Catalog: Vintage Arts (97)

Measuring 15.25 inches in diameter and 5.25 inches high, this magnificent and absolutely HUGE, C1920, Ohio-made, yellow ware, spongeware mixing bowl or water basin features fabulous blue sponging and is much more striking “in person” than the photos were able to capture.

The bowl sits on a 1/2” footed base and has a lovely turned edge rim. It has glaze crazing typical of an 85+ year old piece of pottery but no cracks, chips or hairlines. Remnants of gold gilt decoration along the rim still remain. Would be fabulous as receptacle for a very large plant or to hold a large water pitcher!

An outstanding piece of American Spongeware! Becoming much more difficult to find- particularly in this condition!

Please type the word "spongeware" into the Search box to find the other pieces of C1900-1920 Ohio Yellowware Spongeware currently being offered for sale. All pieces are prices separately.

19thC English instruments are noted for their high quality craftsmanship, and this suppository mold certainly meets this very high standard. Constructed of brass, this footed mold sports 5 tubes for making 2 grain suppositories.

This fine example measuring 6"L x 1.5"W x 1"H, sports a warm patina commensurate with an instrument of this age.

The mold is marked "S. MAW & SONS, THOMPSON - LONDON", a noted manufacturer of quality medical instruments and tools for many years).

Offered is a clear glass paperweight advertising the image of the fascinating "CHIEF TWO MOON" of Waterbury, Connecticut, who made and spent a fortune as a healer and manufacturer of patent and herbal medicines of questionable efficacy. This image is of the Chief proudly posing in front of one of his converted school buses that he and his salesmen used to travel in throughout New York and Connecticut hawking his popular elixirs and herbal medicines.

This handsome paperweight measures about 4.25 inches long x 2.75 inches wide x .75 inches thick. The black and white paper image is affixed to the underside of the glass. Overall, the condition is very good with some minor fading to the image front. The print on the back side of the image is quite faded and the written portion is barely discernible. No damage to the glass is noted. I am not not sure of the vintage but it has been in my collection over 15 years.

SOME HISTORY: Chief Two Moon Meridas (Ca1888–1933) was an American seller of herbal medicine who claimed that he was of Sioux ancestry. Meridas was born Chico Colon Meridan, son of Chico Meridan and Mary Tumoon; his exact place and date of birth are unclear. Later, his marriage certificate recorded his date of birth as August 29, 1888, but this information in unconfirmed.

By 1914, Meridas was selling herbal medicines in the streets of Philadelphia and New York City. In New York he met Helen Gertrude Nugent, married her, and shortly afterwards they moved to Waterbury, Connecticut, where he began to sell his herbal medicines from his house. Contemporary newspaper accounts state that during the Great 1918 Influenza Pandemic, none of his patients died! This increased his prestige and clientele. His most famous product was "Bitter Oil", a laxative that was widely marketed as a cure-all.

In 1921, Meridas moved to a larger house in Waterbury and established an extensive and prosperous herb business in a storefront at 1898 East Main Street. He built his own laboratory at 1864 East Main Street in 1925. His business increased to such an extent that he had a fleet of buses for his salesmen as well as an airplane. He took money only for his products, not his advice. He spent lavishly but also surreptitiously donated to charities and to the poor.

In 1928, The Chief was awarded the keys to Atlantic City, where he founded his Indian Temple there. Although The Chief always claimed Native American ancestry in the advertising of his products and in his personal life, the United States Department of Interior refused to certify that he was an American Indian. However, on August 6, 1930, the Oglala Lakota Sioux of the Pine Ridge Reservation awarded him the honorary title of Chief, because of the significant financial help he provided them and others during the Great Depression.

The Chief died in Waterbury at the age of 43.

Offered is a very appealing pair of Mid Century Modern, vintage-design-decorated, apothecary jars that once embellished the shelves of a Claymont, Delaware pharmacy.

Dating to the 1950s - 1960s era, this beautiful, white and cobalt blue colored pair are in excellent condition. The large jar measures 10.75 inches tall x 6 inches in diameter. The small jar measures 7.5 inches high x 4.75 inches in diameter.

Ready for display in your vintage drug store collection!

