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From approximately 1915 through the 1930's, Mrs. Vargas-Alphonso, influenced by the artistry of her father who also sculpted in wax, crafted a variety of wax dolls inspired by the black folk she saw on New Orleans's street corners while growing up. Sold exclusively at the time through Harriet's, of 318 Rue Royale in the French Quarter of New Orleans, the completely hand-made, one-of-a-kind dolls are seldom found on today's market due to their inherently fragile nature, making them highly sought after in the Black Memorabilia Collectible arena.
This figure, known as the Female Vegetable Seller, is one of the more difficult to find of the New Orleans street character wax dolls. Vargas wax figures are distinctly characterized by their interesting but highly exaggerated facial features. This female Vegetable Seller wears a multi-colored kerchief on her head, a red and cream polka dot scarf around her neck, a cream shirt decorated with red flowers, a blue and white polka dot apron and pale blue skirt decorated with a sea of multi-colored flowers - all constructed of actual cloth fabric that was coated with a fine layer of clear wax to stiffen them. Balanced on her arm is a removable, wax, wicker-look basket filled with cabbage, carrots and rhubarb. The Vegetable Seller's wax body is internally supported by a wire frame through which the figure is securely attached to the wooden base.
This wonderful figure is in amazing condition for her 75+ years of age with no apparent or visible imperfections other than two missing fingers on her left hand, a condition which is quite commonly found in Vargas figures. A highly collectible piece representing 1920s New Orleans's African American culture. Vargas figures are becoming increasingly more difficult to find!!
Type "Vargas" into the SEARCH box to see the other Vargas figure currently available: 1920 RARE New Orleans Vargas Wax Black Doll Female Cotton Seller+Child
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Measuring 5 1/8 inches tall with soap dish attached, Mammy's colors- her deep red dress, mustard yellow shawl, and yellow and red polka dot head scarf- remain vibrant and brilliant with a wonderful old patina! Her face features large, dark eyes and a smiling, red mouth.
The soap dish is designed to be removed, and its anchoring cast iron peg fits into a hole atop Mammy's head. The exterior of the soap dish is cast to resemble a wicker laundry basket and is painted a slightly lighter-toned, mustard yellow.
A delightful, vintage piece of early Black Americana in premium condition!
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This advertising gem was once used at the Island Pharmacy, City Island, New York, and was acquired directly from the family.
This display box measures 11"H x 9.25"W x 4.25"D, is in very good condition and sports the "WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH" cardboard label on its front. Both the display box and label exhibit age appropriate wear as noted: a few, small, top edge chips to the wood, some staining to the label as seen in photos, and the "N" in the word "BLANKS" is damaged.
This graphically appealing, vintage, advertising piece comes with a wide variety of very interesting and historic associated ephemera that serves to define the vast scope of service that Western Union provided: a 1962 CIPHER (Encoding and Decoding Card) for use with money order messages, a guideline card defining the delivery of Military Casualty telegrams, a 1949 guide card defining the Priority Order of Messages, a Standard Abbreviations Guide card, 2 cards notating New York City and Albany addresses of the main Western Union Offices in the state of New York, numerous contracts spanning multiple decades confirming the continued authorization of the pharmacy as a Western Union provider, as well as 15 colorful and unused, telegraph and cable THANKSGIVING blanks and over 40 Christmas HOLIDAY GREETINGS blanks. Also included is a 1950's, 17 page, company history given to Western Union services providers entitled, The Story of Western Union.
The City Island Pharmacy contracted with Western Union as an agent for the delivery and acceptance of telegrams and cable services from 1939 through 1972!
What a delightful advertising piece with wonderful provenance, filled with historic Western Union ephemera!
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Both the exterior and interior of the cardboard box features the well-known “running black boy logo” making this item an eye-appealing display piece!
Condition is near excellent with some age-related and expected subtle wear to corners of the box(see photos). The box remains quite structurally sound, and its condition suggests that this piece received little handling over the years. Closed, the box measures 3 1/4 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/4 inches. Bottle #1 retains 1/3 of its ink erasing solution while bottle #2's remaining contents have dried to a white powder. Quite unusual to find contents of this product intact after so many years! The paper instructional pamphlet is in mint condition absent the fold marks which allow the pamphlet to be made small enough to slip inside this diminutive box.
A must-have for the Black Memorabilia collector--particularly in this fabulous condition!!
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This sign was once hung on the outside of the railroad station stop at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, designating the section of the railroad depot where African-Americans were required to stand to wait to board the train -- and then onto a specifically designated "COLORED ONLY" railroad car.
This sign is offered to the collecting public for the first time as it was recently recovered from the attic of an early 1900's home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, that is presently undergoing restoration.
