Manada Creek Antiques

06/13/2026

🎖️ Lincoln Reached Out His Hand. Grant Had Just Arrived.

July 23, 1885. The news spread across the country like a wave of grief. Ulysses S. Grant — General of the Armies, President of the United States, the man who saved the Union — was gone.

Within weeks, a Columbus, Ohio artist named Homer Henderson picked up his brush and tried to make sense of it the only way art can.

What he painted became “The Hero’s Welcome.”

Columbia weeps at Grant’s earthly grave. The Angel of Peace takes his hand and leads him across the dark river. And on the other side — waiting to receive him — stand Abraham Lincoln and James Garfield. Behind them, the assembled giants of the American story: Washington. Jefferson. Franklin. Adams. Webster. Jackson. Clay. Douglas. Sumner. Lafayette.

Three presidents who died in service to their country, reunited on the other side. The nation processed its grief in paint — and then in photographs.

This is one of those photographs.

An original 1885 cabinet card — a photographic reproduction of Henderson’s allegorical painting, valued at $5,000 at the time of its creation. Subtitled “Retreat has Sounded; He Wakes to Reveille.” Copyright 1885 by Homer Henderson. Published by Ward Brothers, Columbus, Ohio. The reverse carries the full printed allegorical description and commemorative verse — every word original, every word 140 years old.

This was grief made tangible. Issued in the raw, immediate aftermath of one of the most mourned deaths in American history, purchased by families who hung it in their parlors and meant every word of it.

Condition is good for its age — toning and edge wear consistent with 140 years of existence. It displays beautifully. This is not a reproduction. This is not a reprint. This is the real thing, from the moment it happened. 🇺🇸🕊️

For collectors of Civil War Americana, Grant memorabilia, Victorian memorial art, or 19th century cabinet cards — pieces like this surface once and disappear.

👉 https://ebay.io/m/tJ3cug — ships flat in a rigid mailer with acid-free protection.

06/12/2026

✈️ He Trained to Fly Into Hell — And Somebody Remembered His Name

Dyersburg, Tennessee. 1943 or ’44. A young sergeant stands in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress and somebody snaps a photo.

His name was Sgt. Charles H. Stygel. Serial No. 13034381. 419th Squadron, Training Unit, Dyersburg Army Air Base.

We know this because it’s written right on the back. Fully identified. Fully provenance. The kind of military snapshot collectors spend years hunting for and rarely find.

Dyersburg AAB wasn’t just any base — it was one of the most significant B-17 crew training facilities in the entire United States during World War II. The men who trained there were being prepared for the most dangerous missions of the war — daylight precision bombing runs over Nazi-occupied Europe. Casualties in the 8th Air Force alone were staggering. These men knew what they were flying toward.

A second inscription on the reverse names Michael Shlased of Norton, Virginia — a second thread of real human history woven into this single small photograph.

The fuselage data plate is partially readable in the image. The plane is real. The men are real. The moment is real.

This isn’t a generic wartime snapshot. This is a named, identified, fully provenanced piece of American WWII history — the kind that belongs in a collection, a shadow box, or on the wall of someone who understands what these men were about to face. 🎖️🇺🇸

For serious WWII militaria collectors, aviation history enthusiasts, and American military memorabilia hunters — this is the one you don’t pass on.

Message us or check the link in bio before it’s gone.

06/11/2026

📸 A Moment Frozen in Time — Real People, Real Regalia, Real History

Before the world moved on, before traditions faded, before gatherings like this became rare — somebody had a camera and the presence of mind to use it.

This original mounted photograph captures a Native American ceremonial gathering near Mandan, North Dakota, circa 1900–1920s. Inscribed on the reverse in period handwriting: “Indians at Mandan.”

In the background, figures in full traditional regalia — feathered headdresses, ceremonial dress — caught mid-dance. In the foreground, seated observers watching. A period water tower rises in the distance, quietly anchoring this image in time and place.

This is the early reservation era — Standing Rock territory, Three Affiliated Tribes country. The Plains Indian nations were navigating a rapidly changing world, and someone stood there with a camera and captured this. Not a postcard. Not a reproduction. An original mounted photograph on grey mat board, with a handwritten inscription on the back that’s been waiting over 100 years for someone to read it again.

This is the kind of piece that stops you. The kind you hold and feel the weight of. Primary source material. Cultural documentation. American history you can touch.

For serious collectors of Plains Indian photography, Western Americana, or early 20th century documentary photography — this one is the real thing. 🪶

Find it here on eBay - https://ebay.io/m/dF2XXB

06/10/2026

🔐 JUST LISTED | Civil War Era Iron Padlock & Skeleton Key — Ground Recovery

We just added something really special to the shop — a heavily corroded iron padlock and matching skeleton key recovered from the ground, consistent with 1860s Civil War era American padlock design.

The form factor is classic mid-19th century — that distinctive heart/shield shape you see on period military and civilian iron padlocks used to secure trunks, ammunition boxes, and field equipment. This isn’t a reproduction or a shelf piece. The heavy iron oxidation and soil mineralization throughout tell the real story — this came out of the ground, and it’s been waiting a long time to be found.

