The Escape and Capture of Old Paper: The Urban Archeologist

The Urban Archeologist is written by Greg Van Antwerp.

I love ephemera, information printed on paper that was created with the intent that it would only be temporary. Thanks to our innate ability to see value in everything, much of that which was supposed to be temporary is still around today.

I sometimes view old paper as prisoners who managed to escape their time period in the cleverest ways. There is nothing like opening a book to find an advertising card used as a bookmark, or newspapers revealed in a wall disguised as insulation.

If I were a piece of paper, I would do the same thing. Rather than dread the fear of a garbage can or fireplace. I would spend my days plotting an escape. Then, while no one was looking, slip behind a desk drawer, or jump between the wall and an oversized dresser to wait out the adventurous grasp of someone who would respect my successful escape. Ahh! To be held on a pedestal, or scanner, photographed and copied, distributed and published again –even at the risk of being “framed”- immortality would be mine.  

Some great examples of ephemera are the ads in old magazines. If your neck muscles needs a good stretch but you don’t like to exercise, I have the perfect solution.  Pick up a magazine from the 1940’s and begin peeling away page after page. I promise it won’t be long before you find your neck and your eyebrows twisting sideways and ratcheting up and down, respectively.

If you want see how hickory can support a bust line, or how native Americans should not be portrayed, even during wartime, take a look at some products that didn’t outlast their paper promotions by clicking here.