Largest Ephemera and Printed Matter Store on the West Coast

by Something Incorporated August 13, 2024

Ephemera, or originally one-use paper items that have become collectibles, is hard to come by in display condition; many printed pieces have been lost to history, either due to a lack of care for their preservation or simple aging of the material without appropriate conservation techniques. This is why collectors value ephemera so deeply, especially older pieces such as vintage labels and posters.

Though the hobby of ephemera collection has been around for many decades now (the Ephemera Society of America was formed in 1980), ephemera and printed matter stores are becoming relatively rare in the era of digital archival work, which is why finding one on the West Coast is an exciting challenge for collectors. Here’s what you need to know about the largest ephemera and printed matter store on the West Coast, The Box SF.

What sort of ephemera is collectible?

Although generally speaking, every collector will have different interests when it comes to building their collections, certain pieces have inherent collectible value based on their artistic creation, historical importance, and/or rarity. These pieces include things like

Classic or original labels for popular or unusual products (Coca-Cola, Ovaltine, etc.)
Vintage posters, typically from the early 1900s and even late 1800s
Flyers and advertisements, such as those posted in newspapers or added as individual leaflets
Political propaganda such as buttons, stickers, and banners
Personal communications such as letters on vintage letterheads and postcards
Miscellaneous items such as menus, timetables, tickets, and other small everyday objects

Many of these pieces require specific displays, such as treated glass or air-tight containment. Ephemera and print stores can help you get the materials you need to keep your piece in top condition. They may also do restoration work on some pieces in their collections, or may be able to work with you to restore your pieces.

Meet the largest ephemera and printed matter store on the West Coast

The Box SF has been operating since 2018 out of the former “William Randolph Heart Printing Plant,” once the home of the San Francisco Examiner and Sunset Magazine and a beautiful early 1900s building. The Box SF is a premiere event and meeting space in the South of Market District in San Francisco with two additional floors of meeting spaces alongside the gorgeous mercantile on the ground floor.

Meet Mark E. Sackett

Mark E. Sackett is the designer and entrepreneur behind The Box SF. Originally from Kansas City, Mark began operating in California in the 1980s, building his career across the industry until he eventually founded Sackett Design Associates and, after outgrowing his office space in Pacific Heights, moved into the South of Market District and what is now The Box SF. Mark aims to maintain The Box SF as a premier event space and ephemera and printed matter store, complete with creative offerings and unique spaces for corporate events of all kinds.

What can you find at The Box SF?

The mercantile at The Box SF carries a wide range of printed goods including those made in-house on antique printing presses dating back as far as 1838. They sell prints, posters, toys, labels, cards, books, packaging, graphic objects, and more, amounting to 15 million pieces total displayed across the massive open space. All objects are appropriately stored and displayed for maximum preservation.

Beyond sales, The Box SF offers demonstrations and learning opportunities for its patrons regarding printing history and processes. They’re happy to educate the public about the history of the store’s building, presses, and the businesses that occupied the space over time.

Planning your trip to The Box SF

If you’re planning to visit The Box SF, you might want to call ahead and schedule a tour. The friendly staff can help you decide what it is you want to see and when the best time to explore would be based on your itinerary. You might even book an event room for a unique experience for yourself and any guests you plan to bring with you.

The space is available for rent for corporate events of all kinds including meetings, classes, and workshops, and is open six days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. You can contact us to find more information on the website.