This fabulous sign is painted on both sides- white background with black lettering on the front and pale green on the back- but only the front side carries the hand-lettered "COLORED SECTION" "PINE BLUFF SECTION" lettering. If one looks closely, one can still see the pencil markings made by the painter to center the lettering on the sign.
This one-of-a-kind sign is in all-original condition and has some paint loss, crazing, nail holes, original nails, and superficial splintering to the edges of the sign as noted in photos. None of these age-characteristics impact the integrity of the sign and are more than appropriate to the age and purpose of the piece.
The sign consists of two separate pieces of wood; the first piece reading "COLORED SECTION measures 12 inches long and the second piece which denotes the physical location of this Arkansas railroad depot, reading "PINE BLUFF" with the words "SECTION" having been split off some time ago measures 7.5 inches long. The two sections need not be displayed together as the "COLORED SECTION" sign stands wonderfully on its own; the PINE BLUFF sign documents location but need not be hung if one does not wish to do so. Hooks and eyes have been added to facilitate hanging. They can be easily removed if desired.
An utterly phenomenal, extremely RARE, one-of-a-kind, museum-worthy piece of Black American history that is quite likely the only one of its kind extant today!
Please take a moment to view the other "Jim Crow" Segregationist Era signs I currently have the pleasure of offering.
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This sample size tin is in very fine condition with minimal surface wear as is evidenced by the photos. The yellow coloring is uniform--any white marks seen in photos are light reflection, not wear or damage.
This product was created by the Madam C J Walker Company of Indianapolis, Indiana, for the purpose of "brightening sallow or dark skin".
It is unknown whether the contents remain as the tin cover is tightly affixed and is immovable.
Madam C.J. Walker built a fortune in the early 1900s marketing hair care and beauty products to African-American women. Born in Sarah Breedlove 1867 Louisiana of parents who were former slaves, she moved her company to Indianapolis in 1910. When she died in 1919, Madam Walker was considered the wealthiest black woman in America. Her daughter, Lelia, succeeded her as president of the C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company.
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Included are the original box, as well as the original paper instruction booklet that depicts the "thousands of tricks" the wooden acrobats can perform!
The set of 5 black character acrobats have detachable arms and legs with lithographed paper faces and clothing. All body parts have either notched edges or sides which allow the acrobats to assume all sorts of poses. The figures are free-standing once put together as the toy also comes with wooden bases or stands to mount then upon.
This toy was likely seldom played with as the figures and booklet are in superb condition for its age! The exterior of the box -particularly the cover- shows its 80+ years with expected wear to seam edges, but it remains in sturdy condition.
A very rare toy that displays quite well- has striking, visual appeal!
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Seldom found on today's Black Americana market, this piece comes out of a Chicago estate and was said to have been used in Chicago area Black Minstrel Shows.
The FOLK ART quality painting to this authentic banjo is wonderful, with little paint wear, and it depicts a smiling, pig-tailed, black man playing the very same model banjo! The name, "JoJo" is also hand-painted in red and pink on the front of the original leather banjo case.
The banjo does not bear a maker's mark, but is stamped "patent applied for" as noted in one photo. It measures 22 inches long x 8 inches wide at its widest point. The overall condition of the piece is quite remarkable given its 85+ years of age with expected age wear.
This phenomenal piece of BLACK MEMORABILIA from the BLACK MINSTREL SHOW era remains a RARE & IMPORTANT historical artifact, and is absolutely stunning as a Folk Art display piece!
Withdrawn
Painted in tones of red, green, black and white and showing expected and appropriate age wear to the paint, this delightful wooden sculpture has been mounted onto a simple, present-day, wooden display platform.
Turn the propellers, and Mammy bends forward and back again as she scrubs her clothes on a yellow and black painted washboard that sits in an authentic looking, tin wash tub!
A very rare piece of early 20th century Americana!
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From approximately 1915 through the 1930's, Mrs. Vargas-Alphonso, influenced by the artistry of her father who also sculpted in wax, crafted a variety of wax dolls inspired by the black folk she saw on New Orleans's street corners while growing up. Sold exclusively at the time through Harriet's, of 318 Rue Royale in the French Quarter of New Orleans, the completely hand-made, one-of-a-kind dolls are seldom found on today's market due to their inherently fragile nature, making them highly sought after in the Black Memorabilia Collectible arena.
This particular figure is known as the Seated Praline Seller as her business was to sell freshly made Pralines, a candy confection composed of Louisiana cane sugar and pecans. Her basket contains Praline candy as well as Praline cookies or flatbreads.
