Featured Huge lot of dance cards 1915-1919 and 1938-1940

Discussion in 'Ephemera and Photographs' started by Lucille.b, Nov 7, 2018.

  1. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Got these at an estate sale two weekends ago. They were all in one box and sold for a low single price.

    Was thinking it would just be fun looking through, and has been. One card seems to be stamped older than the rest: "1890". Could it be that old?

    I had a couple of general questions. Was thinking of just selling the older ones in a single lot and later ones in a second lot. I suppose I might make more separating into the type of sorority or fraternity (I know zip about either), but seems like more work than I would want. Is that a mistake not to separate?

    So a bit of a show and tell, plus is that one card really 19c?

    The older ones:

    sor3.jpg

    Also from the older pile, kind of a fun Christmas one:

    sor4.jpg

    sor5.jpg

    Unsorted, but these are the 1938-1940: sor3b.jpg

    Finally the one stamped 1890 (or maybe 1898). It has this pull out almost "laminated" feeling section. Didn't know if that meant it was newer, maybe some kind of 19C party they were having?

    sor6.jpg


    sor7.jpg

    sor8.jpg

    sor99.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. sabre123

    sabre123 Well-Known Member

    I don't see a reason why it would not be 1890.

    I like the theme, "BOWERY BRAWL" and, "FRAMED BY THE MONROE STREET GANG"

    Also,"NO TAGGING" Probably had their share of problems with guys cutting in on other guys.

    How about the bouncers?...Mr. and Mrs. In case the chicks got out of line, the wife would toss them out.

    Last name, "Schmuck"

    On a side note, I'm always drawn to the graphic design styles of printed material, pre 1970s.

    I'd probably try and sell the lot if they were mine.
     
  3. Pat P

    Pat P Well-Known Member

    I don't have experience with dance cards, but have sold a lot of 19th century paper items. Since it's marked 1898 (which is what it looks like to me), I don't think there's any reason to doubt that it's the publication date.

    There are Santa Claus collectors, so that card might sell for a lot more than the others and be worth selling alone.
     
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  4. Pat P

    Pat P Well-Known Member

    Also, although there may also be dance card collectors, I know there are collectors who buy paper items related to a location or place, like cities, towns, schools, sororities, fraternities, etc.

    So for a fixed price listing, grouping items that way and using relevant keywords might yield faster sales.
     
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  5. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    The older ones seem to be all from Illinois -- will put that in.

    Just sorted sold dance cards, highest first.

    Good heavens, check out this sold Halloween one. This was an old dance card turned into a birthday invite. Nothing else sold remotely this high:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Halloween-Dance-Program-Card-Witch-Black-Cat-Bat-/263990543644?hash=item3d7710051c:g:NNgAAOSwETJbw~HV&nma=true&si=eohoCQZ6ujrNljwKDKiLMVH7%2FZU%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

    (Be sure to click on "view original item", because Ebay might bring you to an unsold listing.)
     
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  6. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Very beautiful dance cards!
     
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  7. Pat P

    Pat P Well-Known Member

    Wow. I knew Halloween items are popular, but didn't know *that* popular!
     
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  8. pearlsnblume

    pearlsnblume Well-Known Member

    Holy Moley.
     
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  9. sabre123

    sabre123 Well-Known Member

    If you've got the desire, time, and patience, Split them up!

    What's the one with the skull and crescent moon? Does it have any other cool illustrations on it?
     
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  10. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    The 1890s card has Greek letters Sigma Phi Epsilon at the top. I found that the current fraternity with that name was founded in the early 20th century. But perhaps there was an earlier organization with that name.
     
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  11. yourturntoloveit

    yourturntoloveit Well-Known Member

    I chuckled at the use of the word "Bouncers" over the names of "Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Baker" and "Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Willis" on the invitation. ;)
     
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  12. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    That's a good observation. It is the only card in the lot that wasn't 1915-1919 or 1938-1941 so wondered about it. I'll do some more checking.

    After seeing that Halloween one sold on Ebay, you can believe I made a total beeline for the skull and crescent one. But it has nothing to do with Halloween, though. Did a quick google search, some kind of society with in the fraternity.

    I know that splitting up would yield a better return, but I'm way to busy/lazy to do that. Just want them sold and out to someone who will enjoy them.

    I should post another pic of the later ones. Some crazy covers in those.
     
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  13. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Getting ready to list these. I don't think they will sell too high, but hopefully someone who collects this kind of thing will be interested.

    Here are the set from 1938-1940.

    frat3.jpg frat77.jpg frat8.jpg frat9.jpg frat99.jpg frat999.jpg frat9999.jpg
     
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  14. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    3BEB7850-3CFE-4F66-B163-AD38C0E34C41.jpeg @Lucille.b, what else, if anything is on this one?
     
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  15. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    I was going to ask about that one too! Great minds, INH!
     
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  16. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    :playful:
     
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  17. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Inside:

    The Cadet Officers club of the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College presents its seventeenth annual Military Ball. 1939.
     
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  18. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    It might have a modest value above the others, and a different collector interest. But I don’t sell so I can’t advise to list separately, maybe someone else may know if it would be worthwhile. :)
     
  19. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Thanks. I'll do a quick look.

    Probably just going to include in the lot if nothing too special- was tedious even listing these as a lot, lol, and not anxious to redo the photos. Although always happy to know about something that I might have missed value wise, so many thanks INH and Bakers. :kiss:

    Took me over an hour an a half (not including photo taking) to list just in two lots in a half--assed job. Did a little more with the two individual cards -- the Santa and the possible older card. And thinking they may only go for $14.99 for each set -- so probably paying myself minimum wage from 1980 when all is said an done, lol. Well, we'll see, would love to be surprised. Tomorrow they will be on my alternative Ebay account. (Meowantiques)
     
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