Desk Drawer Opens Memories

I’ve had the same office desk for over 40 years.

It was a hand-me-down gift from my father-in-law, Laigh M. Cohen, after he had retired. He formerly used it for unknown years at his Aldine Manufacturing Co., 117-121 Chestnut St.

When I moved my advertising agency and related businesses into 117-121 Chestnut St after he had retired, the desk was there for me.

It’s huge.

Probably 4’ long & 3 ½’ wide. Heavy, sturdy wood.

Six large & deep drawers, plus two smaller drawers and a long 28” at your fingertips main drawer.

The other day I was rooting in the main drawer for a pen ( I have a collection, some picked up at trade shows, some from suppliers) and I inadvertently saw a list of my staffers from over 20 years ago, with their then name, telephone numbers, and addresses. (Note: Not e-mail addresses. That info was yet to be created.)

I thought I would do this column on them. Bringing up-to-date, where possible, their lives.

Then my number one administrator, Kathy Newmiller, now in her 32nd year with me, told me she had list of employees for the year ending December 1981.

“Hey, that’s 34 years ago.”

I decided to a full column on them – - later.

“What else is in this drawer” I queried myself.

I decided to look.

The contents gave me the idea for this column.

So here I go:

At the back of the drawer was an imitation leather-covered 5” x 3” booklet recording my stock market trades – - in 1961 & 1962.

I don’t think I’ve looked at that booklet in almost 50 years.

The first entry is 12/12/61. The stock is Pioneer Home Life. To the best of my knowledge, the firm is long out of business.

The second is Citizens & Southern Bank. That company, also, is long gone.

(Note: In those days my dollar investments were minimal.) I didn’t have much disposable income.

The third listing was Sinclair Oil. That’s still in my possession – and is a winner.

Then came more losers:

… Colorado Fuel & Iron

… Consolidated Sun Ray

… Tri-Metal. This was a Pennsauken, NJ manufacturer of soft ice cream trucks. Tri Metal is history. It was also a client of my ad agency. (Be aware I had nothing to do with the firm’s demise.)

Another ad agency client of that approximate time was Exter Hall, a Northeast Philadelphia nursing home. The owner asked me to invest. Not a large amount. I did.

He later sold the facility – - and my small share became worthless.

I recognize most of the above amateur investments ended up negative.

But Sinclair Oil made it all up – - and then some. It’s now BP.

The lesson here is “Diversity!” One winner out of several purchases can make it all worthwhile.

One Time Shopper

Another item at the back of the drawer was a credit card from Lord & Taylor. It’s never been used.

I received it when I had to make an almost last minute birthday purchase for my wife, Sandy.

The sales girl told me there would be a discount on the purchase if I signed up for the credit card.

I did. I got the discount. And then forgot I had the card. Never used it again.

Measuring a Forgotten Time

A metal ruler.

It shows peca’s and points.

It has been in my possession for over 57 years.

It is 24” long, and has another measurement from 0 to 61, atop the 0 to 24” marking.

I think it might be picas or points.

That is how newspapers used to measure the size of ads; plus the size of type for stories and headlines.

(I used to be able to give a more definitive description.)

How did I obtain it the year I went into business? …I don’t remember.

But I do remember I had one just like it when I was 19 and had the job of editor of The Inquirer’s first employee magazine, “Home Edition”. Note: Dave Podvey, Inquirer Promotions Manager of that time, graciously reproduced several years of the “Home Edition” magazine in a hardcover bound “book”. I still have it.

Model Daughter

Many (Many, Many) years ago I used my daughter, Yelane, as a model in an ad for Gumas Brothers, one of my accounts, also now out of business (Not my doing). The owner, Paul Gumas, died. He was a good man.

There in the drawer, under family photos I had placed into an album (which I never put together) was a Gumas advertising pamphlet featuring “Yane’s” photo.

Today ”Yane” is the mother of three. Their age will not be noted, nor hers.

What Happened to U.S. Mail?

Another item that gave me a smile was a memo I wrote to myself.

Evidently I did so 10-15 years ago.

Here it is:

How to send an Ad thru email:
1) Turn on the computer
2) Double click on Microsoft Word
3) Make the Ad
4) After you finish making the Ad click on the email icon on the top right hand of the menu bar
5) Enter the address either from the address book or by typing the address
6) Click on send button
7) The email will be sent through Outlook express

When I looked at the above, as I was writing this, I recognized- -I still don’t do it.

But everyone else in my office knows how.

They’re younger – - by a lot.

Oh, one more thing – - for now.

There was an Owner’s Manual in the drawer.

It was for my hearing aid.

I’ve never read it.

What? What! What did you say?

Could you say it louder?

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