The skeleton key appears to be a matching period piece, making this a rare complete matched set rather than just a loose lock. That alone sets it apart from most relic finds of this type.

Whether you’re a Civil War relic collector, an antique lock enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates holding a genuine piece of American history in your hand — this one checks all the boxes. 🪖⚔️

These don’t come up often as a matched set. Drop a comment, send us a message, or check the link below, to grab it before it’s gone.

https://ebay.io/m/d2JXqe

06/05/2026

On June 6, 1944, thousands of Allied soldiers crossed the English Channel and stormed the beaches of Normandy. History remembers the generals, the paratroopers, and the men who fought their way inland. Far fewer remember the meteorologists.

Yet without them, D-Day itself may have looked very different.

In the days leading up to the invasion, military weather forecasters worked around the clock tracking storms, monitoring winds, studying tides, and keeping a constant watch on the skies. Their forecasts helped determine when aircraft could fly, when ships could sail, and when Allied forces would have their best chance of reaching the shores of France. Their work was largely invisible—but absolutely critical.

Recently, while digging through a dusty old box at a Central Pennsylvania flea market, we uncovered the life story of one of those unsung heroes.

Inside were more than 190 original letters written between 1943 and 1946 by a U.S. Army Air Forces meteorologist. The correspondence follows him from stateside training assignments at MacDill Field, Fort Monmouth, Brown University, and the University of Chicago, all the way across the Pacific to the Philippines, Tokyo, and locations at sea during the final stages of World War II.

Together, the letters create an extraordinary firsthand narrative of military service, advanced meteorological training, wartime travel, scientific work, and the transition from war to peace. Preserved alongside many of their original envelopes bearing wartime postmarks and military markings, they offer a rare glimpse into a role that helped shape the outcome of the war but is often overlooked today.

What makes this archive even more remarkable is the family legacy behind it.

His mother was a Daughter of the American Revolution. His father served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. His grandfather was a noted author whose works reached readers across America during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Across generations, this family witnessed—and participated in—the story of America itself.

From the Revolution to World War I, from World War II to the occupation of Japan, their history unfolded alongside the nation’s.

It’s discoveries like this that remind us why we keep digging. Sometimes a dusty old box isn’t just paper and ink. Sometimes it’s a forgotten chapter of American history waiting to be read again.

🇺🇸📜✈️

Find the link to eBay here - https://ebay.io/m/emEUo2

📝 Dates span 1943–1946, covering The Pacific Theater – including Tokyo, the Philippines, and unspecified locations at sea. WWII historians. Very good overall – most letters are clean, legible, and protected in archival sleeves.

06/04/2026

Something new is waiting to greet you at Schoolhouse Antiques…

The creepy crucifix entryway display—crafted by yours truly from Manada Creek Antiques & Oddities—has officially arrived. But that was only the beginning of our latest visit to 103 N. College Street.

We flipped, refreshed, and reloaded the stand with even more tragedy, sorrow, sacrifice, and curiosity. The walls have changed, the baby carriage has been filled once again, and our binders are now packed with fresh local and Pennsylvania ephemera.

We’ve scoured, sorted, hunted, and rescued unique photographs, artifacts, and forgotten pieces of history—items that have lived many lives and carry stories far beyond what first meets the eye. Some come with remarkable histories. Others feel like they might still have a few skeletons hiding in the closet.

Take a look through the video to catch most of what’s currently in the booth, and be sure to stop by and see it all in person.

📍 Schoolhouse Antiques
103 N. College Street
Palmyra, PA

Open Wednesday–Sunday | 10 AM–5 PM

Not much of a digger? Not a fan of hunting through dusty old treasures? Reach out and shop our ODD GARAGE instead—a personalized antique buying experience where we tailor the search to your interests and help connect you with the pieces that speak to you.

06/02/2026

🏀 A Remarkable Glimpse Into Early Women’s Basketball in Pennsylvania 🏀

Fresh from a recent acquisition comes a wonderful original Real Photo Post Card (RPPC) documenting the Myerstown High School Championship Basketball Team of 1920, a scarce survivor from the formative years of organized girls’ athletics in America.

The photograph captures six young female athletes proudly posed in matching sailor-style uniforms, accompanied by their coach holding a basketball. Identified in period handwriting as “Myerstown High School Champions 1920,” the image preserves a moment of achievement from an era when opportunities for women in competitive sports were still limited and often overlooked.

Long before packed arenas, television broadcasts, and national championships, young women in small Pennsylvania towns were helping lay the foundation for future generations of athletes. Photographs like this serve as important reminders of those early pioneers whose accomplishments are too often lost to time.

The postcard remains unused and bears an early AZO back, placing it firmly within the period. The image quality is sharp and detailed, allowing the uniforms, expressions, and equipment to be appreciated more than a century after the photograph was taken.

Whether your interests lie in Pennsylvania history, vintage basketball, women’s sports, school memorabilia, or real photo postcards, this is the kind of piece that tells a story far beyond the image itself.

