The Curated Chronicle

Some images hold your attention quietly. Thanks to its serene elegance and perfectly balanced composition, this Art Deco print is a holiday favorite of Found Image Press co-founder and chief nostalgia curator Barry Bell. In a world full of visual noise, it’s nice to find an image that feels so composed. We asked Barry to share his take on what makes this piece such an enduring seasonal classic. 

Barry Bell, our co-founder and resident navigator of nostalgia, can spot a great vintage graphic from a mile marker away. As part of a new series, Barry’s Picks, he will handpick a few images from our archive to give a little history on the era, talk about why he is drawn to it, and share the past’s connection to today. This month, his journey through our collections took him from Los Angeles to Chicago on Route 66.  

If you have a retail space, manage displays, or love switching up your home’s seasonal style, you might be dreading that awkward in-between. You know, the time when Halloween is over, but it is too soon for full-blown tinsel and jingle bells. Even if you aren’t sold on turkeys and stuffing, we think that the right crossover strategy allows you to bridge that gap with style and a little bit of magic. 

Seasonal décor is more than swapping colors and putting up pumpkins and pinecones. It’s an enticing opportunity to tell an enchanting story that encourages conversation and evokes emotion. Whether you're designing a retail window, creating a boutique display, or refreshing your home for the season, weaving historical storytelling into your décor can spark curiosity, nostalgia, and connection. 

April may be best known for its showers and pranks, but it’s also a sleeper hit on the retail calendar. It’s the month where penguins, pecans, and superheroes get their moment in the spotlight. And that means endless inspiration for your shelves! 

Nestled in the heart of Pasadena, Vroman’s Bookstore is a beloved literary sanctuary, a gathering place for book lovers, and a testament to the enduring magic of the written word. Since opening in 1894, Vroman’s has weathered the changing tides of time with resilience and passion, fostering a community where stories thrive, and curiosity is always welcome.  

Spring is a season of renewal with fresh blooms and warmer days. It’s a wonderful time to celebrate life’s special moments. Whether it’s Easter, Mother’s Day, graduation, or just the joy of sunshine after a long winter, there’s no better way to mark the occasion than with gifts as thoughtful as beautiful. 

There’s nothing like that feeling of stepping off a plane and looking up into a new sky, stretching your legs after a road trip, or sinking your toes into warm sand before a dip in the ocean. And shoppers want a way to hold on to that magic! Whether it’s a spring break adventure, a summer road trip with family, or a romantic getaway, the best way to keep the vacation spirit flowing is with a souvenir that actually means something. 

Romantic postcards and greeting cards are charming little love notes that travel through mailboxes instead of inboxes. These miniature masterpieces were the original emojis, conveying everything from swooning admiration to playful flirtation to dad jokes. 

Home is more than just a place. Our homes are feelings, memories, and the heartbeat where our stories begin. Whether nestled in a bustling city, cradled by quiet countryside, or blissfully beachside, our hometowns shape us, imprinting their landscapes into our identities. When we reflect on them, it can feel like we hold a piece of our soul in our hands. 

Spring is a time of renewal, growth, and, yes, plenty of opportunities to celebrate! From vibrant Mardi Gras parades to the soft pastels of Easter, the heartfelt joy of Mother’s Day, and the planet-loving vibes of Earth Day, spring holidays are rich with inspiration. To help you spring forward (and honestly, who couldn’t use a little sunshine right now?), we’ve curated a treasury of vintage images for seasonal shopping that’s as delightful as a sunny day in April!