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This great piece is in very nice condition with the exception of a light spider hairline to the GLAZE ONLY of the top of the chef hat. The spider does not penetrate to the ceramic. He also has two very tiny edge flea bites by his shoes. Other than these very minor obtrusions, this wonderful piece remains free of other fleabites or hairlines as well as free of repaint, paint wear, or repairs.
The chef's head "bobbles" or "nods" on a metal spring adding much whimsy to this piece! His face has wonderful detailing--as does his body, and he has a very pleasant facial expression!! His big wide smile accentuates his pearly whites! This cute chef holds a yellow wooden spoon in his right hand and wears an adorable red bowtie!
**PLEASE NOTE: ANY WHITE SPOTS ON THE CHEF'S FACE ARE THE RESULT OF CAMERA FLASH ONLY-- NOT PAINT IMPERFECTIONS!**
A delightful piece!!
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According to Elisabeth Bennion, author of “Antique Hearing Devices” page 31, “The great advantage of the conversation tube as a type of hearing aid was that it obtained greater enhancement of sound by placing the bell close to the mouth of the speaker, thereby allowing for a normal conversational tone;.......It proved very effective as the sound, having been collected at source before being conducted to the ear, the speech sound level could therefore be increased considerably without danger of background noise.”
The ear trumpet conversation tube measures approximately 39.5 inches. The metal bell and gutta percha ear piece are in very nice condition. The spiral conical long aluminum tube is encased in silk or plaited wool that is intact though worn and still appealing . A great “conversation” piece!
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The advertising card measures 2.75 inches x 4.50 inches and is entitled "Photography Under a Cloud". It features a fabulous litho of 5 African-American boys with exaggerated facial features who are attempting to take a photograph using an early camera. The litho is marked in the lower right corner "Bufford, Boston". The reverse side further advertises WELCOME SOAP and features two shaking hands.
The trade card is in very fine condition with nice color and some very subtle evidence of age staining as seen in photos. The card has no rips, bends, or fading, and would be lovely matted and framed!
SOLD
In wonderful, all-original condition, the bank retains its original screw closure and the majority of its paint, with minor and insignificant paint loss as noted in photos.
A visually-appealing piece, a pleasing caricature! A fine addition to one's Black Memorabilia collection!
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Constructed of cardboard with black printing, this circa 1920-30s sign reads: " Coleman's Hotel Colored. Special Attention to Tourists. Ashland Virginia".
The sign remains in all-original condition inclusive of minor discoloration as noted in photos and small chips to the upper right and lower left corners. Print source is noted: "Herald-Progress Print, Ashland, VA".
This is NOT a reproduction, but rather a fortunate preservation. It is quite amazing that this sign has survived the many years being constructed out of cardboard. It was clearly stored away in such a manner that preserved its original condition.
Travel for African Americans during the Jim Crow period was difficult and complicated, with limited options for eating, sleeping, even procuring gasoline for the car. As a result, black-owned hotels and motels placed signs such as this one prominently in their windows. There were even special travel-guides to help African Americans plan their trips, hopefully, without incident. Victor Green's "Green Guide" provided state by state lists of colored hotels, motels and other travel-related businesses that catered to African-Americans.
Quite possibly the ONLY sign remaining extant from this particular, racially segregated establishment. An historically significant piece!
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Entitled A New Story of Little Black Sambo, this tale picks up the story of the original Little Black Sambo tale with Little Sambo's mother, Black Mumbo, exclaiming that Sambo, after almost losing his best Sunday clothes to the tigers, would- from now on- only be allowed to wear his every day clothes. Now very unhappily dressed in only a grass skirt, a pouting and naughty Sambo decides to run off into the jungle once again without permission, and climbs a tree to gather coconuts. Two hungry tigers soon arrive threatening to eat Little Black Sambo, trapping him up in the tree for the entire day! Eventually, Sambo's friend, Tusker the Elephant arrives, successfully chasing off the tigers, saving Sambo. Tusker carries Sambo back home, where his worried parents await him. Relieved that Sambo is finally safely home, Black Mumbo decides not to punish him too harshly by spanking him with a hairbrush for running off without permission and all alone. The conclusion of the tale then moves forward one month, one week and one day before Little Black Sambo is finally allowed to wear his fine clothes once again!
