It started as a faded, antique suitcase long forgotten in a storage room at the Salvation Army Sally Shop in Downtown Hilo.
The suitcase was donated at least a year ago, employees think, but it was locked and no one was able to open it.
So, it sat on a shelf collecting dust until a couple of weeks ago, when employees stumbled across it once again while cleaning.
“It was actually our area manager who came to visit one day and went into that room, which we were making part of the sales floor once again,” said Sheena Pascubillo, store manager of the Sally Shops in Hilo and Kona. “So, he found it and was like, ‘Oh, what’s in there?’ He opened it — using something to pick the lock — and was like, ‘Oh my goodness.’ It was insane. We had no idea what was inside.”
Employees discovered a collection of at least 12 well-preserved newspapers documenting landmark historic events from the 20th century.
Among them were editions of the Honolulu Advertiser, the Hilo Tribune-Herald and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Several document events in John F. Kennedy’s life, starting with his election through his assassination. At least six date from March 12, 1959, to Aug. 21, 1959, and report about Hawaii’s admission as the 50th state. Hawaii was granted statehood Aug. 21, 1959.
In celebration of Statehood Day on Friday, the Sally Shop put up for sale those six papers reporting about the event, marked at 50 percent off. Papers will remain at the store at full price — $200 each — in the same, dated suitcase they arrived in.
“They’ve definitely been generating a lot of interest,” Pascubillo said Friday. “I’ve been trying to be careful about who’s handling what. I was even thinking, ‘Maybe everyone should be wearing gloves.’”
The store still doesn’t know who donated the papers or why. Papers were taken to the Tribune-Herald for authentication, Pascubillo said, and all appear to be genuine, excluding a blue booklet called “A Special Statehood Edition,” which she was told is probably a reproduction.
The papers are remarkably preserved, which Pascubillo thinks is probably because they’ve been kept in the suitcase. The newest newspaper dates to the 1970s, she said.
“I’m guessing whoever put it there just closed the suitcase and forgot about it,” she said.
Early Friday morning, the newspapers appeared to be generating some buzz. Employees said at least one person stopped in specifically to check them out.
Among those impressed with the display was Hilo resident Hal Glatzer, 70, a reporter at the Tribune-Herald from 1971-74. Glatzer said he was impressed by the condition of the papers. Humid climates, particularly at sea level, can wreak havoc on old paper, he said.
“I think it’s wonderful,” Glatzer said. “The library probably has these on microfilm, which will last a little longer, but some people like the feel of old paper. There’s something to it and something very tactile. You can smell old paper, and it’s very compelling.”
Email Kirsten Johnson at kjohnson@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