A scarce and evocative piece of Pennsylvania sports history, preserving a championship team from the early days of girls’ basketball and small-town American life.

Find it here - https://ebay.us/m/MGFEWH

06/01/2026

☠️ Fresh From the Collection: Antique Poison Printer’s Block ☠️

Some pieces stop you in your tracks the moment you uncover them, and this is certainly one of them.

Offered here is an original antique printer’s block used to produce poison warning labels during the late 19th or early 20th century. The block features a striking heart-shaped design incorporating the word “POISON” alongside the universally recognized skull-and-crossbones motif. The lettering appears in reverse, exactly as it would have been prepared for use on a printing press, confirming its purpose as a working printing plate rather than a decorative reproduction.

For generations, pharmacists, chemical suppliers, and manufacturers relied upon warning labels such as these to identify dangerous substances. This small block would have played a practical role in an era when poison labels were often the only safeguard standing between a household remedy and a deadly mistake.

The block retains its original copper-faced printing surface mounted to a metal backing, complete with mounting holes and honest wear from years of service. The rich patina and evidence of use only add to its character and authenticity.

Pieces like this occupy a fascinating crossroads of printing history, medical history, advertising, and the evolution of public safety. Whether displayed alongside antique poison bottles, apothecary artifacts, printing equipment, or industrial advertising, it is an object that immediately sparks conversation.

A rare survivor from the age of letterpress printing and a wonderful addition to any collection of printing history, pharmacy memorabilia, poison-related antiques, or unusual Americana.

05/30/2026

🍫🏛️ Some photographs capture history.

Others capture the very moment history begins.

Offered here is an extraordinary original 4x5 film negative photographed during the summer of 1915, depicting the newly completed Hershey Park Convention Hall in Hershey, Pennsylvania — and quite possibly one of the earliest surviving photographs of this iconic building in existence.

What makes this image so remarkable is its timing.

Construction on the Convention Hall began in March 1915 and the massive structure was dedicated on Memorial Day weekend, May 30, 1915. This negative was almost certainly made within weeks of that dedication, at a moment when the building was still brand new and finishing work had only recently been completed.

Designed by renowned Pennsylvania architect C. Emlen Urban, the Convention Hall quickly became one of the cultural centers of Central Pennsylvania. 🎭🎶

Over the decades, its stage welcomed world-class performers, including singers from the Metropolitan Opera, the legendary Paul Whiteman Orchestra, and even the famed Sistine Chapel Choir during its first American tour. For generations of Pennsylvanians, this building became a place of music, celebration, conventions, community gatherings, and unforgettable memories.

But in this photograph, all of that still lay in the future.

What you’re seeing is the building at the very beginning of its story — standing fresh and new in the summer of 1915, as Milton Hershey’s vision for his model town continued to take shape. 🍫🏗️

As a lifelong student of Pennsylvania history, it’s hard not to be amazed by images like this. We often see landmarks after they’ve become famous. Finding a photograph from the moment they first emerged is something entirely different.

📸 Original 1915 4x5 negative
🏛️ Hershey Park Convention Hall
🎨 Designed by noted architect C. Emlen Urban
🍫 Early Hershey history
📚 Exceptional research and archival significance

A truly important piece of Hershey, Pennsylvania, and American architectural history.

Available now on eBay here - https://ebay.us/m/cUlOkP

05/29/2026

Luxury, politics, Cold War secrecy, and old-world American elegance poured into one incredible survivor… 🥃✨

Offered here is an authentic antique silver soldered pitcher from the legendary Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia — one of the most famous luxury destinations in American history. Bearing the elegant scripted “The Greenbrier” engraving alongside marks for Reed & Barton Silver Soldered, WSSCO (White Sulphur Springs Company), and inventory number 171, this is exactly the kind of documented hotel silver collectors hope to uncover.

The Greenbrier was far more than a resort. Dating back to the 18th century and built around the area’s natural sulfur springs, it became a playground for presidents, industrialists, celebrities, diplomats, and royalty. Over the decades, guests included numerous U.S. presidents, and during the Cold War the resort secretly housed a massive underground congressional bunker designed to shelter the United States government in the event of nuclear war — a classified facility hidden beneath the grounds until its public revelation in the 1990s. Very few American hotels carry this level of political, social, and historical significance.

The maker is equally important. Reed & Barton was one of America’s premier silversmithing firms, founded in Massachusetts in the 1820s and renowned for producing exceptionally high-quality silver for elite hotels, luxury railroads, steamship lines, and fine dining institutions across the country. Their heavy silver soldered wares were built specifically for constant use in high-end hospitality settings — durable, elegant, and unmistakably refined. Institutions like The Greenbrier commissioned these pieces not only for function, but as symbols of prestige and luxury hospitality at the highest level.

This pitcher survives with beautiful honest age patina, clear markings, and a properly functioning hinged lid — the kind of authentic wear that tells its story better than over-polishing ever could. A genuine artifact from America’s golden age of grand resorts and luxury travel. 🏨🕰️

An extraordinary display piece with impeccable provenance from one of the most storied destinations in American history.

eBay link here - https://ebay.us/m/6BOVQn