Plainfield on eBay: Old Matchbooks, Photographs -- Even Land -- for Sale

While nosing around on eBay the other day (yes, journalists can procrastinate with the best of them while waiting for the muse to strike), we decided on a whim to type in “Plainfield IL.”

We expected we might turn up one or two items, and were surprised when instead we got 22 hits.

Perhaps the most interesting item was a parcel of land off Route 126, which the seller described as both “less than a mile” from downtown and “right off” Interstate 55. Hmmm. The asking price is $94,900, but there’s been only one offer since the ad was posted in March.

The best part of the entry: “Will possibly trade for high-end boat, RV, or exotic and classic muscle cars.”

Tough times call for thinking outside of the box. 

What else did we find?

• Two old photographs from around 1900 – one of a Model T convertible and the other of a woman in long white dress and bonnet being pushed in a swing. They’re yours for $19.99 each or make an offer to “thepenndutchman.” But buyer beware: the latter photo is identified as Plainfield and then later described as being taken in Wauconda. You’ll have to ask the Dutchman which it is.
• A 1999 Matchbox collectible Plainfield Police Department D.A.R.E. car. Price: $9.99.
• A copy of The Enterprise newspaper from Feb. 1, 1978.  The main headline: “CD Helps Many During Snowstorm.” Stop the presses! The paper back then cost 15 cents; today’s eBay asking price is $1.29.
• 1964 and 1965 Plainfield Plainsman year books, complete with autographs: $29 each.
• A matchbook from the 1960s advertising the Plainfield Savings & Loan Co. at 601 Illinois St. Alas, no matches remain. Price: $3.99.
• A postcard of the Continental Can Co.’s Hazel-Atlas Glass Division research lab in Plainfield, circa 1950? Price: $5.50.
• Baseball cards for Jason Shelley’s 2003 year with the Rockford Riverhawks ($12.99) and for Marc Lewis’ 2007 season with the Jamestown Jammers ($3.69). Both players were Plainfield natives.
• A set of Plainfield High School yearbooks from 2001 to 2004. They were $24.99 each, but they’re on sale for $16.24 or “best offer.”
• A Plainfield Police Department patch at a not-bad price of $4.50.
• A T-shirt company willing to make “Plainfield IL” T-shirts in any number of colors and designs for just $9.99 each.