David Beard Posts

Watson Silver and Lift Bridge Spoons

Ad for Watson Silver

As I read some of the magazines I purchased from the Duluth Public Library, I am impressed by a sense that the library bought magazines to suit the aspirations of the Zenith city. Magazines celebrating the fancy life might feel a little out of place in a public library today, but Duluth in the 1920s was a city that had some millionaires and wanted the world to think it had more.

We can see that in the ad above, taken from an interior design magazine, for Watson Silverware.

Record Collection from Gabriel’s

In the past, I’ve written about the used records, bound in old-school albums, I have found at Gabriel’s, the thrift-bookshop in Lakeside. Because the records are donated, they are a real crapshoot, as the ruffians say. Often they come from estates, from families that don’t want to sell things piecemeal and are grateful someone will just take the whole collection all off their hands.

Nostalgia for My Great-Grandparents’ Time: Cyclone Fence

A recent sale at the Duluth Public Library means that I picked up stacks of vintage magazines for cheap, and I’ve loved looking at some artful old advertisements. I especially love the ones that are in old, illustration style.

Historical Research by Accident: Nostalgic Newsstand Sale Adverts and Fisk Tire

Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines from the Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale.

Advertisements from the Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: Buying a Franklin

Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines from the Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale.

Advertisements from the Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: Almond Truffles

Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines from the Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale. This one is too much of stretch, maybe. Norris Candies was housed in Atlanta, Ga. I love the flapper art, the art deco (or is it art nouveau) style of the ad and the fashion.

If I wanted an almond truffle today, I would visit Hepzibah’s in Canal Park, Rocky Mountain, or Duluth Candy. In Superior, I would visit Sweeden Sweets. Did I miss any source?

Advertisements from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: Strathmore Paper

Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines from the Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale. The sale is in the rearview mirror, but the Library Sale will be here faster than you think.

Saturday at the Urban Farm was a blast

Northern Expressions Arts Collective leader paints cool rocks in the hot sun. 

I attended the event held Saturday at the Urban Farm at Lake Superior College. It was a blast, bringing together vistas from Eco3 and volunteers from Northern Expressions Arts Collective. NEAC is an amazing organization that blends creativity, community, nutrition, and health for families.

Previous coverage of this weekly event is wdio.com. The Eco3 Urban Farm was also very alive during Earth Week. Maybe I’ll see you there on a coming Saturday?

Advertisements from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: Sealex Linoleum Floors

The Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale was a source of many things to write about. Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines.

Two Harbors healthcare organization wins national attention

The Commonwealth Fund spotlights Two Harbors’ Wilderness Health in its recent feature on “How Regional Partnerships Bolster Rural Hospitals.”

Navigating at Home

Katya Gordon of Two Harbors is in the new Minnesota Women’s Press.

Advertisements from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: Frigidaire

The Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale was a source of many things to write about. Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines.

Advertisements from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: The Sportsman Magazine

Sportsman Magazine Ad

The Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale was a source of many things to write about.

Advertisements from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: To the Orient on Canadian Pacific

One of the cooler things about the adverts from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale are the ads for travel on the train. Before planes, before interstates, the train was ubiquitous for travel. I love this ad for “To the Orient on Canadian Pacific.”

Foundation seeks projects encouraging citizen involvement

It feels to me like there are organizations in Duluth well-poised for a project supported by the Herb Block Foundation. After all, we are home to the Civility Project. If there is an organization interested, I’m interested in helping — after all, it’s sponsored by a famous cartoonist.

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