Offered is a fabulous, very early example of Tramp Art- a style of woodworking which emerged in America in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Tramp Art features the use of multiple, small pieces of wood that are whittled into layers of geometric shapes whose outside edges are then notch-carved.

This exquisite example exemplifies the early years of Tramp Art at a time when it was practiced largely by skilled craftsmen with artistic talents. Pieces from this era feature a more multi-layered, detailed technique using hard wood bases as opposed to the thin cigar box wood bases prevalent during the early 20th century through the Depression years.

This wonderful, approximate 140 year old piece features multi-layered exterior framing on all sides as well as the box cover; framing which then envelopes amazing pyramidal shapes of all sides.

The box interior is covered in a vibrant floral wallpaper, and it features a small 1.75 inch x 2 inch framed mirror on the underside of the box lid. Likely made for a female given its interior design and decoration, the box also features a functional lock with original key, to safeguard jewels and important mementos.

Measures 8.75 inches wide x 8 inches deep x 6.75 inches high. In very good condition and retaining its original finish! A few missing notch pyramid tips here and there. Just lovely!

Offered is a fabulous, early 20thC, Patent Medicine Bottle sporting the image of an old geezer - OLD HERMIT EMBRO. Wonderful label graphics! Made by OLD HERMIT REMEDY CO. SCHENECTADY, NY - LABORATORIES - SCOTIA, NY, this nostrum was primarily a remedy for a variety of lung and respiratory afflictions as seen on the label: WHOOPING COUGH, ASTHMA in addition to frostbite, sprains and more! It was quite common for early medicines to purport to have many different benefits, and the "old hermit" manufacturer capitalized upon this.

The 4.5 inch high bottle sports a corked top which is covered by a plastic seal. The highly decorative label with wonderful graphics surrounds most of this cylindrical 1 1/2 ounce bottle. The label has an amber tone color and some minor wear, scuffs and loss commensurate with its age.

An interesting addition to one's apothecary, drugstore collection.

Offered is a hard to find, vintage hand-carved and hand-painted, ice fishing fish decoy from the 1940-1950 era.

This wonderful folk art decoy was recently acquired from the collection of an 81 year old Kansas collector who stated that the decoy originated in Montana.

This delightful and visually appealing folk art beauty has been skillfully crafted and painted with lifelike details to closely reflect a real fish. In fact, this charmer has evidence of having been a working decoy as noted by the mild areas of surface rust on the tin fins and where the fishing line connects.

A loss of paint and light wear gives this work of art a wonderful vintage patina, and one large weight on the bottom provides a bit of heft. Measures 9.0 inches long x 2.0 inches wide x 2.0 inches high including the dorsal fin. Maker is unknown.

A splendid work of folk art!

Please take a moment to view our other fish decoys offered for sale by typing "decoy" into our homepage SEARCH box or by clicking on the "American Folk Art" specialty category on our homepage.

Measuring 11.5" wide x 15.75" long, this lovely, circa 1930, crosstitch cross stitch sampler depicts the history of a New York City and New Jersey family with multiple cultural nationalities displayed as well as a variety of early family occupations, significant streets, town, and structures.

Interestingly, whomever wrought this very detailed, family-history sampler omitted just one significant detail- the family surname!

On the left side of the sampler, the Scotch nationality is wrought along with the occupations of Parson and Doctor, with a 1725, antique salt box style home the domicile of the parson (?) wrought below the later 1930s domicile of the doctor (?) at New York City's Park Avenue address.

The right side of the family sampler depicts French origins with a 1777 mentor (teacher) and his red schoolhouse wrought below the 1861 farmer residing in the town of Morrisania (Morristown, NJ?).

The central aspect of the sampler depicts a number of images: a very stylish horse drawn carriage with driver and a sun umbrella--holding, female occupant, a well-landscaped, bright yellow homestead dated 1777, the nationality of "English" stitched out, and finally, a tall-spired village church with accompanying date of 1752.

The French Fleur de Lis is wrought into the sampler as well as the very ancient, stylized, so-called-today "swastika" cross, a symbol of peace and prosperity that can be traced back to ancient Byzantine times and which was frequently featured in early Native American culture as a symbol of abundance.

The sampler hem is completely hand-stitched. The sampler, itself, is in very fine condition retaining bright coloration and an absence of holes, tears or discoloration of any kind. Background color of the linen is an even, mellow, tannish-off-white.

