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I just returned from a fascinating and slightly crazy trip to Mexico City. I went to investigate a cache of old school supplies, maps and charts from the 1940s. It had been more than 12 years since I last visited the city and it has been calling me back all this time.

The maps and charts were in the collection of a funky, independent family museum called MUJAM. The museum houses the huge personal toy collection of Roberto Shimizu. It is so worth a visit if you find yourself in Mexico City.

I will post more photos of the museum soon and of some local flea markets that we visited. There was too much cool stuff to fit in one blog post.

 And, of course, the food was delicious too!

Chile en Nogada

the best Churros y Chocolate at El Moro

In my wanderings, I have amassed a modest collection of unusual antique teaching tools. Scrolling art desks, chalkboards and easels are among my favorite objects. They combine two of my favorite things: educational charts and chalkboards. I find the captivating and extensive scrolls so magical. Many of the scrolls are quite long- 25 to 30 feet. You simply turn the knobs on the sides to scroll through the images and change the framed display.

I sold a Chautauqua Art Desk last weekend at the Brooklyn Flea that had an 1890s rendering of the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan in white on a black background. It is on its way to the purchasers home in Norway. How I wish I had taken a photo before I sold it! That particular model (very similar to the one pictured just below) was made for older and more sophisticated students, but I also have some charming models made for young children with letters, flags, animals and vehicles.

Chautauqua Art Desk: Restored

Chautauqua Art Desk: Wall-Mounted

1930s Children's Easel & Chalkboard

1910s Scrolling Chalkboard: Telegraphic Codes

1940s Scrolling Chalkboard: Flags

I will be bringing a wonderful collection of vintage cookbooks and cooking pamphlets to the Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene today. My husbands's grandmother, collected and preserved hundreds of these little gems.

Most of them date from the 1930s to the 1950s. Many are still in their original mailing envelopes. (Often, you would have to write to the various food companies, or send in a coupon, and they would send you the cookbook or pamphlet in the mail.)

The graphics are so fantastic on these. The recipes and serving ideas are pretty charming too.

I will have them modestly priced from $2 to $10 today at the flea. Come by and browse.

Beautiful Swedish botanical charts keep popping up on my radar recently. While I have a handful of American and French botanical charts for sale, I do not have any from Sweden. I admire their serene elegance. Here are a few examples from the latest issue of Country Living magazine and from postings on Remodelista.

A More Informative but less Artistic 1940s American Chart from My Collection

This lovely photo of a new cooking school & clubhouse in Manhattan called Haven Kitchen was in the Remodelista blog.

Some great fireworks posters for the holiday.