Rough on Rats

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 5:52 pm

Here is a trade card for Rough on Rats. Can anyone tell me, or have a guess, at why it is so expensive? The back of it doesn't look so swell.

It is # 7177560880 on eBay.

Edisto · Post by **Edisto** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:41 am

Admittedly, I don't collect or deal in trade cards. However, I do collect another type of ephemera. First, we don't really know whether this trade card is "expensive" at $24.95 or not, because it has received no bids. The seller may just be fishing to see whether anybody has pockets this deep. IMHO, this is a particularly "cute" item. There's another "Rough on Rats" advertising item on eBay right now for less than half the price, but it doesn't even begin to compare with this one for attractiveness and (apparently) condition. That one hasn't received any bids either, so we really don't know how "expensive" it is. I collect needle books, and I look for items that have eye-catching artwork, historic significance, or some other kind of "grabber." I rarely pay this much for a needle book, I must admit, and I often get contents with my needle books. Not that I would take the needles out and use them! Some of the things that count are rarity (I have no idea how rare "Rough on Rats items are; probably not very), condition (this may have that going for it) and that certain je ne sais quoi (it definitely has that, in my opinion). Think about it -- the card is for a product that purports to kill pests, but the pests it supposedly kills are anthropomorphized in the advertising. How delightfully goofy can you get?

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 4:59 pm

Thanks for the most informative post, Edisto. I have a Rough on Rats trade card that is in black and white that I paid $10 for. I read an article in "Victorian _____ (something)" on Victorian trade cards. They said that cards go from $5 - $10. But there are always exceptions. Yes, this card was an especially good one. I wonder what it did sell for.

I checked on that card. (You're right - it was pretty cute. I hadn't read it earlier.) Anyway it did not sell. It got no bids.

What are needle books? Are they a small match-book sized envelope of needles? Or a book of sewing projects, tho I don't recall seeing one with the needle included ... It sounds interesting.

Edisto · Post by **Edisto** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:36 pm

Needle books are lightweight cardboard folders of various sizes (about 3"x6" is fairly typical, but some are almost as small as a matchbook). Some were advertising items for different products, such as coffee or commercial laundries. The best ones were sold in dimestores and similar establishments for around ten cents or so. Those were often printed in foreign countries and have very colorful covers. There's one type that's entitled "Sewing Susan" and has slight variations on the same picture. Many of them were made in Japan right after WWII, and the caucasian people on them are terribly funny-looking. They look almost scary. Another type has a couple riding on a rocket that looks like a big piece of fireworks. (It has kind of a semi-porno look, IMHO.) There are some from the turn of the 19th-20th century that have beautiful portraits of actresses on them. A few commemorate historic events (Spanish-American War, 1939 World's Fair). Some of the big ones contain several separate little folders of needles of various sizes, while the smaller ones have only one little packet of needles. They come up pretty often on eBay (though I have most of the ones found there), so you can see what they're like. I like sewing collectibles, because I've been sewing for about 67 years now (learned on an old treadle Singer; could barely reach the foot-pedal).

I turned to collecting needle books after I'd collected all the dolls I could afford (those under $l,000 each). Needle books are quite a reasonable collectible and take up so little room!

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:38 am

That's interesting, Edisto. Thank you for taking the time to explain what they are. I cannot stand to sew. Sewing and ironing have always been two of my least liked household tasks. I admire those that do, tho.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 4:37 pm

Yes that was really interesting, Edisto- Thanks!
I think I'll go thru my mom's sewing stuff. She was a sewing champ!

zoe · Post by **zoe** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 7:25 pm

I was very interested in the posts about needle cases, Edisto. It is fascinating. I wondered if you had by chance picked up a needle case w/ black cats. I can't actually remember any print on it. I bought it for a friend for her birthday. It was so cute; we both love our kitty cats, and she sews & crochets every chance she gets. It just seemed a perfect giftfor her.

And just to tell everyone; about two weeks ago I was garage saleing in White Pidgeon & Sturgis MI. I added another piece of granite/enamel ware to the bathroom. It's a small square basin that hangs on the wall and it is complete w/ a red hose & "enema tip". I'm not sure what else to call it. I filled it with pansies and wrapped the cord around & put the end in w. the flowers. I'll say one thing, it was a challenge.