Vargas wax figures are distinctly characterized by their interesting but highly exaggerated facial features. The Seated Praline Seller wears a vividly colorful array of different pattern fabrics which work to comprise her eye-catching costume. Atop her head, she wears a large, orange and yellow polka dot bandanna that allows a bit of her wildly-curly, white (now yellowed) hair to peek through. A blue and yellow striped bandanna is tied around her neck, and her red patterned blouse and green patterned skirt are partially protected by a rather sedate, cream-colored apron. All of her clothing is constructed of actual cloth fabric that was coated with a fine layer of clear wax to stiffen them.
Clearly this Praline Seller is quite an elderly woman, as instead of being placed in a standing pose as was typical of Vargas figures, she is carefully seated upon a large bail of cotton. She carries a straw basket containing her delicious confections on her right arm while beckoning to her potential buyers with her left hand. Her wax body is internally supported by a wire frame through which the figure is securely attached to the wooden base. The bottom of the base retains its original paper sticker which reads, "HARRIET'S, 318 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA". Harriet's Gift Shoppe was the exclusive retail outlet for the sale of Vargas figures to the public.
This wonderful figure is in mint condition for her 75+ years of age with no apparent or visible imperfections. Amazingly, all fingers and both thumbs remain perfectly intact! (The fingers are so very, very thin and fragile that they are quite easily broken.)
The Seated Praline Seller is most delightful- a snapshot into 1920's New Orleans cultural history!
Please see the other Vargas figures that are currently available and priced separately--type "Vargas" in the search box to quickly locate them. A photo of the 2 other Vargas figures currently available for purchase has been included, for the buyer's viewing convenience, in this listing.
Please note- any white or light spots noted in photos are a result of sun light glare and are not reflective or discoloration or fading.
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Given that this sign is clearly segregating services for African-American children despite the fact that this was a federal agency, one can only hypothesize that this sign was placed on the exterior of a federal building in a state that endorsed and enforced segregation.
There does exist in the Temple University archives, Philadelphia, a brief notation of a "Bureau for Colored Children", founded in 1927, as a shelter at 321 North 41st Street in Philadelphia, PA, for dependent and neglected African American children. It provided a foster care program as well as operation of a farm and vocational school for boys in Pomeroy, PA. The Bureau disbanded sometime after 1963, when The State Department of Public Welfare withdrew financial support for failure to meet standards for childcare agencies. This sign could have possibly come from that Pennsylvania agency.
A quick history of this agency drawn from the federal publication, "The Story of the Children's Bureau, 1912-2012":
At the turn of the 20th century, conditions for children in America were deplorable; 1 in 10 infants did not survive the first year of life, and very often, many children were forced to leave school to help support their families, oftentimes working under dangerous conditions.
Those who were orphaned were crowded into large institutions where they received little care or attention.
Lillian D. Wald, founder of the Henry Street Settlement in New York City, and her friend, Florence Kelley, are credited with conceiving the idea for a Federal agency to promote child health and welfare in 1903. Impressed with the concept, a friend of Wald’s wired President Theodore Roosevelt, who promptly invited the group to the White House to discuss it further.
After nearly ten years of discussions with multiple groups, committees, and individuals, as well as numerous failures of Congress to pass a federal bill addressing the plight of these children, Congress, in 1912, finally passed the Act creating the Children’s Bureau, charging it “to investigate and report . . . upon all matters pertaining to the welfare of children and child life among all classes of our people.”
President William Howard Taft signed the bill on April 9, 1912, and the agency continues its work today.
Measuring 24" wide x 18" tall, the sign features a beveled-edged, copper base mounted on a wood frame featuring approximately 3/8" high, raised, solid brass letters ranging from 2" to 3.25" tall. The copper backing is securely bolted onto the wood frame from the front with four brass bolts, one positioned at each corner, adding a decorative element to the sign. Each letter is securely screwed into the copper base from the back of the sign as seen in one of the photos. The sign is marked by the manufacturer, "ABELE" on the lower center of the base underneath the letters "L" and "D" in the word, "CHILDREN".
Fabulous patina to both the copper and brass with just a slight edge crimping below the "N" in "CHILDREN" as noted in photo. Condition consistent of a 100+ year old, extremely well-made sign that was mounted on the exterior of a building. Areas of the copper background surface that appear to be lighter in some areas and in some photos are the result of flash only; the color and patina of the copper background surface is even with consistent aging throughout.
Truly an extraordinary piece of African-American cultural history reflective of an era and time- on the Federal Level, no less- of continued ignorant, obtuse and repugnant belief and behavior.
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Measuring 4.75 inches high x approximately 3.25 inches in diameter, the container has slight scuffing to its paper cover and light rust to the base --which in the photo appears more significant than it actually is--- however, there is no problem with structural integrity to the base!
