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A premium premium from L.R. Chelf, Knifley, KY 2011-05-08 - Old Knifley, District 6, Adair Co., KY - Photo by Ed Waggener. Bob Chelf, Carmel, IN owns this wonderful lagniappe from our Grandfather Lee Roy Chelf's store at Knifley. As far as we are concerned, it is as valuable as it looks. At first glance, the paper insert makes it appear as a simple, el cheapo do it yourself doodad. But the embellishments and fine craftsmanship make it appear as something of great value, even in the early 1900s when this was handed out. After carrying the purse for many months, I just noticed that the insert says, at the top, "I have paid my account in full," above "L.R. Chelf's," which would set this apart as a premium premium, reserved for those who actually paid him for the merchandise received, after telling him and the children who ran the store, over the course of many months, "Put that down," as they exited the store with goods in hand but no ready payment. And the purchase was laboriously handwritten in a big ledger book, which automorphed into a family's book of dreams. -Ed Waggener Permalink | Comments?

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