In utterly excellent condition with the only flaws noted being very subtle wear to spine edges and book cover tips, this version of Little Black Sambo is highly collectible as any item produced by its publisher, McLoughlin Brothers, is aggressively sought due to the company’s reputation for use of extraordinarily vivid graphics.

This wonderful 1933 Patent Dated box formerly held Sharpoint 4/8 inch Wire Cobbler's Nails, "A Perfect Clinch", manufactured by the Chas. F. Baker & Co of Boston, Massachusetts!

Look closely at the Black Gent's wide smile --- "Sharpoint Cobbler's Nails"--- is printed where the Gent's tongue should be!

Measuring 2.5 inches wide x 5 inches long x 1.25 inches high, this cardboard box remains in extraordinary condition given its age and potentially fragile paper construction medium! Other than edge wear as seen in photos and a "K7" printed on one side panel in crayon, the box remains in phenomenal condition!

In 1912, in a stroke of advertising genius, Mayo's Tobacco Company packaged their cut plug tobacco in round tins with a lithographed character. Each held 1 pound of tobacco. It was opened by removing the head!

These "Roly-Polys" were a unique shape that distinguished them from the rectangular and lunch box-shaped tins that surrounded them on store shelves. There were a number of different characters that were available, and smokers were encouraged to collect the entire set. The six original tins were the Satisfied Customer, the Storekeeper, the Singing Waiter, the Dutchman, Scotland Yard....and Mammy!

Mayo called this packaging a "Brownie" tin...apparently the company suggested that the tins be used as brownie containers after the tobacco was used, and designed them accordingly. They were never a plentiful tin, and today, are becoming increasingly more and more difficult to find.

The Mayo tobacco tins were distinguished by little packages of Mayo Cut Plug tobacco shown somewhere on the character. Notice that the Mammy tin has a tiny tobacco tin tucked into her front pocket.

Mammy's dimensions are 7"x7". She is in very, very good condition, as evidenced by the photos. The body of the tin has very minor loss to the litho-- only a speck missing here and there with very minor and subtle surface scratching (see photos). The body has some light tobacco smoke soiling, and has the appropriate wear at the contact point. The tin has no dents, repaint or corrosion.

The base of the tin is labeled "made in factory # 42, in the 2nd District of Virginia".

**Please note that it was extremely difficult to photograph the curved surface of this tin without picking up light reflection. Any white spots appearing in photos are the result of light reflection during photography and are not indicative of damage to the tin. The depth of color is much better viewed "in person" as opposed to what I was able to capture in a photo.**

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 Cotton Seller.

Vargas wax figures are distinctly characterized by their interesting but highly exaggerated facial features. The Cotton Seller wears a straw-colored hat, a blue patterned bandanna around his neck, dark pants, and a red and yellow checked shirt- all constructed of actual cloth fabric that was coated with a fine layer of clear wax to stiffen them. He carries a large sack of freshly picked cotton on his back via a rope cord wrapped around his neck while balancing yet another sack of cotton at his feet. His 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 is stamped "Genuine VARGAS New Orleans, LA".

This wonderful figure is in mint condition for his 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 Cotton Seller is most delightful- a snapshot into 1920's New Orleans cultural history!

Please see the other Vargas figure that is currently available and priced separately--type "Vargas" in the search box to quickly locate them. A photo of the other Vargas figure 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.

Bound just like a typical book, this slate was unique in that it was extremely lightweight and offered multiple surfaces on which to complete one's studies (a total of six writing surfaces including interior front and back covers and two interior pages!!). Due to the fragile nature of construction as well as the vigorous use all school slates experienced, not many of these rare slates survived.

Measuring 5 1/8 wide x 8 3/5 long (closed dimensions), the front and back boards are covered with fabric that is embossed with the name of the slate (Silica Book Slate Quartz Surface) and manufacturer info (New York Silicate Book Co).

The interior pages retain some writings that indicate that someone actually used this slate to record information as late as the 1970's!!

The little boy shuffles along quite nicely via his original wind-up mechanism.

Over 80 years old, he is still quite sturdy as he was well made, but does show some superficial scratching from use over the years.

This late 1930's toy is the later version of the two Mammy walker toys produced by this company.

Mammy shuffles along quite vigorously via her original wind-up mechanism while she holds her broom and quickly "sweeps" back and forth.

Over 70 years old, Mammy is still quite sturdy as she was well made, but she does show some scratching from play over the years as the photos indicate. Her coloring remains brilliant!

The teeny little black doll features a nicely hand-painted face with the bisque in excellent condition with the exception of the itsy-bitsy feet, the fronts of which appear to have been chipped off long ago. This imperfection was colored in with a brown paint or crayon by a previous owner so it is not readily noticeable. Neither the doll nor the peanut shells bear any manufacturer’s marks.

The 2 piece peanut shell is quite lightweight and appears to be made of layers of heat-pressed paper that was fashioned into a peanut via a mold. The two peanut shells may have been originally hinged together or perhaps the top shell merely covered the bottom. At any rate, it must be noted that the two shells pieces no longer close together easily –without forcing- which I do not find to be a detraction to the item due to its inherent rarity. The delicate peanut shells are generally in fine condition with a small tear to one edge of the bottom shell- an imperfection not apparent when the piece is displayed as this is the shell that the doll rests in.

This fabulous toy is labeled on each side of the orange wagon as follows: "HAPPY HAM FARM PRODUCTS, Newton & Thompson MFG CO, Brandon, Vermont".

The wagon is being "driven" by a hand-painted black figure who moves forward and back again as the wagon is pulled along on its wooden wheels.

In wonderful, all-original condition--no repaint or replaced wooden pieces. One little staple holding the rear axle in place appears to have been replaced as well as the little metal rod which acts as the axle holding the black boy in proper position.