Ransom Riggs

You find a lot of junk when you're searching through lost and tossed photo ephemera, but every so often you'll find a gem, a wallet-sized masterpiece you're certain could hang on the wall of a gallery if only someone with a name had taken it. Find one or two of those and you're hooked for life.

American Writer

Jim Goldberg

Since 1970, I've been using text and ephemera as well as photographs in order to tell stories of one kind or another. There's a thread that runs through all the work that is to do with bearing witness. The photographs are about asking questions, though, not answering them.

American Photographer

Travis Knight

We don't want to make little pop culture ephemera or confections, that sort of thing, and so 'ParaNorman' like 'Coraline' has something meaningful to say.

American Producer

Louise Wilson

I've always spent money on books. I've always enjoyed handling books - the size, the format. I feel very strongly about original ephemera.

British Educator

Maira Kalman

My workspace is defined by books, ephemera, quiet and light. I don't have a computer, telephone or a fax machine there.

American Author

Rachel Maddow

I have a file of letters and bits of ephemera from friends who have died. I have had lots of friends who died of AIDS.

American Journalist

Used to describe something that won't last long, often with little long-term importance.

Short-lived

Refers to items not meant to be kept; they are often discarded after use.

Not for keeps

Items once considered disposable now valued for their historical or personal interest.

Collectors’ items

Such items can offer insights into the lifestyle and culture of the past.

Preserving history

In science, commonly refers to organisms with a very brief life cycle.

Biology specific

Metaphorically speaks to the fleeting nature of life and its moments.

Ephemera