Catalog: Archives: Collectibles (190)

Offered is an extraordinarily RARE, pre-Civil War, Negro slave document from Decatur County, Georgia, dated May 1837.

This document is an exceptionally rare piece of historical ephemera in that it is the actual, formal and legal lawsuit filed by slave owner, Esther Miller, along with 25 other named male citizens of Decatur County, Georgia, against one Cader Powell for the "offense of beating, whipping, and assaulting a slave without sufficient provocation."

The document goes on to state that Cader Powell assaulted "a certain male slave named Issac (property of Esther Miller) with sticks, fists, cow pokins, and other dangerous weapons and then did unlawfully whip beat him, so that the healthy body of service of said slave was greatly injured without sufficient provocation being first given by said slave to the great annoyance of the said Esther Miller, the lawful owner of said slave..."

While one would like to think that this formal lawsuit was filed as a result of the tremendous outrage against humanity felt by the 26 parties bringing the suit, one has to consider that this lawsuit was more likely filed due to financial considerations--that the cruelly assaulted slave, Issac's, monetary value as owned, usable property was greatly diminished as a result of his beating. It is quite reasonable to infer that the slave, Isaac, suffered permanent physical injury as a result of his beating and that his monetary worth was thus, permanently devalued.

Regardless of the motivation behind the filing of the lawsuit, to find such extant documentation describing the conditions of southern slavery as well as the objection of slave-owners to the cruel and inhumane treatment of a slave is rare indeed.

The document remains in excellent, all-original condition. It measures 7.75 inches wide x 9.75 inches long.

Published in 1938, by Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston & New York, this seldom-found, children's book tells of the misadventures of little Epaminondas, who despite his Mammy's attempts to instruct him otherwise, has much difficulty successfully navigating the day without getting into some sort of trouble. Poor Epaminondas cannot do anything right!

Measuring 6.75 inches wide x 8 inches long, the book is illustrated in both black silhouette and colored, line drawings. 16 pages long. Great condition-- tight binding, no tips or missing pages, clean. Cloth-bound hard covers.

A delightful addition to one's Black Memorabilia collector!!

Offered is a rarely found, copyright 1910, Milton Bradley Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, dexterity game entitled "Ring A Pin".

The game features a wooden target with a brightly colored, paper lithograph depicting nine different male faces, including that of an African-American with exaggerated facial features. The target is in very good condition with some minimal surface soiling and paper loss. It retains its original, orange wooden stands.

Each gentleman sports a metal hook from his mouth upon which one is to attempt to toss a very small ring. NOT an easy task by any stretch!

This brightly lithographed game retains four, original, celluloid-like throwing rings. The game directions, which are printed on the back side of the box cover, do not specify the number of rings that were originally included in the game, so it is not known if four was the original number. The game box cover, featuring the original paper lithograph, no longer retains its sides. The cover lithograph is in good condition given its 103 years of age with small areas of surface loss, some tiny rips and missing paper segments, and some light pencil writing evident.

The game box measures 6 1/2 inches tall x 9 1/2 inches wide x 2 inches deep.

The game cover as well as the target piece displays absolutely wonderfully! A RARELY found, quite visually captivating, Black Memorabilia collectible!

Measuring 6 1/4 inches high x 3 3/4 inches wide, this circa 1950's, Japan made, Polka Dot, Mammy String Holder is in very fine condition! Mammy has expected crazing to surface with two very tight hairlines that start at the backside of the piece and feather slightly toward Mammy’s two shoulders about ½ inch. At the lower base of the back is another tight hairline that remains on the back side of the piece only, not extending toward the front of the piece. It rests beside a tiny, darkened, superficial flake which also is not visible when Mammy is placed on a shelf or hung on the wall.

The String Holder is stamped "JAPAN" and “Theo Hinode” on the inside of the base (The Hinode Company is the Japanese Ceramic Company.). Mammy has a hole in the center of her chest area, just above her folded hands, to accommodate the string which would be pulled from the ball of string placed inside her body from the back of the piece. This wonderful piece even comes complete with vintage hanging string---Mammy has two holes at the back of her head to accommodate this! The entire piece is glazed with the exception of Mammy's red kerchief which is cold-painted (meaning that the paint was applied after firing). As such, this area of paint would be the most vulnerable to wear, and Mammy does have some “bald areas” where the paint has come off her kerchief. Please take a moment to view all photos to ascertain condition and appeal of this fabulous and functional, vintage string holder!

