For Sale on EBay: What Tennessee collectibles are online?
July 26, 2010 by Devin Greaney · 1 Comment
Was a trip in the 1950's to Nashville's Quick-Wash worthy of a postcard to the folks back home? One of many Tennessee collectibles available on EBay.
Back in 2002 EBay was just under eight years old when author Marc Hartzman released his book “Found on EBay” showing what people were willing to sell and, even more strangely, what people were willing to buy in what he called “the world’s online yard sale.”
A John F. Kennedy lawn gnome, a necklace made of goat’s toe nails and a jar with on pickle left were some of the items in the book given over to total whimsy.
Now another eight years have passed. EBay is more than the novelty it was in ’02. It is now an institution. The odds of someone stopping by your garage sale in Dyersburg and getting excited about the autographed picture of Peter Marshal are slim. But put the same picture on Ebay and somewhere in the world a collector of vintage game show memorabilia may have found their holy grail.
So what turns up when “Tennessee” is put in EBay’s search engine?
The Bell of Peace: A Peace memento at the birthplace of the A-Bomb
July 19, 2010 by Devin Greaney · Leave a Comment
Oak Ridge's Peace Bell
Story by Gayle Crabtree,
Photos by John Crabtree
No one questions the importance of the Liberty Bell or the ringing of church bells. Maybe that’s why supporters of the Oak Ridge Friendship Bell were caught off guard when a firestorm of controversy surrounded the project.
The purpose of the bell was to represent peace. Oak Ridge played a key role in the making of the atomic bombs. That such a monument would be placed in a city known for its part in creating atomic weaponry was, for some, a poignant reminder of the importance of international peace. Others saw it as a reminder of World War II. The ironic controversy went to the U.S. Supreme Court before the fate of the International Friendship bell was ultimately decided.
Race for and against time: Preservationists list their most endangered properties
July 12, 2010 by Devin Greaney · 2 Comments
1956 meets 2010 at the Chisca Hotel. Special Collections, University of Memphis libraries
First: In the credit where credit is due department let me thank the University Of Memphis Library Special Collections Department for the black and white photos from the archives of the now defunct Memphis Press-Scimitar. Photojournalist Preston Gannaway of the Virginian-Pilot also deserves and is now receiving thanks for the “two photos in one” concept. She gives pointers here, though this publisher can attest she makes her flawless execution of the photos look much easier than it is!
They were where fans cheered on sports teams, where firefighters awaited the calls for help, where shoppers looked for gifts and where tourists slept after getting off the train.
Citizens!: A memorable Independence Day
July 5, 2010 by Devin Greaney · Leave a Comment
(Memphis) – One wore his army uniform. There were those in suits, dresses and casual. They were white, black, Asian, Middle Eastern and Hispanic. Young adults stood with older ones. They were of twenty three different national origins. It was a diverse group, but at the end of the ceremony they all left with one thing in common- US citizenship.