I recently acquired ---for eventual resale right here on eBay---a little 19th century novel by the once rather popular Bertha M. Clay, a novel with the irresistible title of  "A Woman's Temptation"  This copy was published by The John W. Lovell Company of New York, a firm which seems to have made a bit of additional revenue by including an ad or two at the back of the book.

And it's one of the ads that has caught my attention tonight:

Yes, it appears that Crosby's Vitalized Phos - Phites can help you in a huge variety of ways! One even wonders if it wasn't a precurser to Viagra......note that it promises "To restore lost powers and abilities!"

What, you may ask, were the  ingredients in this remarkable mostrum? Well, it was "Composed of the Nerve - Giving Principles of the Ox Brain and the Embryo of the Wheat and Oat."

Of course,  the product is not available today. So, you'll have to find other ways to "develop good teeth, glossy hair, clear skin, handsome nails", and to "strengthen the intellect" as well as "repair the nerves that have been enfeebled by worry, depression, anxiety or deep grief."

Or I suppose you could just mix up a bowl of ox brains and some wheat and oat embryos, maybe add some raisins or berries.....Mmmmmmmmmm, good!

Every now and then I find myself looking at an old photo and thinking "Hey, he (or she) reminds me of......" You know, someone famous, or maybe someone you used to know.

Anyway, here's a real photo postcard picture taken in 1909. This guy reminds me of someone, an actor.....but before I say who he reminds me of, I wonder if he reminds YOU of anyone?

I never cease to be amazed at the breadth of knowledge ebayers possess. Here's an example: I recently posted a query on the "Historical Memorabilia"  Discussion Board:

"This is a neat old, unused real photo postcard dating back to 1907 - 1914 judging by the velox border on the back.

However, I have no idea where this is...and my knowledge of Asian architecture is rather small.

ANY help would be appreciated!"



Now, I had no idea whether this was--- in Japan, China, or ?....but I soon had a reply --- from astynax77--- that let me know just exactly where this picture was taken: The Temple of Heaven,  Beijing (formerly Peking) China. A link to a website about the Temple was even provided.I think it's not only great that so many ebayers are not only knowledgeable, but so willing to share their knowledge with others!

Ah, how times have changed! Here's an article I stumbled upon in a January 22, 1920 newspaper. Nine thousand miles.....gas, oil and repairs totalling $127.37.... :

Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh and Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong must have had some pretty vivid memories of that trip! From Ames Iowa , a 9,000 mile trip through Sioux City, Rapid City, Wind Cave, Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park and 296 towns or cities ---- I wonder if , even today, there is an old photo album somewhere that records this splendid trip by Model TT ...If there are any descendents of the McIntosh or Armstrong families reading this, let me know!

I came across this little item while researching something else, but boy! do I wish the newspaper had included a picture of the crock! This is  a November 4, 1925 newspaper article entitled "HIGH PRICED CROCK" :

One of the reasons I enjoy ebay so much is because I'm always learning new things. Here's an example: A neat postcard I'll eventually be offering on eBay, it depicts the Country Club of Havana, described on the back as "the meeting place of the elite of the American Colony of Havana and their Cuban friends. A beautiful golf course and swimming pool are among the many attractions of this club."

It's postmarked August 29, 1939...just days before Hitler would invade Poland , changing the world forever. It's addressed to a Mr. and Mrs. George Buckline of West New York, and is from "Lady Jordan" (which naturally causes me to wonder just who Lady Jordan might have been. Anyone have any ideas? )

Now, I was already aware that before the War there was a sizeable American presence in Cuba, and Havana was a lively place, and that's one thing that attracted me to the postcard in the first place, all the romance and intrigue that the Country Club of Havana represented....

But the other thing that attracted me was the cancellation. My Spanish is pretty much non-existent, but I could make out the word "Baseball."
Now, I was already aware that Cuba has long been a baseball loving country (in fact, Castro wanted to play pro ball in the US in his younger days, or so I was once told).  I still can't make out all the words in the cancellation (especially where they are printed over the stamp), but my rough translation suggests this is an exhortation to "Attend the World Cup of Baseball".......the what?

Those better versed in baseball lore may know about the World Cup of Baseball, but I did not....seems there's been a World Cup of Baseball since 1938....so 1939 would be the second year the games were played. "World Cup" might be a slight misnomer, as only three countries fielded teams in 1939: Cuba, Nicaragua, and the US. Cuba won the Gold, Nicaragua the Silver, and the USA the Bronze. Since then, the Cup has been played somewhat irregularly.

Cuba has dominated the Baseball World Cup, winning 25 of the 36 tournaments, including all of the last nine events. Will Cuba win once again?

Well, sports fans, the answer to that question won't be known until November, when Taiwan will play host to the Cup.