Earl & Koehler
Benjamin L. Earl and Frank A. Koehler followed very different paths in life, but these paths intertwined in 1933 when Frank married Ben's eldest daughter, Margaret. Ben Earl was born in Wisconsin in 1888 and had followed his father into the carpentry trade before relocating to Portland, Oregon in 1922. Frank Koehler was a Portland native, born there in 1900. When the Great Depression forced both men to make their own employment paths, Ben and his son-in-law formed a partnership, Oregon Amusement Games, Inc. This company serviced vending machines and other coin-operated devices, which brought them both into contact with large quantities of small change at a time when coin boards were becoming quite the fad. This planted the seed of an idea that came to fruition just a few years later. The partners eventually opened a five-and-ten-cent store at 2418 N. E. Sandy Boulevard called The Viaduct, after a nearby traffic landmark, and this was later relocated a few blocks to 3701 N. E. Sandy Boulevard. In its new home, the store was renamed Boulevard Variety, and this business lasted until America's entry into World War II prompted both men to seek more lucrative employment.
At both locations Earl & Koehler produced a limited line of coin boards bearing their own names. Just three titles are known, and all examples of this brand are scarce. Most often seen are E&K boards for Lincoln Cents, and these are known with three different colors of face print. Boards are also known for Buffalo Nickels and Mercury Dimes, but these are more rare. It's likely that a board for Indian Head Cents would have been included, but the lack of a list of titles on E&K boards makes this uncertain. Since all of these coin boards are premium cards in which the prices paid by E&K for a completed board are stated on the back, it's likely that their inspiration came from the premium cards issued by Joseph Oberwise. The E&K boards appear to have been in print for a very short time, perhaps less than a year, though examples are known with either of the store addresses. All are from 1939, based on the selection of dates included.
At both locations Earl & Koehler produced a limited line of coin boards bearing their own names. Just three titles are known, and all examples of this brand are scarce. Most often seen are E&K boards for Lincoln Cents, and these are known with three different colors of face print. Boards are also known for Buffalo Nickels and Mercury Dimes, but these are more rare. It's likely that a board for Indian Head Cents would have been included, but the lack of a list of titles on E&K boards makes this uncertain. Since all of these coin boards are premium cards in which the prices paid by E&K for a completed board are stated on the back, it's likely that their inspiration came from the premium cards issued by Joseph Oberwise. The E&K boards appear to have been in print for a very short time, perhaps less than a year, though examples are known with either of the store addresses. All are from 1939, based on the selection of dates included.
Ben Earl visiting the family home in Fennimore, Wisconsin, 1948.
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Frank Koehlor, circa 1960, when he was employed as a realtor.
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This building on Sandy Boulevard was formerly the location of their variety store in Portland.
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