A lovely and colorful piece that can be displayed on a shelf or hanging from the wall!

Measuring 5.25 inches high x 6.50 inches wide, this near mint, three piece, Black Mammy and Chef Oil and Vinegar Cruet was produced in 1940s Japan.

The bodies are one single piece with one hand each on Mammy and the Chef that serve as stoppers for the two pouring spouts. The piece is marked with a "V" for Vinegar and an "O" for Oil on each arm. Very sweet faces!

All original with no breaks, cracks, repaint or repairs, the cruet retains the original corks as well! In truly lovely condition with just one scrape to the red paint under the chef's left arm and some missing paint spots on his right arm. (see photos) Otherwise quite perfect, and displaying very, very well!!! An eye-catching piece!!!

Pickaninny Brand Peanut Butter was produced in the 1920's by the F.M. Hoyt Company of Amesbury, Massachusetts, that guaranteed the quality of its peanut butter. Its sales slogan was: "Packed For Those Who Appreciate Quality".

The company's logo featured a very young, African-American girl in a red dress, eating peanut butter out of the tin pail while her cloth doll rested on her lap. The words: "A.C. CO OF MASS." appear in the tiniest letters below the words "Peanut Butter" on one side of the pail, likely the local manufacturer of the tin pail for the F.M. Hoyt Company. Impressed into the base of the tin is the word: "CANCO".

Measuring 3 3/8" tall x 3.75" wide, this highly collectible, 1 pound size, Black Americana tin scores an 8 out of 10 condition rating. The tin features two very strong images on front and back and retains both its original cover and bail handle. The tin evidences various areas of slight paint loss and surface wear. There are no dents or cracks, the cover has a few subtle dings (indentations) on its top, and light tarnishing is evident on the tin base and interior along with faint superficial rust. Overall great condition with wear to this tin quite commensurate with its 100+ years of age.

This tin also was produced in a 3 pound size intended for commercial use. Both sizes are equally scarce and sought after! A wonderful addition to an advanced Black Memorabilia collection!

An interesting historical side-note: a member of this same Hoyt family, John, was among the first eighteen settlers of the area which came to be known as Amesbury, Massachusetts, back in 1654!

Measuring a diminutive 4.50 inches wide x 2.25 inches long x 1.5 inches high, this very early, metal, circa 1900, Diamond Match Co. box is very rarely found on today's market.

The box is in very good condition for its 100+ years of age with teeny tiny chips to the surface as noted in photos.

The box features an incredibly detailed graphic on its cover depicting an African-American family gathering around the patriarch as he readies to strike a match for the very first time.

Entitled "Their First Box of Drawing Room Matches. Paterfamilias: You chillin keep back deah! You want you heads blowed off'n you shouldus?"

A fabulously rare piece for the serious collector!

This fabulous 1930's American Beach cast iron sign reading "AMERICAN BEACH FLA Negro Ocean Playground" is in very fine condition with remnants of original paint and vintage patina. This is NOT a reproduction! This sign was originally sold to be used as a license plate topper by African American folks frequenting this beach. It measures 11 inches in length x 4.50 inches high at its tallest point.

American Beach was established in 1935 on Florida's east coast under the leadership of Abraham Lincoln Lewis, one of seven co-founders of the Afro-American Life Insurance Company, and one of Florida's first black millionaires. His vision was to create a beach resort as a benefit for company executives and as an incentive for employees.

In the era of Jim Crow segregation laws, few public places in Florida or the rest of the South were open to African Americans. From the Depression until well into the 1960's, American Beach served as a holiday and vacation destination for thousands of African Americans, and was a magnet for black celebrities such as entertainers Cab Calloway and Ray Charles, heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis and writer Zora Neale Hurston.

But in 1964, the area began to decline. Hurricane Dora destroyed much of the beach, and passage of the Civil Rights Act meant that blacks were, finally, no longer restricted to segregated beaches and the businesses that catered to them.

