Novelties

This superb pack of playing cards arrived today alongside an Electro 35 Professional camera; indeed, it was a promotional tool for the Electro 35 which was introduced in 1966.




Yashica Electro 35 playing cards


Housed in a textured, black plastic case with raised silver lettering proclaiming the camera, the cards show Shiga on the reverse in a hot-air balloon.  What I really love is the image in the roundel - it looks like it could have been lifted straight out of the Beatles' animated film 'Yellow Submarine'.  Definitely shades of that 1967 Summer of Love for those of us that remember it!

People are asking stupid money for a pack of Yashica playing cards here in Europe; thankfully the Japanese are more sanguine and the pack only cost £6. 

And praise is due to FedEx: I bought the cards and the camera on Sunday evening, they were shipped from Tokyo on Monday using their standard service and arrived here in the UK today, Wednesday morning, despite all the travails of the logistics industry.  Most impressive and it didn't cost the earth...

This Contax ceramic ball-point pen in a presentation case popped onto the radar and has made its way to the UK.





Contax Ceramic pen


I have not seen this one before. 

Given the price tag with a Contax code on the outer box, this appears to have been a piece of saleable merchandise rather than a dealer promotion.  Whatever its provenance, it writes beautifully; thankfully, it had been sealed in its box which is presumably why its ink has not dried..

I wonder what it was about Contax and keys?   I've found yet another key accessory - a very large, leather key ring.



Contax Leather Key Ring

I've placed the AA battery next to it to give you an understanding of its size; as you can see, it's substantial.  It's made all the more impressive by being made from saddle-leather and it looks hand-stitched  On the reverse is a large cut-out for a name and address label.  I assume it was aimed at dealers.

I found this Yashica lighter at the bottom of a drawer and I'm embarrassed to admit that I have no recollection as to how it came into my possession. 

I suspect it was from attending a trade show or perhaps the launch of Yashica's new AF range about 3 decades ago...





Yashica lighter

5 years ago I uploaded a photo of the original Yashica 'bullet' lens brush to this section.  Today, I have finally been able to track down the 'fountain pen' version of Yashica's brush.




Yashica Lens Brush Type 2


I don't know if these were promotional offers or dealer incentives but they sport natural hairs of incredible softness and refinement; this would not have been cheap to produce.  It comes apart just like a fountain pen and a slider allows you to extend or retract the brush.  Here, the cap shows the 1960's style of Yashica logo and on its reverse side is a clip to allow this to be attached to a pocket.  The metal casing has a colour which sits somewhere between brass and copper.  It's a very nicely made item and will travel with me in future.