like paper so this will be an informative and fun thread to watch.

 

Before you start, you need knowledge of what writing paper was made from, and how exactly is the best way to conserve each type .
Once you get to purchasing....you can't just put the paper in a baggie in a shoe box...

 

I've been picking up folders made by ART PROFOLIO to keep some of my paper in.
~
http://artprofolio.com/

 

Here we go, Komokwa is starting things already!
Now I'm off to snoop around the www to learn about different types of paper are made from and how to conserve them.
Excellent starting point.
Thank you

 

ATB, I have never read this booklet but found it through a search and thought it might interest you. Several listed here:
https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/title/collect-autograph-letters-manuscripts/

Note that it is only 10 pages long, based on a talk somebody gave.

 

Figtree3,
WOW!
That is extremely kind of you to do a search and post the link
Thank you!
I was on AbeBooks today myself, searching for a beginning to my new journey.
It is very easy to get sidetracked and skip off in a new direction...fell in love with the idea of rare book collecting, postcards and those pretty calling cards.
Ephemera is a difficult area to find a niche in because there is so much to fall in love with.

 

Indeed.
I have...or is it now...had.... planned to save up things and turn those $ into valuable autographs.
Obviously much smaller items.
This plan began when I stumbled over a signed Hank Williams Sr. photo.
It's worth a lot.

 

It is very easy to get sidetracked and skip off in a new direction...fell in love with the idea of rare book collecting, postcards and those pretty calling cards.
Ephemera is a difficult area to find a niche in because there is so much to fall in love with.

Oh, ATB, don't I know it! I have zillions of different pieces of ephemera... Photos... trading cards... postcards... booklets... brochures... and more - and more - and more.

At one point, I just decided to focus on a few things:

1) My family name (it's one of those Mayflower-type names, and almost EVERYONE in the US with my surname is related...)
2) The town where I grew up (much colonial history...)
3) The schools & colleges I attended (oh, lord...)
4) Places I've visited. (Unfortunately, this one is the kicker... I've traveled a fair amount in my life.)

The real problem in collecting these things is that there is so much really cool stuff out there.

No matter which direction finally "gets" you, you're going to have to narrow things down!

(Incidentally, I want to thank you for keeping for posterity whatever pieces of history you decide to collect!)