Magic Tricks and typewriters

A friend of mine's father was in the mail order magic business in the 50's and 60's. Not sure if they are still in business. These guys will sell you 150 tricks, their trick was to get your name and a catalog into your hands.

This typewriter must have been a good deal in this time period but in the ad it says all machines rebuilt as new. How much did a new one cost ? Those machines today would cost more than $25 to mail. They were heavy suckers. I am betting it's hard to find any kind of typewriter in use today. Yea I know there are a few holdouts that do not own a computer.
Of course this machine is usable when the power goes out.

Rates are higher today

This building is still being used as a hotel. It is not the Cumberland, but called Ameritna. Good old Google and street view on the map tab.
Back in 1907 you could get a room for 2.50 with a bath no less. Did not call for todays rates. The ad says new, modern and fireproof. Well it is not new today, it might be modern and it looks like it has been fireproof so far.
I wonder if they would send me a booklet.

Sexolgy or Whiskey

If you read my last blog you found in 1907 you could get a gallon of Whiskey for 3.20, but now you have to make a choice.
A book on Sexology for 2.00. Since it is illustrated, it might be worth the 2 bucks.
In 1907 if you made 5.00 a week you were average, so do you blow a weeks wages on Whiskey and a how to book.
Funny thing is stuff like this is being still sold today.

Sign Me up for a truckload

3.20 got you a gallon of Whiskey in 1907 and you did not need to leave the house. It comes in a plain brown box.
Bottled in Bond. Of course in 1907 the average guy was lucky to earn 5.00 a week. Average wage 22 cents an hour. I googled it.
Haynor is out of business but the bottles are collectible.
Read the history here.
http://www.troyhayner.org/distillery.htm

Found a nice source for old ads, going to try to do 3 or 4 a week.