This Minneapolis Millers home jersey was probably worn by pitcher Leslie Klesitz during the 1950-51 season.

This short-sleeved wool flannel baseball uniform jersey has a button-closure front opening and reads “MILLERS” across the breast and has the number “30″ applied on the back.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this jersey in our collections database.

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A set of twins in downtown Minneapolis on a hot July 9, 1951.

This image forms part of our Minneapolis and St. Paul Newspaper Negative collection. Additional photographs in this series may be available in the library, please view the finding aid here.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database.

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Schmidt Brewing/City Club Beer promotional mileage map. Rectangular envelope with adjustable mileage inset contains yellow map of Minnesota and highway routes highlighted in red. Circa 1940-50.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this map in our collections database.

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A couple clowns trying to throw a woman into the water on a hot July 27, 1952.

This image forms part of our Minneapolis and St. Paul Newspaper Negative collection. Additional photographs in this series may be available in the library, please view the finding aid here.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database.

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Comando-Scope handheld periscope. Consists of wood framed periscope with fitted slats for gold colored cardboard piece with a red printed graphic showing people using the device. Text reads “COMANDO SCOPE (reversed within a red triangle) / A GENUINE PERISCOPE for Junior Commandos…”. An oval opening near the bottom reveals an angled mirror. Metal staples near at the top and bottom hold the cardboard in place. Reverse cardboard piece is identical, but upside down so the mirror is at the opposite end.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this toy in our collections database.

For more toys, please visit our new exhibit titled Toys of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s now open at the History Center.

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On this date, May 27, 1930, a patent is issued to the 3M company for transparent cellophane tape, later trademarked as “Scotch Tape”. The original Scotch Tape patented in 1925 was made for masking off areas while painting cars. This special roll of Scotch Tape commemorates the 2 billionth roll made in 1957.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this roll of tape in our collections database.

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This weekend the highly anticipated (by kids and adults alike) Toys of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s exhibit opens to the public!

Item of the Day is very excited about this show and today we present a preview of one of the collection items on display (and an icon of Minnesota toy manufacture) a Tonka Toys Livestock Truck. It was made sometime in the 1950s by Tonka Toys, of Mound, Minnesota and features the classic strong metal construction.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this truck in our collections database.

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Learn about the new exhibit Toys and about which iconic toys from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s were invented right here in Minnesota. Will your favorites be among them?

Learn More:

• Visit Toys of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s
• Search for more toys in Collections Online

A Dutch student hitchhiker looking for a ride to Milwaukee near downtown St. Paul, July 18, 1950.

This image forms part of our Minneapolis and St. Paul Newspaper Negative collection. Additional photographs in this series may be available in the library, please view the finding aid here.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database.

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On this day, May 19 in 1968, Minnesota born artist Adolf Dehn died at age 72. Well known for his printmaking skills and witty depictions of high society, he twice received the Guggenheim Fellowship and traveled all over the world for his art.

The Minnesota Historical Society houses a very large collection of Adolf Dehn’s artwork including this 1950 landscape painting showing a field of grain shocks with red mountains in the background all under an expansive sky.

For more information, view this painting in our collections database.

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