Discovering Ephemera #1 – Old School Report
Let’s talk about ephemera. That’s right e-fem-e-ra! Let’s start by checking the Oxford Dictionary’s official definition of the word, which states the following:
“things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time: there were papers, letters, old boxes—all sorts of ephemera” and also
“collectable items that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity: Mickey Mouse ephemera
So here’s a question for you, when is being a hoarder a good thing? I’m sure many would answer “never”, but trust me it is a good thing when it relates to keeping family records, documents, ephemera and photos.
Rightly or wrongly I’ve always thought of letters, diaries, dockets and receipts, certificates, newspaper cuttings, and postcards as ephemera.
Anyway back to the story … my dad fits into the category of ‘hoarder of family ephemera an photos’, though he would never admit it. But it is thanks to him keeping the ‘papers and photos’ when older reli’s have passed on, we have a truck load of ephemera relating to various families.
So after spending a few hours of being delving into the depths of the collection, we (my dad and I) recently discovered an old school report dated 1886 that relates to my great grandpa John Beavis Randell. Just to be clear, as there was several John Beavis Randell’s, this is the one who was the son of William Beavis Randell and Phebe (nee Robbins).
This is his school report from the Gumeracha Primary School, at age 9, and in grade 3.
Anyway I thought I’d like to share it with you. And have decided that as I come across other treasures shall add them to my Ephemera collection of posts.
front of report
back of report
9 Responses to “Discovering Ephemera #1 – Old School Report”
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Love this report card. Thank heavens for hoarders!
Hail to the hoarders. What a treasure.
What a find! I don’t suppose many report cards from so long ago have survived.
Such a treasure! I don’t care what this sort of collection is called…I think it’s brilliant 🙂
BRILLIANT!!! … Happily confess to being a “hoarder”. Never thought of it as a PLUS before 🙂 Great post. Thanks Alona.
Love it! Thanks for sharing and a great reminder not to ignore those treasures.
I love it… “A Good Lad” I don’t suppose many boys were good at neddlework in those days! I have always been a Happy Hoarder.
My Dad has closets full of papers and receipts and photos, all manner of things… when I ask to look through them, I get “you’ve seen it before”, when I protest, it’s “you can go through them after…”
He no longer goes through them or even occasionally brings out a treasure… These days, the hours congeal into each other… I’ll remember for you, Dad, as best I can.
Oh Crissouli, I wish you well trying to remember the stories behind the treasures. I’d be stuffed if I didn’t have my dad to ask – who was that, or where did this come from etc. etc. On the plus side, at least the treasures are being saved.