A Very Special Collection

If you send condolences after the death of famous people, you get some interesting responses. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup!

Nov 5 • Paul Lukas

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October 2026

What Are Those Colored Stripes on Your Comic Books?

A rare vintage brochure unlocks an old color-coding system. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup!

Oct 29 • Paul Lukas

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My Quest to Acquire a Very Inconspicuous Subway Artifact

Some people want beautiful signs with familiar logos and typography. I had something else in mind.

Oct 22 • Paul Lukas

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A Big Collection of Small Objects

A promotional products company has maintained an amazing archive of enamel pins. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup!

Oct 20 • Paul Lukas and Mark Dancer

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The Cinnamon Toast Crunch Industrial Complex

The popular brand has become a consumer juggernaut whose reach extends far beyond the cereal aisle.

Oct 14

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Short Takes and Follow-Ups

A roundup of small-ish observations, plus new developments regarding a few recent posts.

Oct 7 • Paul Lukas

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September 2026

Stunner: Meet the Brannock Device’s Long-Lost Cousin!

Did you know the Dr. Scholl’s folks once had their own mechanical shoe sizer? I didn’t! Let’s go down the rabbit hole of this unexpected curiosity.

Sep 30 • Paul Lukas

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A Brilliant Plan to Spread the Gospel of Trade Magazines

How had I never heard about this program before? The second installment of a two-part series.

Sep 24 • Paul Lukas

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The Niche-Specific Appeal of Trade Magazines

From ‘National Hog Farmer’ to ‘American Jails,’ there’s a huge world of hyper-specialized industry publications out there.

Sep 23 • Paul Lukas

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The Collector’s Conundrum

Confronting the tricky questions of an item’s authenticity, story, and value. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup!

Sep 17 • Paul Lukas

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The Latest Developments in Paul’s Home Décor

People often tell me my apartment looks like a museum. Here are the latest additions to the permanent collection.

Sep 16 • Paul Lukas

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Some Excellent New Stick Figures in Peril

It turns out that specialized construction equipment calls for specialized safety warnings.

Sep 14 • Paul Lukas

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