Eye-appealing with its classic "GOLD DUST TWINS" graphic!!
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In fine condition considering its 90+ years of age with superficial scratches and light superficial rusting as seen in photos. The tin retains its interior paper lining as well as two paper labels on base.
A rarely found piece of Black Memorabilia!!!
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Remaining in its original frame, this watercolor retains its vibrant color. A lovely piece of Black Americana executed with some naivete!
Please ignore any white streaks seen in photos; these are the result of light reflection off of the glass.
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This Black Porter Pushing A Wheelbarrow amazingly still retains his original, red ribbon neckerchief. The windup mechanism is intact and holds a full wind...the man's legs are a little sluggish after 90+ years, but the toy does work.
This very difficult-to-find, Black Memorabilia toy measures 6" long, is approximately 2 3/4" wide and is 6" tall. Minor rubs to paint are present as noted in photos, but this paint loss is insignificant given the age of this toy.
A fine addition to one's Black Memorabilia collection!
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This darling, all-glass piece remains in superb condition-no damage of any kind! It retains its wonderful, original satin string around the neck as well as the paper label that reads, “ Le Golliwogg, Vigny, Paris France” and features a lithograph of the Golli’s 2 black hands, positioned in such a way as to suggest that he his holding onto his big round belly!
The Golliwogg’s head is the perfume stopper (which lifts easily out of the bottle), and the facial painting/enameling remains as clear and crisp as the day it was applied! His black furry hair retains most of its original dark tones infused with shades of dark gray! The Golly’s glass collar is painted/enameled white with black lollipops and his feet are accented in black. The original paper label is completely intact.
The base of the clear glass bottle is etched but a challenge to read except under magnification or if the bottle is held up to a light bulb at a given angle. The etching reads, “FRANCE”. This bottle no longer contains perfume.
Along with photos of the Golliwog perfume is also a photo of an original 1920’s magazine advertisement for Vigny Perfumes including “Le Golliwogg”. The magazine advertisement is not available for sale and is only presented to serve as an historical reference.
A very, very special piece of Black Memorabilia that has appeal to Black Americana, perfume bottle, and Golliwog collectors alike!
Also pictured here and available for sale separately--- coming from the same estate--- is a 2.25 inch, Vigny, France, Golliwogg Perfume in Clear Glass dating post-WWI and priced at $375.00, as well as a second, 2.25 inch clear glass, 1920's, Golliwogg Perfume bottle complete with paper base label as well as a partial, original box and priced at $425.00. The clear glass perfume was the second version of the Vigny “Le Golliwogg” perfume produced from the 1920’s into the 1930’s. Type "Vigny" in the SEARCH box on our homepage to see all French Golliwogg Perfume bottles!
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In fabulous and complete, all-original condition with no repaint, replaced pieces or repairs, this rare piece is impressed on the underside of its wooden and metal dancing platform with patent date and manufacturer (see photos). The dancing man is constructed of painted wood with teeny metal nails holding his arms and legs in place; knees are jointed. Measures 7 inches tall x 7 inches in length.
An extremely rare piece of Black Americana!
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The first club is from George Nicolls and is stamped on back as follows: "HAND FORGED IN SCOTLAND" - '2 IRON' - 'CARRYING POWER 150/70Yds - and in a circular stamp 'NICOLLS INDICATOR'". The stamp of a hand palm also embellishes this nice Scotland created club. The INDICATOR model was introduced in 1926 and became very popular. The face is DOT stamped and there is a small ding on the leading edge close to the heel. Measures 36.5 inches from then end of shaft to the heel. There is slight gap between the hosel and shaft connection and ancient crimp marks on the hosel are noted. This may indicate that the shaft, while appearing period, may be an early replacement. The leather grip is in very good condition and overall the club sports a nice patina.
The second club is stamped on back with the following information: "Hillerick and Bradbys Co. Louisville, KY 'GRAND SLAM' and a stamp of a hand hold playing cards with an 'A' on the front. It is stamped with the number '5' on the sole. The 36.5 inch shaft is stamped "Made by Hillerick and Bradbys Co. Louisville, KY". A small gap is noted between the shaft and hosel. The club has a wonderful surface patina throughout and the grip is solid. The face sports a square stamped pattern.
Club number 3 is stamped on the back with the following: "G. Schmidt - NIBLICK - FORGED and the letter 'W'". The 'W' may be the owners mark. This 36.5 inch club sports a nice patina, and a good complete grip. The shaft has a barely noticeable split by the hosel. The large face has 'line' pattern stamping and the leading edge shows two honorable dings. A neat club to display!