I have been seeing vintage maps all over the design blogosphere these days. Designsponge recently did a piece on DIY with maps. You can check it out here.
Here are some photos from their site and if you need some supplies for your crafting, I have some lots of school maps for sale on etsy that are inexpensive and can be cut up, framed or altered as you see fit. See them in my etsy shop
Also, keep an eye out for my new specialty shop Old School Maps. It will be up and open for business shortly.
I have been sifting through my vast stores of old sheet music. I am always so charmed by the sweet and clever covers. Here are a few of my favorites. Any of these would make an endearing gift for Valentine's Day. Some even feature adorable ukelele parts.
XOXOXO
Among my favorite educational maps and charts are those that are "slated" or have a blackboard surface. They are often referred to as chalk plates. These were designed to be written on in chalk by the instructor and wiped clean with a damp cloth. The graphics were usually very simple and clear- often just an outline. The simplicity of these maps and charts can be very artful and interesting. Chalk plates are relatively rare and difficult to find. Many are worn and cracked from being written on and wiped off countless times in the classroom.
Pictured below are a few examples from my collection:
I was browsing one of my favorite apparel sites- Mod Cloth- and happened on this adorable wall clock.
You can click on the link below for more info:
Color Blindness Chart Clock at Mod Cloth
But, this clock reminded me of some interesting color blindness charts that I will be selling at the flea. They were produced by an inventive optometrist Israel Dvorine in the 1940s to test aviators and recruits during WWII.Until this time, there were similar charts made in Japan to test colorblindness but they were difficult to obtain and reproduce. If you would like to read more about Dvorine and his charts you can click here for a lengthy and technically challenging article.
In the same vein, I have some fascinating stereoscopic charts by Dvorine for testing other vision irregularities.
I adore colorful old lithographed labels- such little graphic gems. One of my favorite categories is broom labels. These were the labels (usually about 3" x 5") that were affixed to straw brooms. You don't see too many around these days- as they wore off or were removed with the packaging. The ones that I have are "new old stock" or "dead stock," meaning that they were printed in the period but unused.
Here are a few of my favorite examples from my inventory:
Are you done with your Christmas shopping yet? Us neither. Fear not though, in preparation for the upcoming holidays, we've added extra dates for the Flea! Come by this Friday (12/16) or Wednesday (12/21) and Thursday (12/22) next week for all the flea goodness without the weekend crowds. We're sure you'll find that perfect gift.
We're open:
Friday (12/16), 2pm-9pm
Sat+Sun (12/17-18), 10am to 5pm
Wed+Thur (12/21-22), 2pm-9pm
See you there!
Check out my etsy shop for some new listings of vintage maps such as this one above. Very reasonable prices and economical shipping. Or contact me to see a wider selection at my Brooklyn studio.
I am bringing a nice selection of old school maps and charts to the Brooklyn Flea market at the bank this weekend. One would make a large-scale spectacular gift for a loved one.