A well-executed cross stitch sampler, an example of fabulous Americana Folk Art, which is shrouded in mystery as to family origin!

Measuring 3.5 inches long x 2.25 inches high x 1.25 inches wide, this unique and petite, highly beaded, Iroquois-made, change purse was made for the tourist market at the beginning of the 20th century.

Embellished with beaded edges, a large, 5-petal flower, and a detailed leaf on a heavy cardboard-like material that is lined with a red polished cotton, the little purse closes via a hook and eye closure.

It is in overall fine condition with expected creasing given its 100+ years of age as seen in photos, as well as some loose beadwork and a small amount of missing beadwork to the bottom center.

Offered is a very nice set of brass weights manufactured by Fisher Scientific Co., dating to the turn of the 20th century.

The weights are housed in a fitted, hard wood case that appears to be maple, and it includes a brass tweezers for securing the six individual milligram weights. Also included are eight of the nine brass matching weights, with only the 1mg weight missing.

The wooden case measures 6 inches long x 2.5 inches wide x 1.5 inches high and sports a metal label on top. Condition is very good with the finish and wear commensurate of a used antique collectible.

Offered are two fabulous Arlington Chemical Company Diagnostic Allergen Test Kits which were used to test skin sensitivity or allergy to a wide variety of potential allergans. The two boxed sets date to the 1940s - 1950s era and are in very nice condition. Both boxes are covered in a grained, leather-like material. The larger box shows wear as seen in the photograph.

The larger boxed set contains 38 vials which are nearly empty and sport complete paper labels. There are 2 missing vials from this kit. It measures 6" long x 5" wide x 1.5" high. The inside cover of this larger boxed set lists the names of the 38 allergens contained in the kit.

The small boxed set contains 28 corked top vials which have the same type paper labels as found in the larger kit. This kit measures 5" long x 2" wide x 1.5" high and is missing (or never had) 8 vials.

These skin sensitivity testing kits contain vials which are specific to the southern California area.

A scarce duo indeed!

For your consideration are two, difficult to find, CANINE, veterinary medicine texts published in the first quarter of the 20th century!

Presented first is "DR. LITTLE'S DOG BOOK", with an original copyright of 1924 - this being a second printing from May 1925. It features 345 pages that include seven photos along with some illustrations depicting dog care. The contents covered in this text are vast with chapters discussing the history of the dog, their care, diet, training, as well as canine diseases and their treatment. A very comprehensive, early volume!p> The condition of "DR. LITTLE'S DOG BOOK" is good with a solid binding, one loose photo in the front pages and one moderately torn (but complete) photo of a terrier (pg 38), some mild yellowing and slight foxing to the pages, and wear and fading to the cover commensurate for a book 95 years of age. Measures approximately 8.5"L x 5.75"W x 1.5"H.

The second book offered is a nice 1915 edition of "KENNEL DISEASES", by "ASHMONT", containing 424 pages. This volume includes one photo and a few illustrations and is packed with information dealing with all manner of kennel diseases including symptoms, nature, causes and treatment. Quite comprehensive and a fabulous resource.

The condition of this book is good with a tight binding, and yellowing and some foxing to pages. Overall wear is quite light especially given the book's 100 years of age. Measures 9.5"L x 7"W x 2"H.

The two texts are offered as a pair for $75.

Offered is Dr. C.H. Fitch's Prescription Scale-- a wonderful, early, pharmacist/doctor, portable, pocket-sized, Victorian era scale! The fancy-scrolled and embellished metal case appears to be brass with nickel plating and reads, "Dr. C.H. Fitch's Prescription Scale Pat Sept 29th 1885" on the top.

The diminutive metal case with scale inside measures approximately 1.5" wide x 2.75" long x .75" deep and is in very nice, original condition. The scale's capacity is 1/2 to 20 grains. It was manufactured by the N.V. Randolph Paper Box Company, Richmond, VA.

****NOTE****There is no damage to the scale or case and no missing components! The original spatula, which is sometimes lost over the years, is present and completes this very handsome, visually-appealing piece!

