Someday the Almanac that you now Almanac would you l earn th ese
hold in your hands will be a col- things (all true, by the way; if you
lector’s item of inestimable value. In would like to know more, go to
a few years, perhaps decades, long af- Almanac.com/extras):
ter this edition has outlived its primary ■ the recipe for “easy and safe
purpose, someone will happen upon it puke” (it’s an antidote to poisoning),
and delight in his good fortune. 1830
It happens all the time. Throughout the year, we hear from ■ how to make butter by wrapping
people who have discovered old edi- cream in a napkin or clean cloth and
tions of this Almanac. With a mix of burying it a foot or so deep in the
excitement, awe, and anticipation, earth for 12 to 24 hours, 1889
they share the details of their finds: ■ about the Chrysler Bell Victory
■ “I was cleaning out my grand- Siren, which made “the loudest con-
mother’s attic, and there in the tinuous noise ever created by me-
drawer of an old bureau was a bunch chanical means—a noise equal to
of Old Farmer’s Almanacs.” the shouting potential of 4,000 mil-
■ “I got some really old Almanacs lion ordinary men,” 1964
at a garage sale.” ■ advice on when to shop for what
■ “In an old icehouse, we found to save money (watches in February, canned goods in August), 1977 five Old Farmer’s Almanacs, dog-
eared and faded, hanging on a nail.” ■ the pencil test to see how many
■ “I picked up an 1862 edition at a children you’ll have, 1989
used-book store.” ■ when 99.3% of college students
A few of them want to sell us their bathe (men on Saturday, women on old copies (thanks, but we have all Tuesday, neither on Sunday), 1995
we need). A few more want to sell ■ the way to “iron” your face to
their finds to anybody and ask us to prevent wrinkles, 2001
assign a dollar value—sight unseen, Even the advertisements mark
no less. We leave that task to used- time. These actually appeared:
book dealers and the like. The vast ■ “Tombstones direct to you,
majority of Almanac finders are keep- $9.95,” 1948
ers—and we are grateful for that. To them (and us) the old editions are ■ “100-Year-Old Gypsy Bait Oil
priceless time capsules, offering a Makes Fish Bite: Catch 300 big fish
glimpse into another era, a different or money back,” 1958
way of life. ■ “Eyeglasses by mail, limited to
For example, where but in our folks 40 years or older,” 1971
References:
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