Although no author is attributed, it is thought by some that this continuation tale of Little Black Sambo was co-authored by Clara Bell Thurston and Earnest Vetsch, who illustrated Whitman Publisher's earliest and first known edition of this story version in 1926.
The hallmark of this version of A New Story of Little Black Sambo is the utterly fabulous illustrations that make this edition stand out. The vibrant colors used, the stunning detail applied, make each of the 12 full color plates simply gorgeous works of art! This softcover book is constructed of very sturdy, heavy, high quality stock which likely accounts for its very good condition. No fading of color, writing or missing pages. Binding is tight with all three original staples present although the cover pages have separated at the bottom to just above the lowest staple. Some page edges are subtly worn with minor creasing, and age-related, light soiling is present.
This very rarely found continuation of the original Little Black Sambo story is a must have addition for the collector of Little Black Sambo books! Given the extraordinary quality of the illustrations, this is a book that one will want to display- under protective cover, of course!
To see all of the Little Black Sambo items currently available for sale, simply type “Sambo” into the search box on our website homepage.
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The stories were written by Elizabeth Gordon and are whimsically illustrated in color by Clara Powers Wilson.
In fine condition with light wear to exterior boards. An early owners name appears inscribed on the title page. A small folio size measuring 5.25 inches x 6.75 inches.
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From approximately 1910 through the 1930's, Mrs. Concepcion Vargas-Alphonso, influenced by the great artistry of her famous 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 selling their wares or practicing their trade - black folk performing everyday activities that would have been daily seen on the streets of the city.
Sold exclusively at the time through Harriet's, of 318 Rue Royal 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 / Black Americana Collectible arena.
This figure, known as the Spanish Moss Seller with Alligator, was recently de-accessioned from the Louisiana State University Rural Life Museum collection, Baton Rouge, LA, having been acquired by the museum from a private collector in January 1979.
The Spanish Moss Seller with Alligator was one of the most popular of the renowned Vargas figures, highly sought after by visitors to the city of New Orleans. On his back he balances a very large bale of Spanish moss, while holding tight to a rope that is connected to a very young alligator perched at his feet.
Vargas wax figures are distinctly characterized by their interesting but highly exaggerated facial features. This gentleman Spanish Moss Seller with Alligator wears a red floral kerchief around his neck, a yellow straw hat on his head, a green flowered shirt, tan striped pants, and black "leather" shoes. His costume is entirely constructed of actual cloth fabric that was coated with a fine layer of clear wax to stiffen them. The Spanish Moss 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 his 90+ years of age with three minor restorations likely performed by the professionals at the LSU Rural Life Museum: a repaired right hand, and two re-attached feet on the alligator.
A true must-have piece for the ardent collector of New Orleans Black folk character figures!
Please take a moment to view the additional Vargas figures we currently have the pleasure of offering for sale. Type "Vargas" into the search box on our website homepage.
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These signs were found in March of 1971, inside the abandoned and decaying basement of the former Philadelphia Enameling Works factory at the corner of 13th and Vine Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The gentleman from whom these signs were purchased, bought these segregation signs along with hundreds of others signs of all types found in the basement of this former factory (see last photo) and has very kindly written a letter of provenance which has been photographed here and which will be included with these signs upon their sale.
These historic signs are enameled on both sides, and on the front sides are written, "COLORED MEN" and "COLORED WOMEN". The signs feature black lettering on a white background.
The signs are in all-original condition with some very minor discoloration and very unobtrusive edge discoloration pinpoints and some enameling loss here and there as seen in photos.
Extremely RARE, UNUSED, one-of-a-kind, museum-worthy pieces of Black American history that are quite likely the only ones of their kind extant today! Condition is amazing!
Please take a moment to view additional segregation signs by simply by typing the word "segregation" into the SEARCH box on our homepage.
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Measuring 30 inches tall x 11.25 inches wide, this fabulous eye chart is complete with the notation of two holes in the bottom metal panel – purpose of which is unknown. Overall condition of the eye test chart is quite fine with the expected wear to the frame and aging to the milk glass panels!
This 80+ year old vison exam chart with gorgeous "sunburst motif" has wonderful ‘eye’ appeal and would make a great 'visual' addition to your medical collection!!!
