In a plastic, fast and disposable world, the littlest touch of something real can be a luxury. This week’s fresh to market vintage has a perfect little thing–a 1950s pill case.

‘Fess up, how do you keep pills handy in your handbag? We have a zip top snack-sized plastic bag. It’s efficient, but hardly something that brings a smile when we see it. Plastic containers are efficient, but also a bit of a snooze. An elegant vintage pill case though, that would be something that would even make digging out something for a headache feel luxe.

Collecting vintage pill boxes would be an excellent adventure. There are so many styles and materials and eras. There is a wide price range; most vintage pillboxes are quite affordable. They are tiny and would be right at home in a glass-topped display table.

Of course, if pill boxes aren’t your thing, we have other lovelies that might catch your eye…

Antique Armour, SD Pharmacy Calendar (c 1907)

As you might have noticed if you follow our blog, I am a big fan of ephemera and this piece strikes me as a particularly charming giveaway. Commissioned on behalf of a family pharmacy in Armour, South Dakota, it was a promotional piece printed by the Thos. D. Murphy Co. in Red Oak, Iowa. Founded in 1888, that particular printing company became so prominent in the industry that Red Oak was known as “the birthplace of the art calendar.” The fabulous photo of the sleeping child entitled “All Tired Out” may be one reason the original calendar owner chose to hang onto it along with the last seven months of the year. Whatever the reason, the fact that this throwaway piece has survived over a century pleases me.

Crutchett’s Pharmacy Giveaway Calendar, $45

Linda, Selective Salvage

Silver Confetti Pill Box

Have you ever tried to find something at the bottom of a large purse? Organization is key to finding those small items. This tiny 1950s pill box might help. Its shiny silver confetti top will sparkle in the depths of even the largest bag, making it easy to find. Just the right size for a days supply of meds or emergency allergy or headache pills. Keep it stocked as you never know when you may need some relief.

1950s Confetti topped Pill Box, $21.95

Pam, Vintage Renude

1958 Viola Gråsten “Raff” fabric

This fabulous heavyweight yardage is a mid-century modern work of art. The fabric is the “Raff” pattern by renowned Swedish/Finnish textile designer Viola Gråsten, created for the Swedish department store NK(Nordiska Kompaniet). Gråsten’s bold, graphic patterns helped define Scandinavian modern style in the 1950s and 1960s. Authentic mid-century textiles like this are highly sought-after for their artistry, rarity, and timeless appeal.

The piece measures 50″ wide x 52″ long, large enough to stretch onto a frame to use as art or to make some fabulous accent pieces.

1958 Viola Gråsten “Raff” Fabric Yardage, $150.

Laurie, NextStage Vintage

1954 Elizabeth Taylor Paper Dolls

One effect from Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl album that vintage movie lovers applaud is that it is introducing Elizabeth Taylor to new generations. She had a larger than life career and larger than life life, all on her terms. Her film career launched when she was a teen, starring in National Velvet, and her star rose from there. She married eight times, including double dipping with Richard Burton. She was one of the first celebrities to become active in raising funds for AIDS/HIV research and support. She was the second celebrity to introduce a perfume (Sophia Loren was the first).

Ms. Taylor was 22 years old when these dolls were made, a couple years after the very popular Father of the Bride film. She was on her second husband. And she was breathtakingly, hauntingly beautiful.

Whitman Publishing Elizabeth Taylor Paper Dolls, $68.

This fresh find is from Laurie at BubbiesMemories on Etsy

Halloween isn’t even here yet, and Christmas is pushing its way into retail stores. We do not support holiday creep, but we heartily endorse checking things off your holiday shopping list if your list involves vintage lovers. You won’t find antique pharmacy calendars stocked ten deep in a vintage store. If you don’t buy a vintage piece when you see it, it might not be there when you circle back for it. And if you wait until the last minute, that special piece for someone’s collection might elude you.

We don’t want any of our Vintage Unscripted posts to elude you. That’s why we always suggest you subscribe to our email newsletter. You get one email a week with links to all our posts. And we would sooner put tins of picked squid in our family Christmas stockings than ever share your information with anyone.