A fabulous and historically relevant piece of Black Americana!

Measuring 4 1/4 inches in diameter x 1 1/8 inches high x 6 inches long, this fabulous, circa late 19th Century, solid brass Native American and African American SLAVE FACE Bowl is an extraordinarily RARE find! The craftsmanship and detailing of the bowl is superb!

It is quite the extraordinary find to discover any Black Memorabilia item reflecting the common but not widely acknowledged practice of interracial marriage among the indigenous Native American and the freed/slave African American population in 18th and 19th century Southern New England coastal towns and cities that were part of the Slave/Sugar/Rum Trade Triangle of the era. Rightfully viewed as a museum piece, this finely-executed figural bowl is certainly reflective of a unique and little known aspect of African American as well as Native American History!

The bowl is in utterly pristine condition with no faults other than expected age patina to the surface. There are no markings on this piece which appears to be hand forged given the subtle asymmetry of the overall shape of the bowl as well as the detailing of the facial features.

This truly unique and rare item would be an important addition to the serious collector’s Black Americana collection!

Protected in a 12 ¾ x 22 ½ inch, gold and green painted wood frame, this authentic GOLD DUST Trolley Sign was manufactured by the N.K. Fairbanks Company in 1921!

GOLD DUST Trolley Signs are a very rare find in today’s market as they were made of cardboard, a material much less likely to withstand the test of time as opposed to tin advertising signs which were much sturdier!

This Gold Dust trolley sign features the Gold Dust Twins busily scrubbing a bathtub in a gleaming blue-green tiled bathroom! On a stool to the left, sits a large, opened box of Gold Dust Washing Powder. The advertisement proclaims in yellow-outlined, navy blue lettering: “Kept Clean with Gold Dust”.

The Gold Dust sign is marked, “Copyright 1921 The N.K. Fairbanks Company.” in the lower left hand corner. In the lower right hand corner, the following appears: “G.D.115 10-21. 64”.

The condition of this trolley sign is truly quite fine. Colors are very strong and consistent throughout; please ignore the various glass reflections seen in some of the photos- they were unavoidable and do appear to make the colors appear faded—which is inaccurate! The sign is free of rips or tears although it does have two surface abrasions at the lower left near the Twins where a top layer of paper is missing- looks as though this occurred long ago when some tape was removed. Some light dirt marks are also seen near the lower twin and between the letters G & O in the word “GOLD”. They are unobtrusive and do not detract from the wonderful image this sign conveys.

An unusual opportunity to acquire a very RARE piece of Black Americana !!

Please take a moment to view the circa 1910-1920 GOLD DUST Scouring Powder can filled with original contents-never opened- that I also have available for purchase as of this writing.

Measuring 9 inches high, these delightful examples of Folk Art styling, are two of a series of Black cloth character dolls made in Alabama in the 1930’s by unknown craftsmen/women.

It has been noted that their creation was encouraged through President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Depression era program, the Work Projects Administration (WPA), in existence from 1935-1943. The WPA was designed to provide jobs across the country during the Great Depression. While most jobs were in construction and infrastructure, the most well-known project arm of the WPA, known as Federal Project Number One, employed musicians, artists, writers, actors and directors in arts, drama, media, and literacy projects. The five projects assigned to this consortium were: the Federal Writers’ Project (FWP), the Historical Records Survey (HRS), the Federal Theatre Project (FTP), the Federal Music Project (FMP), and the Federal Art Project (FAP). The creation of these dolls fell under the WPA Federal Art Project, with the goal of representing the various aspects of the culture, work and lives of the Southern black community of this time period.

The doll clad in all black depicts the VERY rarely-found, black country preacher out for an afternoon stroll with his wooden walking stick in one hand and the Holy Bible clutched in the other. The preacher wears a machine-stitched suit thoughtfully detailed with fine, white shirt cuffs poking out from beneath his jacket and the white Reverend's collar at his neck. His left shoe reveals a hole with a sock-covered toe poking through! The preacher's stove-pipe-style hat is placed snugly on his head covering most of his gray hair although his full gray facial beard features prominently. His embroidered facial features, characteristic of these WPA dolls, are further accented with "steel-rimmed" style eye glasses. The 1.5 square inch bible actually has real pages! Also characteristic of this type of doll is a small square of asphalt shingle glued to the feet to serve as a stand. The doll's body is well-stuffed with cotton batting and he stands freely.

