Frank J. Wilstach, comp. A Dictionary of Similes. 1916.

Stale

Stale as the hot rolls dug out of Pompeii.
—Anonymous

Stale as old beer.
—Anonymous

Stale as a black velvet cloak.
—Beaumont and Fletcher

Unspeakably stale
Like vats in desuetude shrunk.
—John Davidson

Stale as custom.
—Sir Thomas More (Pseudo-Shakespearean)

Stale as sea-beef.
—Thomas Nash