Vintage ephemera - from the Café archives

Sometimes I see something from the archives that I really want to republish - today's post is from a few months back - Here are a few more wonderful examples from Sheaff Ephemera that have been haunting me for the past week. Enjoy . . .

Wallflowers

Look how easy it is to make a repeat pattern with Laura Worthington's Wallflowers font from Myfonts. Easy peasy!

Benefit Boots.

Check out this lovely lithographed tin from England, turn of the last century. I can't believe what good condition it's in. fabulous typography, design and colour - it doesn't get much better than this. From Olde Tyme Notions. And it can be yours for $26.50 - seems like a good deal!

Wake up!

Just a little eye candy to wake up the old eye balls after a few days off! These beauties are available form Arriba Chica.

All images from Arriba Chica

Ebay score - the Spotter box

It's here! The amazing old cigar box I bought on Ebay a couple of weeks ago. This is some of the best Vintage type I've seen in this western style. It's so totally Deadwood don't you think? I can just see Mr Swearingen with a box of these Spotter Cigars on his desk. I didn't realize when I bid on it that it had such great gold type on the inside of the lid too. I am just thrilled with this box! So for $5 I got this chest, a pair of bronze, vintage, cowboy bookends, a cigar box and a cow :-)

Found - Delicious Industries

I think if you are a regular here at The Cafe you probably have a leaning towards vintage type and imagery - so have I got a blog for you - Delicious Industries. Delicious Industries is an independent design studio in Brighton England and this is their scrapbook of inspiration and reference - what a find, I think you will love their good taste and eclectic vision . . . .

Found - vintage wooden box with great type

I bought this box on Ebay yesterday. I'm quite excited to get it. I presume it's a cigar box (á la Deadwood, wouldn't you say?) The type is fabulous and, inside, the type is gold. I will steam the lid to flatten it out and it will hold lots of vintage treasures in no time.

I have a slightly similar box, below, that I love - even though the vintage type is upside down. It's quite ratty and old but I love the dovetailed corners and the colour of the wood. The little leather strap and nail hold it closed. It's stuffed to the gills with vintage postcards.

Inspiration - framed book covers

Did you see this great post by Esta Sketch at Apartment Therapy yesterday on framing your fave vintage books - really nice!

Inspiration

Thanks to one of our readers, Simon, I have something really special to show you this morning. Check out these long lost posters hidden in a disused tube tunnel at Notting Hill Gate in London. They are fabulous. 1956 - 1959. I especially love the River Thames poster, last picture. Imagine switching on a flickering light and finding these? They are apparently going to stay right where they are! Thanks Simon!

All pictures from London Underground.

Inspiration | Hand painted signage

This hand painted type is on a shutter on the outside of a cafe in France. The guilded trompe l'oeil trim is hand painted too. I have many photographs of this cafe - the signage is so beautiful. Type setters and sign painters were considered skilled artists in their time.

Here's another sign from the same cafe this time it is a mosaic! 

Only in France would they go to so much trouble to advertise hot chocolate!