The gray-hair and bearded, chicken-toting black country gent doll is also attired in machine-stitched clothing and additionally shares a cotton-bating stuffed body, embroidered facial features, and an asphalt shingle tile stand. He wears cotton britches detailed with double knee patches and suspenders along with a blue and cream striped cotton shirt and a red and white polka dot kerchief around his neck. His hat is constructed of black-colored felt. This country gent holds a finely crafted and detailed brown chicken under his right arm, while his left hand clutches a wooden walking stick.

Two very special dolls that represent a snapshot of history, capturing the lives of poor Southern black folk of the Depression era.

The dolls are priced at $295.00 each.

Offered is an ULTRA-RARE, UNCUT, 1924, COMPLETE SET of the FOUR members of the Aunt Jemima Rag Doll Family---Aunt Jemima, Uncle Mose (Aunt Jemima's Husband-- so labeled on his upper back), Little Diana, and Wade Davis.

The dolls were conceptualized as advertising pieces and were only obtainable from the Aunt Jemima Mills of St. Joseph, Missouri, in return of 25 cents in stamps or coins along with 4 box tops or backs from select Aunt Jemima products (proofs of purchase!). Dolls were then shipped promptly, postpaid upon receipt!

I have never come upon a complete, uncut set!!! Rather, these dolls are more typically found as "singletons" here and there by chance-- already cut, sewn, stuffed and played with as opposed to the pristine, complete, uncut versions offered here.

The set is in quite wonderful condition given its 93 years of age. The color of each doll remains amazingly crisp and brilliant! Mild foxing is noted here and there throughout. Fold lines are evident as well; HOWEVER, it must be noted that these fold marks are the result of ORIGINAL PACKAGING and SHIPMENT as these linen pieces were carefully folded to fit within a simple, small to medium-sized envelope when mailed out from the factory.

Additionally, a prior owner likely had framed these pieces as mild tape staining is noted on the backsides of each piece of linen, with some mild, tape-stain, bleed-through noted at the feet of Uncle Mose and Aunt Jemima on the front side. The set is truly in fine condition given its age and was obviously prized and very well cared for over the years.

Each figure is printed on its own, separate piece of linen. Aunt Jemima measures 10.5" wide by 35" long; Uncle Mose measures 10" wide by 35" long; Diana and Wade each measure 12.5" wide by 17.5" long.

A rare opportunity for the advanced collector to acquire an uncut, complete set of 1924, Aunt Jemima Family Advertising Rag Dolls!

This offering will be sold as a complete set ONLY; offers for individual pieces will not be entertained.

Measuring 6 inches high, this highly sought after Black wax figure which is mounted on its original wooden platform, is one of a series of fascinating "street character wax dolls" conceived of and crafted by Mrs. Conception Vargas Alfonso, daughter of the world-renowned, turn-of-the-century-New Orleans, Spanish sculptor, Francisco Vargas.

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 Ole Charley who, severely bent over with age, was once a well known figure in the Vieux Carre.

Vargas wax figures are distinctly characterized by their interesting but highly exaggerated facial features. Ole Charley wears a yellow hat with blue band, a red patterned neck scarf, a yellow flowered shirt and blue jeans- all constructed of actual cloth fabric that was coated with a fine layer of clear wax to stiffen them. He supports all of his weight with an actual stick cane! His 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 very fine condition for his 75+ years of age with the following imperfections: missing left-hand fingers with present left thumb (an unfortunate, but extremely common consequence of time), a chip out of his yellow hat (which actually looks appropriate to the character!!) and a re-molded right hand- a repair made long ago. There is a spot of old glue on the base which suggests that something might be missing- a small stool perhaps? Regardless of his imperfections, his brilliantly executed face and his incredibly realistic pose is most delightful- a snapshot of New Orleans history!

Please see the other two Vargas figures that are currently available. One is depicted in the group photo and all are priced separately. Please note that the Vegetable Seller (with basket) has been sold.