I was in that area for a family reunion & had gone early to visit a few people & by chance ran accross the sales. For anyone who might be interested in them, they occur every year on the 2nd weekend in August; all along route 12. There's roughly 20 miles between the two small cities. Sure wish I'd found them prior to 1:00 p.m. Have a good night all.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:23 am

Thanks Zoe. It's always nice to hear more about your creative efforts in your bathroom!
Watch out, you may need a bigger one!

(I'm just jealous).
I did get a white glass small decorated hatchet for my birthday tho!

Edisto · Post by **Edisto** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 10:26 am

Actually I think of a "needle case" as something more permanent than a "needle book." I'm assuming the black-cat item was one of the paper or cardboard type, meant to be thrown away after the needles were used up. Actually I don't have one with black cats that I can recall. If I had found one, I'd have bought it, because I too like black-cat items.

When I mention sewing, I should clarify that I too hate ordinary household sewing (putting hems in pants, mending). The only kind I enjoy is making something nice from scratch. I've made several Civil-War-type ballgowns for myself and make lots of doll clothing out of old fabrics. The other day at an estate sale, I bought an old formal with yards and yards of cotton organdy and the sort of cotton lace that can no longer be bought at any price. I paid $10 for the whole thing! A lot of dolls can be beautifully dressed from that. The best part is that somebody had already "ruined" the dress by cutting the bottom off to make it short (but leaving all the fabric with it). I don't like to cut up vintage clothes unless they're damaged.

That yard-sale extravaganza sounds great! There are several communities that sponsor those. I believe there's one in the middle of the country that's over 100 miles long.

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:45 pm

Edisto, are you able to post a photo of the ball gowns you made? I'm intrigued.

I hadn't heard of that Sturgis, MI big, long flea market. My husband would never go. I can think of a couple friends who would, tho ... The second week of August, tho. It's always so darned hot. I'd probably pass out and roll out into the road.

I've heard of that 100 mile long garage sale. A journalist friend of mine has gone. I forgot when it is and where it is. If anyone knows anything about it, please post.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:36 pm

It was just on TV and I took notes but now I can't find them!

When I do, I'll let you know.
I do know it was down south and followed a road thru like 3 states.

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:46 am

Thanks, Kat. It's coming back to me now ... One of the states was Georgia. A friend who lives in Georgia went to it. It's fading now ... Wait! Wait, Auntie Em!

Edisto · Post by **Edisto** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 10:52 am

Unfortunately, I'm unable to post pictures right now. My antiquated computer is limping along and will barely get me onto the Internet. I hope the picture changes within a month or so, at which time I'll try to find a couple of pix of the ball gowns and post them. They are typical full-skirted, tight-waisted, floor-length dresses that are worn with hoops. They take many yards of fabric. My favorite is what I call my "stars and bars" dress, which is black and gold. The skirt has vertical gold stripes on black, and the bodice has gold stars on black. It's quite spectacular.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:57 am

http://www.us11antiquealley.com/

I think this is it:

"ATTENTION! THE 250 MILES
IS NOW 502 MILES OVER 4 DAYS!

A 502-Mile 'Happening' Slated for U.S. 11

(formerly a 250-Mile Event)

A shopper's dream will take place.

It's a 'Happening!' "
"U.S. Highway 11"

"Because of the additional 252 miles in 2002, the days have been expanded to FOUR. Antique dealers, flea market vendors, and yard sale enthusiasts are expected to line the route from Meridian, Mississippi through Birmingham, Alabama, Dade County, Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee with Bristol, Virginia being the end of the event."

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 1:34 pm

Wow - now how did you find that, Kat? You so smart! I guess it is "always the 4-day weekend after Mother's Day". The next one is May 18-21, 2006.
One of these days I would like to go. What do you do when your car is full?

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Wed May 17, 2006 9:38 am

augusta @ Fri Sep 02, 2005 10:34 am wrote:Wow - now how did you find that, Kat? You so smart! I guess it is "always the 4-day weekend after Mother's Day". The next one is May 18-21, 2006.
One of these days I would like to go. What do you do when your car is full?