Some history: Joseph Williamson Randolph (1815-1893) established his business as publisher, bookseller, and stationer in Richmond, Virginia, in 1831. By the early 1840s, he had formed a partnership with Joseph J. English, and the firm became one of the leading book dealers in the South by the time of the Civil War. After Randolph's death, his son, Norman Y. Randolph, operated the business until it passed into receivership. Norman Randolph was, at various times, president of the Randolph Paper Box Company, the Virginia State Insurance Company, and the Warwick Park Transportation Company. He also served as secretary-treasurer of the Virginia and North Carolina Wheel Company.

Offered is a C1900, artistically-executed, hand-painted and hand-stenciled, wooden veterinary medicine advertising sign entitled "TRY VARNUM'S SPAVIN CURE".

The term Bone Spavin refers to the development of arthritic or degenerative changes that create bony growths effecting the lower joints of a horse and often resulting in lameness.

This very unusual sign measures 42" L x 6"W and is in very good condition. The wood demonstrates a few faint hairline, length-wise splits that do not go through the wood, and thus, do not effect sign integrity. Two hooks on the top of the sign facilitate hanging.

Measuring a diminutive 2 inches in diameter and in near mint condition, this interesting and unusual celluloid advertising pocket mirror features a person dosing with a magical "Nature's Remedy" tablet! (**Please note that any white spots in the photos are light reflections ONLY and not damage to the mirror.**)

The mirror front has a age-faded salmon colored border surrounding an image of a person's face with protruding tongue, about to swallow a "NR" (Nature's Remedy) tablet. The fading makes it a challenge to read the following which is imprinted around the circumference of the mirror: "Take One Tonight - You'll feel Better In The Morning."

AND....

"Better Than Pills For Liver Ills - Get a 25 Cent Box"

Original mirrored backing is in very fine condition with just a few very minute, superficial scratches.

Manufacturer name stamped on bottom edge: "Parisian Novelty Company, Chicago".

An interesting little advertising piece!

This is an unused, "New Old Stock", Pharmacy or Drug Store display from the 1940-1950's era. It is complete with 16 full boxes of "THRIOCAIN LOZENGES". The pink tablets are inside a plastic tube which was prepared for and labeled "James' Drug Co., New London, CT".

This diminutive size display measures 6.25" x 3.75" x 2" closed and is in very nice condition except for some unobtrusive ink scribbling appearing mostly on the top. The cover lifts up to facilitate the advertising of this product and would have been placed on the counter top of a pharmacy in this fashion. A neat find!

Offered for your consideration is a fabulous set of three, 1910, Anatomical Charts of the Skeleton, Muscles, and the Circulatory system.

Complete, National American Red Cross anatomical charts of this early 20th Century time period are quite an unusual find in today's market. Charts such as these were a frequently referenced visual aide for both the medical and nursing student, and due to this frequent educational use, not many have survived.

These wonderfully detailed teaching charts each measure 28.25" high x 20" wide and (to the best of our knowledge) are made of a wax-coated, heavy-weight, linen canvas. The top and bottom only of each chart are framed by black painted, wooden supports designed to facilitate the hanging of each chart.

The condition of each chart demonstrates mild crackling of surface and light wear and tear, as well as discoloration consistent with their 100+ years of age. Slight, unobtrusive loss of fabric is also apparent. Overall, the condition and patina of these charts are commensurate with vintage teaching tools that had been frequently referenced.

The charts are published by P. BLAKISTON'S SON & CO., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1880, this company focused its production upon the publication of high quality medical and scientific books, charts, and graphs.

Offered is a wonderful, circa 1920's, John Wyeth apothecary bottle sporting a fancy, shield-shaped, foil label, Elixir Phenobarbitol.

Decorative stock bottles such as this beauty were meant to be refilled and reused and were the pride of the pharmacy staff. Eye-catching, reflective medicine bottles such as these also served as an advertising mechanism as they often were placed prominently in pharmacy windows to attract passers-by.

This 8.5 inch, amber, wide-mouth example reveals ground glass construction and dates to the 1920's era.

The condition of this empty bottle is excellent with only a tiny edge fleck of the back lip. The ground glass stopper cannot be removed and appears perfect. The front label shows light wear and staining commensurate with age and use. Although the label appears silver in the photos, it is more of a GOLD-toned foil. The back label has modest wear and staining.