Please note- photos were taken outside in natural sunlight. Any white or light spots on the figure are a result of sun glare and are not reflective or discoloration or fading.

Rarely found in today's collector's market and measuring just 4 inches wide x 4.5 high, this early cast iron still bank was produced in England in the 1930s by Chamberlain & Hill. Buyer beware: this is NOT a reproduction!!! Reproductions have the words "Made in England" impressed into the back of the hat as well as a paint distinction: only the "whites" of the eyes are painted white on a reproduction versus the painting of the entire eyelid area on legitimate, vintage cast iron banks (see my photos).

This silly caricature bank features a black man's head mounted on two little feet- no body! He wears a red hat labeled, "Save and Smile Money Box" impressed across the front rim. This two piece mold has a coin slot on the top of the back of the head. The bank would have to be unscrewed to be emptied.

This all original still bank is in very fine condition with most of its paint remaining intact- no repaint!! A must-have for the serious still bank or Black Memorabilia collector!!

A wonderful, rare, soft cover book by Ida Chubb, copyrighted 1929 by Whitman Publishers and measuring 9.5 x 12.5 inches.

Fabulous colored illustrations as represented by photos adorn this 19 page book! Ten to eleven darling little poems and/or short stories are written in "dialect", reflective of the Caucasian cultural mores of the period.

Interior pages are in fine condition--they are tightly bound together with the 3 original staples and remain brilliantly colored; front and back covers have loosened from these interior pages, and the covers have been taped along the exterior spine in a failed attempt to keep them attached to the tightly bound interior pages. The covers have edge wear, small edge creases, and surface scuffing with minor surface paper loss here and there (see photos). Additionally, the front cover has a small remnant of an old paper sticker in the upper right quadrant.

A charming addition to one's Black Americana collection!!

Offered are 3 nice hand forged golf clubs sporting hickory shafts. Included are clubs from Nicolls of Scotland, Hillerick and Bradbys Co. from the USA, and G. Schmidt. All 3 clubs date to the 1920s and are in good condition.

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!

Offered is an 1809, Augusta, Georgia, slave document - a Bill of Sale between John Woolfolk of Edgefield District, South Carolina, to Thomas Cumming of Augusta for a total of three slaves, all of whom were related: an adult woman named Judy, who was a seamstress, and her two children, Eliza and Edward.

This document is quite unusual in that it was generally atypical that slave families were permitted to remain together when a slave sale was conducted, regardless of the age of any children involved.

The single page, 15.5" wide x 19" long document was folded in half by its author, and the bill of sale is written out on one side of the folded page (see photos). The folded page was then flipped over, folded into thirds, and the title of the document was written out: "Bill of Sale John Woolfolk, Edgefield District. S.C. (South Carolina) for Judy- a Seamstress Edward (and) Eliza her children".

The text of the Bill of Sale reads as follows, First Paragraph:
"Augusta the 8th June 1809, Received from Thomas Cumming, Six hundred Dollars, being the consideration money infull for the following negro slaves sold and delivered to him this day. Judy a woman of about 21 years old Edward a Boy of about three years old and an infant female, named Eliza, Both Children of the said Woman Judy, which Said three negroes, Judy, Edward and Eliza, I do hereby warrant and defend against the claims of all persons whomsoever"

Second Paragraph:
"Given under my hand and seal the day and date first above written."
"John Woolfolk"

Condition of this slavery document is quite remarkable given its 213 years of age! Expected age-related discoloration of paper and slight (approx 3/4 inch)paper split at one end of one fold only. (see photos)

This stately, titled, English Staffordshire figure of a seated Uncle Tom and Little Eva was produced circa 1855. Inspired by Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1853 publication of her controversial “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, the figure depicts the gentle Uncle Tom bouncing his little mistress, Miss Eva, on his knee.

The figure is decorated in underglaze black, measures 9 inches high, and is in perfect condition with the exception of expected and appropriate superficial crackling to the glaze, and a shallow and very tight, early hairline to the back of the figure at its base. It is titled “Uncle Tom & Eva” on the front base.

An very exceptional piece of Black Memorabilia for the discriminating collector.