Well, Augusta, tomorrow is May 18th. So, are you going? If you are you can swing by California and pick me up. I have some hatchets to look for.

If your car fills up there is always U-Haul.

-1bigsteve (o:

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Wed May 17, 2006 10:37 am

I'm glad I read this thread. I had forgotten all about that yard sale! Can't make it this year, but would love to some time.

Can't pick you up, Big Steve1. I'm in Detroit. That'd be quite a detour.

I think you should take a break from California, tho. Your picture shows you have quite a sunburn!

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Wed May 17, 2006 4:17 pm

augusta @ Wed May 17, 2006 7:37 am wrote:I'm glad I read this thread. I had forgotten all about that yard sale! Can't make it this year, but would love to some time.

Can't pick you up, Big Steve1. I'm in Detroit. That'd be quite a detour.

I think you should take a break from California, tho. Your picture shows you have quite a sunburn!

Yea, that is what we call a "fall asleep in the sun third degree burn" sunburn. Wait untill I peel!!!

-1bigsteve (o:

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:15 am

Oh, geez. Now, bear in mind I have a good case of bronchitis here and am not feeling my best.

When I read your post, Big Steve, I thought it said, "Wait till I pee." And I thought Whut? I was getting ready to post, "Wait till I pee? What does that mean?" Then I spotted the "l". WAIT TILL I PEEL.

I haven't laughed this much in days.

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Wed May 24, 2006 10:12 am

You had me going there for a moment, Augusta. I thought maybe I had left off the "l". I had to quickly double check.

Bronchitis? That stuff can be nasty. I got a piece of backed potatoe stuck at the back of my throat at dinner last night. Fifty gallons of water later and I'm still coughing my head off. It reminds me of those moments in everyones life when we are at a very elegant gathering and all of a sudden we get a tickle at the back of our throat! Oh, the horror and embarrassment! It's even more embarrassing when we start coughing at both ends.

When I was a kid I remember being at some posh and pomp gathering when all of a sudden I started laughing for no reason and I couldn't stop. I tried desperately to wipe the smile off my face. I don't know why that happens.

Take care of the bronchitis, Augusta. I hope your feeling better.

-1bigsteve (o:

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:01 pm

Are you really Dan "potatoe" Quayle? You can tell me - I won't tell anybody.

Try not being able to stop laughing at a funeral. Geez ...

At my grandfather's funeral I was holding my then-2-year old little girl on my lap. I had put her hair in pony tails that day. She had thick, thick hair and it was impossible to make a straight part in the back.

I had this necklace on with a tiger eye oval pendant. I don't know how, but somehow the pendant got stuck in my child's part in the back of her head, and it was dangling there. We were attached to each other.

My sister was sitting next to me, and I nudged her and motioned to the necklace stuck in the hair. She let out a stifled laugh and that's all it took. I couldn't stop laughing. I didn't let out a sound, but every time I looked at it I would just get worse.

I got up and carried my daughter out into the hallway, got the necklace out of her head, and didn't have the nerve to go back into the funeral. So I let her walk around the funeral home. No other families were there.

She had this stuffed striped cat named "Carmichael". And in her exploring the place dropped him somewhere. She started yelling, "Comma! Comma!" She's running up and down the non-carpeted hallway and everyone at my grandpa's funeral heard her. I was whispering for her to be quiet, but she would have none of it with her best little friend missing.

Finally the funeral was over. We had to get in our cars and go to the cemetery. My sister saw us and asked what was wrong. I said she would not leave until she found Carmichael.

So my sister goes searching quickly but thoroughly thru the funeral home, asking what rooms we had been in. Of course, my daughter had been in this other viewing room where there was a man in an open casket. I hadn't seen Carmichael anyplace. Could it be ......?

My sister had to look into the strange man's casket for that stuffed animal. It wasn't in there. The thing did turn up - my uncle found it laying somewhere in the hallway.

And so are the days of our lives ...

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:19 pm

I've always wanted to stage an "opening" casket at a funeral with hidden cameras. This lid creeps open and an old boney hand comes out. I'll bet that would clear the joint. Elvis has left the building! That would be cool.

-1bigsteve (o: