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A Spectacular Matchbook Catalog, in a Very Satisfying Format
Why weren’t all salesman sample catalogs made this way? Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup.
Apr 28
•
Paul Lukas
36
6
1
One Person’s Obsessive Archive of Postal Activity
More than a century ago, an Ohio woman began meticulously logging every piece of mail she sent and received.
Apr 21
•
Paul Lukas
31
17
1
A Return Visit to the Ephemera Fair
Just like last year, there were tons of beautiful vintage collectibles — and a very strange pricing format.
Mar 31
•
Paul Lukas
33
6
1
A Museum Devoted to Everyday Items
Mexico City is home to an institution that’s right the Inconspicuous Consumption wheelhouse.
Feb 18
•
Paul Lukas
and
Scott Teplin
46
18
5
What the Hell Is an Addressograph?
How a small vintage item led me down a very deep, very enjoyable rabbit hole.
Feb 3
•
Paul Lukas
37
26
2
Collection Agency: From Glassware to Hardware
Elizabeth Fox has a knack for niche-specific collecting categories across many types of objects. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup!
Jan 20
•
Paul Lukas
46
21
1
Collection Agency: Crunching the Numbers with a Calculator Collector
Rahul Saggar, a self-described “calcuphile,” is obsessed with old-school computational devices.
Dec 29, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
94
45
6
When Is a Catalog More Than a Catalog?
A close look at functional objects that also serve as catalogs. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup!
Nov 7, 2025
28
10
1
The Pleasures of Decorator Colors
How a recent purchase led to a deep dive on a colorful marketing term.
Nov 4, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
37
19
2
I Thought I Knew About the Poll Tax, but I Was Wrong
How a bunch of vintage documents gave me a fascinating history lesson.
Oct 2, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
37
9
In Which I Finally Land My White Whale ... Sort Of
I finally found a long-sought item — or at least a representation of it. Plus still more stick figures, right-handed toilets, and more!
Sep 3, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
25
12
1
A Shirt with a Very Unusual Backstory
A gift I gave to a now-deceased friend 30 years ago is up for purchase in a digital estate sale, which raises some interesting questions. Plus a new…
Aug 25, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
31
7
1
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