EttasEtceteras

‘My Baby Just-a Wrote Me a Letter’

Vintage Stationery

Source: Library of Congress, stationery section of Sosnick-Thalheimer, a department store in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Photographed by Raymond Loewy Associates on Feb. 2, 1950.

Source: http://www.BestClassicBands.com, The Box Tops (pictured) released “The Letter” in 1967. Joe Cocker’s 1970 cover version was his first Top 10 single.

Source: Etsy/ PrettyPaperPicnic

Source: HiBid/ American Auctions and Estate Sales LLC (West Des Moines, IA)

NOTE: Sellers/ businesses mentioned here are selected by me. They have something that interests me and, hopefully, interests my readers. Etta’s Etceteras does not accept requests to be featured and does not accept revenue from advertising, affiliate links, etc.

I’d be honored if you drop by my Etsy vintage goods shop at http://www.EttasEtceteras.Etsy.com.

As always, thanks for reading.

George Washington Used Invisible Ink

Collectible Letters…or Not

Source: http://www.WorthPoint.com, letter from George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, Sept. 18, 1787, one day after the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. The framed 8 1/2″ × 7 1/8″ document sold for $2,389,500 on Nov. 15, 2022. (Definitely not written with invisible ink.)

Source: Etsy/ MosswellMarket

Source: Etsy/ nicolewatsonart

Source: HiBid/ Bostwick Auctions (Candor, NY)

Source: HiBid/ Bostwick Auctions (Candor, NY)

Source: HiBid/ Hradil Auction Company (Sealy, TX)

I’d be honored if you drop by my Etsy vintage goods shop at http://www.EttasEtceteras.Etsy.com.

As always, thanks for reading.

‘I Wouldn’t Take Nothing to Leave Out of Here’

Cherokee Art

Source: http://www.WorthPoint.com, Amanda Swimmer (1921-2018), member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, was a self-taught potter who crafted by hand rather than using a potter’s wheel. She was born in and died in Big Cove, North Carolina.

Source: HiBid/ B. Langston (Jacksonville, FL)

Source: HiBid/ B. Langston (Jacksonville, FL)

Source: Etsy/ CsherylsCloset

Source: Etsy/ NativeLadyz

Source: Etsy/ NativeLadyz

I’d be honored if you drop by my Etsy vintage goods shop at http://www.EttasEtceteras.Etsy.com.

As always, thanks for reading.

Snowflake Kaleidoscope, Buddy Lee Doll, Shawnee Puss ‘n’ Boots….

Auction of the Weekend Feb. 22

Lot #72, vintage Steven kaleidoscope

Perhaps $300+ for Buddy Lee? New one on me.

While researching the auction of the weekend, I was drawn to this happy-looking guy. Turns out it’s Buddy Lee, a marketing/ advertising doll for Lee Jeans. I don’t know the age of this one, but the Buddy Lee character dolls were manufactured 1920-1963.

According to http://www.BargainJohn.com, the first dolls were made of plaster. They were plastic after the late 1940s. I found resale prices ranging $300-$700.

HINT: Look for his hat band. Buddy Lee dolls with the original hat band fetch more.

As of press time, the high bid on this one is $16 with the next bid at $18.

Buddy Lee is one of 266 lots offered for sale by Wagenson Auction Service LLC in Mauston, WI. The auction starts closing Sunday, Feb. 22, at 4:00 pm. Broker’s premium is 15%.

All photos in this post are from HiBid/ Wagenson Auction Service LLC.

Good luck if you decide to bid!

Lot #71, vintage “Buddy Lee” advertising doll for Lee Jeans

Lot #130, vintage Shawnee Puss ‘n’ Boots salt and pepper shaker set (close-up, part of multi-item lot)

Lot #130, multi-item lot including vintage Shawnee Puss ‘n’ Boots salt and pepper shaker set

I’d be honored if you drop by my Etsy vintage goods shop at http://www.EttasEtceteras.Etsy.com.

As always, thanks for reading.

Elvis on the Bigger Screen

‘EPiC’ Concert Documentary at IMAX Theaters Starting Feb. 20

Source: http://www.EpicMovie.film, the documentary ‘EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert’ opens Feb. 20 at IMAX theaters then at other theaters Feb. 27.

Source: Etsy/ TheElvisLady2345

Source: HiBid/ Maverick 13 Auctions (Hot Springs, SD)

I’d be honored if you drop by my Etsy vintage goods shop at http://www.EttasEtceteras.Etsy.com.

As always, thanks for reading.

Retro Kitchen

Spearmint Selected as KitchenAid’s Color of the Year 2026

Source: http://www.Housewares.org, from Life Magazine by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt. KitchenAid first introduced stand mixer colors at the 1955 Atlantic City Housewares Show. (NOTE: Alfred Einenstaedt was the photographer who took the famous 1945 V-J Day Times Square shot of the U.S. Navy sailor kissing a random lady. Yes, that photo.)

Source: http://www.KitchenAid.com

Source: Etsy/ OuterDunes

Source: HiBid/ Backwoods Auction & Artifacts LLC (Altavista, VA)

I’d be honored if you drop by my Etsy vintage goods shop at http://www.EttasEtceteras.Etsy.com.

As always, thanks for reading.

Year of the Fire Horse Begins Today

Last Time Was in 1966

Source: Etta’s Etceteras, February 2026

Source: Etta’s Etceteras, February 2026

Source: Etsy/ IvoryTowerStationery

Source: Etsy/ IvoryTowerStationery

Source: HiBid/ Sohn &Associates LTD (Evansville, IN)

Source: HiBid/ Denise Ryan Auction Company (Saxtons River, VT)

Source: HiBid/ Denise Ryan Auction Company (Saxtons River, VT)

I’d be honored if you drop by my Etsy vintage goods shop at http://www.EttasEtceteras.Etsy.com.

As always, thanks for reading.

No More New Paper Sewing Patterns?

Australia’s Simplicity McCall’s Closing Operations

Source: Library of Congress, “Advertisement for Singer sewing machines showing many small scenes (perhaps also trade cards) of people in national costume using treadle machines,” J. Ottmann Lith. Co., Puck Building, New York, ca. 1892.

Source: Etsy/ jeannelouisepeace

Source: Etsy/ jeannelouisepeace

Source: HiBid/ Tri-State Auctions (Joplin, MO)

Source: HiBid/ Zalesky Realty & Auction LLC (Milligan, NE)

Source: HiBid/ Wehrly’s Auction Service Inc. (Glen Rock, PA)

I’d be honored if you drop by my Etsy vintage goods shop at http://www.EttasEtceteras.Etsy.com.

As always, thanks for reading.

Hitting the Baby Jackpot

Happy Birthday, Mom

Source: Etta’s Etceteras, February 2026

During the 13 years that she drove me to and from school, Mom was never late picking me up. Not once.

I saw other kids waiting for their mothers (this was the 70s, so it was always moms), but there was mine parked on a quiet side street beside my elementary school. Usually, she was reading a book.

She also was never late dropping me off for school or extracurriculars like band practice.

I always tell folks that I hit the baby jackpot with my parents. If I’d placed an order for “wonderful parents,” I couldn’t have dreamed up a mom and dad better than mine.

Fortunate is an understatement.

Today would have been Mom’s 82nd birthday.

Here are two photos of her and Dad, plus a pic of the flower bed I know she’d recognize.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom. I love you.

Source: Etta’s Etceteras, February 2026

Source: Etta’s Etceteras, February 2026

Today, I’m working on a special project in memory of Mom. Regular posts resume tomorrow.

Hearts, Pansies and Pillowcases

Valentine’s Day 2026

Source: http://www.Dreamstime.com (photo), “According to folklore, pansies will thrive if a group of them are planted in the shape of a heart,” The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Feb. 7, 2026.

Source: Etsy/ JuanasChucherias

Source: HiBid/ Modest Lamb Estate Sales (Council Bluffs, IA)

I’d be honored if you drop by my Etsy vintage goods shop at http://www.EttasEtceteras.Etsy.com.

As always, thanks for reading.