The chart is ready to hang, complete with hooks and wire, courtesy of the previous owner.
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Each ceramic jar measures approximately 3.25 inches high, and each is marked "JAPAN" on the bottom. They are of one-piece construction retaining the original corks in their bases. Each jar top features a different color which further adds to decorative appeal! Other than age-related crazing to the glaze, each jar is in perfect condition with no wear to the decorative paint!
The original wooden rack which- retains its original "MADE IN JAPAN" sticker on back- measures 9.50 inches long x 4.25 inches high x 2 inches deep and is in very fine condition. The rack features 2 holes for wall-mounting.
This delightful set has obviously seen little use in its 50+ years and would provide the collector with an interesting, visual kitchen display!
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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 item has phenomenal visual appeal! The striking graphic of an African native holding a shield and spear has been completed in red, black, cream and green colors that show no evidence of fading over these many years. The native's facial features are exaggerated which is quite typical of early 20th century depiction of African Americans.
Manufactured by the G.H. Robinson Company of Chicago (the paper manufacturer’s label remains affixed to the back of the game), the game comes with an attached cardboard stand in back that allowed it to remain upright during play. The game board retains its 5 original metal ring hooks at the native’s ears, nose, shield and spear. The object of the game was to successfully toss and hook a ring onto each of the hooks, with different point values awarded to the various hooks. The first person to accumulate 200 points won the game!
As stated earlier, condition is quite fine with no fading of colors. The metal ring hooks have acquired a nice patina. This game was attentively cared for over the years and at one time was reinforced at each of the four corners with cotton stitching. There is some creasing to the upper right hand corner and a ½ inch long tear- as opposed to a missing piece- to the top border directly aligned with and above the right ear. The stand was also sewn and taped at one time, but remains intact.
This Black Memorabilia game is truly quite rare as it is not documented in any of the extant Black Memorabilia source guides! It is quite likely that not many of the Bimbo Ringo Ring Toss games have survived given the inherently fragile nature of a cardboard – as opposed to a metal- toy!
This is a fabulous and eye-appealing toy that should not be missed by the serious collector of Black Memorabilia!!!
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The condition of the globe is very good with no damage to the plastic. There are some tiny white paint flecks to one side of the base otherwise the globe displays beautifully! Embossed “PRESCRIPTIONS” and “PARKE – DAVIS PHARMACEUTICALS” on the base.
A striking vintage advertising show globe ready for your collection.
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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!!
A simply wonderful gift for the educator!!
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In utterly excellent condition with the only flaws noted being subtle wear to the paper dust jacket and a past owner's name and address, this version of the Little Black Sambo story is highly collectible as any item produced by its publisher, Platt & Munk, is aggressively sought-after due to the company’s reputation for use of extraordinarily vivid graphics.
This mini book is sixty-two pages long with 29 vividly colored illustrations designed and executed by the author, Frank Ver Beck.
A must have edition for the collector of Little Black Sambo books!
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This uncommon sign measures 36” long x 8” wide and is in near mint condition except for a few unobtrusive edge chips noted around the top and bottom edges (see photos). The lower section has a few minor scratches near the word “EX-LAX”.
This sign dates to the 1910-1920 era and has wonderful visual appeal as well as functioning as a thermometer. There is worn, barely discernable printing on the wood thermometer housing which includes “Made in USA” …Patent…etc. Also marked - "MADE IN USA - A7-M27B" on the bottom front.
One will be quite challenged to find another in this outstanding condition!
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This sign was once bolted onto the inside of a railroad car, designating the line behind which African Americans must remain-- in the back of the car.
The sign is painted on both sides as follows: the back of the sign is painted with white lettering on a black background and reads, "THIS PART OF THE CAR FOR COLORED RACE". The front of the sign is painted with black lettering on a white background and reads, "THIS PART OF THE CAR FOR WHITE PEOPLE".
The sign is in all-original condition and has some paint loss and superficial rust as noted in photos that does not impact the integrity of the sign and is appropriate to the age and purpose of the piece. Wear to the "white side" of the sign has resulted in the removal of portions of the words "THIS PART".
An utterly phenomenal, extremely RARE, one-of-a-kind, museum-worthy piece of Black American history that may very well be the only one of its kind extant today!