Johnny's Box Part III: A bit of everything

Johnny packed a lot of interesting things into that box. There was a whole lot more than just matchbooks and stamps. All of this stuff was a lot of fun to go through, and I'm happy to add these to my "old stuff" collection. However, I would also like to pay it forward and offer some of these items to bloggers who might also get a lot of enjoyment from some of these things.

There was a lot of bank-related ephemera in the box (as well as a lot of bank matchbooks). It's certainly a reminder of how frequently one had to go to the bank in the pre-internet days. I haven't been inside one in years, everything is online now. These envelopes from a local Georgia bank cover most of the months of 1978. There were a few dupes, so happy to pass them along to someone who might be interested in one or more.

Save your dimes in the Pocket Pig Coin Saver! That's a pre-Roosevelt dime on the cover, but I don't think this item is that old, probably 1950s or 1960s. Definitely a keeper.

This bank pouch is pretty cool. Some coin collectors also collect these; if you are one, happy to pass this along.

Maybe this should have gone with the stamps post. First day of issue envelope for the United States Post Office. Hard to believe that the post office as we know it is barely 50 years old.

New portable tape recorder! A brief internet search indicates these came out around 1965. No cassette tapes then, this was reel-to-reel.

This was apparently used to clean parts of telephone switchboards. The zip code dates it no earlier than mid-60s, but I'm guessing it's within 10 years of that time.

Any beer ephemera collectors out there? This is a coin bank in the shape of a Pabst Blue Ribbon can. Might fit into someone's collection, but note the bottom, it is pretty rusted.

The Upper Room is a Christian daily devotional magazine distributed to the Armed Forces and other organizations. One of these is from 1945, the other from 1961. It's always cool to get old magazines, but I know there are some bloggers for whom their religion is an important part of their lives, and would appreciate the content of these more than I would. Let me know in the comments or an email if you'd like either or both.

American Legion membership cards, 1942 and 1943. I've digitally blanked out the name.

Here is an envelope that would have come with some developed photographs. Hard to say for sure but it appears that the date is 1945.

This probably isn't that old. No area code so maybe 1970s or 1980s. Whoever owned this didn't get very far on their way to that night's stay in the honeymoon suite. Googled the place and all the links talk about how haunted this house is, apparently a hotbed of paranormal activity if you believe that. Maybe that's why this ticket didn't end up getting much use. It's not an inn anymore, so too late to keep adding to it, but maybe someone collects haunted house memorabilia?

I doubt this plastic figurine is very old. I'd guess 1970s or 1980s at earliest. Tried looking it up, you might be surprised how much Mr. Peanut merchandise is out there. Fit anyone's collection?

This was one of the coolest things in the box. It was actually in the bag with the stamps. It is a 1953 letter from Harilela's Emporium in Hong Kong.

Hari Harilela moved from India to Canton in 1930 and eventually started a business in Hong Kong. According to Wikipedia, he pioneered the idea of supplying custom-made suits by mail order. This letter is a receipt of payment - $34.50 in 1953 would be the equivalent of $383.52 today. Somebody ordered an expensive suit! (Or maybe a few cheaper suits). I am assuming that the "Harry Harilela" who signed this letter is the same as Hari Harilela, who a few years later diversified into real estate and hotel holdings, eventually becoming the richest Indian in Hong Kong, and served in a variety of public positions including Hong Kong Affairs Advisor to the Government of the People's Republic of China in the 1990s.

This one is probably my favorite, though. Somehow John's uncle had a January 1949 calendar issued by a van company based in the Bronx. Very exciting to get some local (to me) history. Looks like this business was around until at least the 1960s. That location, now a public parking lot, is less than a mile from Yankee Stadium.