The E of Collecting: Ephemera
Merriam Webster's online dictionary defines Ephemera as: 1.) something of no lasting significance —usually used in plural OR 2.) ephemera plural : paper items (as posters, broadsides, and tickets) that were originally meant to be discarded after use but have since become collectibles.
In the collecting world, the word Ephemera usually applies to items made of PAPER, because paper ages and disintegrates over time. There's lots of things that were originally not meant to be saved or collected and which have had lasting interest to collectors. Things like menus, matches, invitations, diplomas, certificates, postcards, envelopes, advertising brochures and pamphlets (recipe booklets for one), and magazines can be considered ephemera. Collecting ephemera can be fun, inexpensive and educational.
There are lots of items scattered all over OLA that fit into this category of collecting. Here are a few that grabbed my attention this morning.
Collecting Ephemera can provide hours of recreation! Collecting Ephemera can provide tons of knowledge. Follow your interests. Explore OLA's many categories for lots of ideas and collecting possibilities.
Ephemera can make inexpensive and thoughtful gifts (often, a small ad item can fit into a birthday, congratulations or holiday card).
I hope you have enjoyed reading about the Ephemera category of collecting.
Until next time, when I will write about the letter F and collecting,
Happy OLA Shopping!
