Happy Father's Day!

I thought this was a good day to introduce you to my Grandfather, the man who originally collected all the wonderful items I blog about. Carl Backus was a man who could hold many interests and study them all passionately and thoroughly. The same dedication he had to collecting all of these vintage magic items as a boy could be seen in his love of photography, study of philosophy, and travel (he toured the country with my Grandmother, Florence, in an Airstream- how cool is that!?).

My Grandfather also had a love of technology- he helped supervise the nation's first microwave installation, which carried the first network television signals across the country. In his later years, he taught himself to use the computer, and even at 90 years old he was often seen researching something online, or scanning his huge collection of photographs and articles for further preservation. I think he would have really been happy that I am able to share his collection of vintage magic items with an online community- he loved passing on knowledge and his interests to others!

He always sent me clippings and books of whatever I was interested in, and always made me feel loved and welcome, even though he was miles away. He passed away just last November at the age of 95. It was a bittersweet passing- we all miss him so much, but were happy he could be with my Grandmother, who had passed some years earlier.

You can read more about Carl via the memories of his family on his tribute page.