Catalog: Archives (250)

Offered are a group of ten, Black Memorabilia postcards in wonderful, unused condition of 1930's through 1950's vintage, priced at $60.00 for the group of ten.

While some photos may appear a bit blurry, this is a function of photography and not condition. All postcards are crisp and clear! The two comical cartoon postcards are much more brightly and vividly colored than the photos depict. The eight photo postcards also feature titles describing their subjects.

A delightful grouping that would be much-appreciated framed!

An extraordinarily RARE version of the commonly found wooden Mammy Grocery List Board!!! In addition to the grocery reminder list, this piece also incorporates a 5 slot knife/spoon box and a cutting board!!!

I have never seen this piece before, nor have I seen it pictured in any Black Memorabilia Reference books!

Circa 1940's, this hefty and very well-constructed piece is made of solid wood and measures 14 inches high x 9.25 inches wide x 3 inches deep. It weighs nearly 4 lbs!

This wonderful piece of Black Memorabilia may be displayed as a free standing shelf piece or may be hung (original hanging hole present!).

The condition and visual clarity of the Mammy graphic (Mammy scratching her head in her attempt to remember her grocery list!) as well as the grocery list text remains superb and vibrant! This graphic is printed on a solid, 5/8 inch thick, wooden board that slides up and out of the red frame to reveal the 5 slot knife box interior! The box also has a single hole beside the knife slots presumably to hold a wooden spoon! Turn the wooden grocery list board over and one finds a cutting board!!! How very, very clever! The grocery list peg holes are found within the frame of the knife box as opposed to the common placement on the grocery list board; one original wooden peg remains.

The piece is in very fine condition with some superficial wear to the red paint in appropriate locations, some old grime, and a few white paint spatters at the top of the box where the knife slots are located (all of which will be left to the new owner to clean or retain!) No manufacturer's mark.

Truly a fabulous and most RARE piece of Black Americana!

A rarely found Antique Medical Teaching Display entitled "BODYSCOPE" by Ralph H. Segal, Copyright 1935.

This marvelous piece of medical ephemera is quite large, measuring approximately 20" by 15 7/8" and is constructed in a hard-bound, book format with four interior pages. The condition is quite good with the expected, minimal wear of an early teaching aid. The interior pages and the exterior binding are solid.

The four primary, highly colorful, and well-detailed teaching models on each page are all complete with turning wheels on the page side which rotate to display different organs and systems of the body.

Graphic images of the male and female anatomy are featured in the center pages along with 2 other wonderful images. Turn the wheel and 10 different body systems are shown: "1. Our Body, Its Physiology. 2. The Torso, Anterior Organs. 3. The Torso, Posterior Organs. 4. Digestive System, Digestion. 5. The Portal System, Absorption. Body Comparison of Sexes. 7. The Circulatory System. 8. The Respiratory System. 9. The Excretory System. 10. Female Generative Organs."

Published by Bodyscope Publications, Inc. Educational Building, 10 Fifth Ave., N.Y.C.

A fabulously eye-catching medical teaching display adorned with Art Deco inspired design elements! A phenomenal display piece!

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 3 /12 inches high x 5 ¼ inches wide x 3 inches deep, this early 1950’s, USA-made, plastic, RED Aunt Jemima Recipe Box has seen some use but remains quite visually striking and in very good condition!

Manufactured by FOSTA Products, this highly sought after piece of Black Memorabilia is in lovely, all-original condition with very light, superficial surface wear as seen in photos; this wear is reflective of less-than-typical use. A bonus--the original recipe cards remain inside! Fabulous color and condition contribute to the wonderful visual appeal of this delightful and essential, vintage piece of early 50’s Black Americana!

This wonderful, 19th century, Whitall Tatum, hanging, apothecary show globe measures approximately 33 inches from top of chain to bottom of fixture. This egg-shaped, 3 1/2 gallon globe dates to circa 1895 and was manufactured at the Whithall Tatum Company in Millville, New Jersey.

The blown-glass globe is in very good condition with the expected and minor, age-related scratches and imperfections of antique glass. There are no cracks, and the globe holds water just fine!

The lovely and decorative, iron supporting frame sports an early, gold-painted finish which is quite appealing. (The original, factory-manufactured finish was completed in brass plate.) The interior of the globe's metal crown has minimal, superficial rust as seen in the photo.

This globe displays quite nicely and is ready for exhibit in your collection!

Offered are an extraordinary and most rarely-found pair of early 19th century, child/young adolescent - size, Slave Rattle Shackles with one measuring approximately 4.75 inches tall by 7 3/8 inches wide and the other measuring 5.25 inches tall by 7.5 inches wide.

The oddly-shaped, hand-wrought shackles each have two lateral "pockets" that contain pieces of metal or balls that “rattle” as the wearer moves about, thus indicating the wearer's location. This type of shackle is noted in historical references as a Crab Rattler Shackle due to its visual similarity to that sea animal. Each shackle has a pair of small chain links attached at the top. One shackle would have been placed on each leg, and a metal chain would have then been threaded through the attached rings and secured with a lock.

The age of these shackles is formally listed as 19th century, but could very well be older, dating to the last quarter of the 18th century. Condition is quite good given age and use. Please note the small hole present on the side of one shackle as noted in photo. All original and untouched, an utterly horrible, tangible testament to the malevolence of slavery. A VERY RARE form of rattle shackle, even more particularly so due to its small size!

Also currently offered for sale and priced separately is a very diminutive child rattle shackle in an unusual form out of a South Carolina estate. Additionally, de-accessioned from the Middle Passage Museum is an ultra-rare set of 19th Century Slave Ship Shackles from a New Orleans, Louisiana, former slave trader estate! Please type the word "shackles" in the search box on our home page to find all sets of shackles currently being offered.

Measuring approximately 7.5 inches high, this highly sought after Black Americana Vargas wax figure is mounted on its original wooden platform and is one of a series of fascinating "street character wax dolls" conceived of and crafted by Mrs. Concepcion Vargas Alfonso, daughter of the world-renowned, turn-of-the-20th century-New Orleans, Spanish sculptor, Francisco Vargas.

From approximately 1910 through the 1930's, Mrs. Concepcion Vargas-Alphonso, influenced by the artistry of her father who also famously 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 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 Coal Seller, is most particularly hard to find, and thus, he is very seldom seen in today's collectible market.

Vargas wax figures are distinctly characterized by their interesting but highly exaggerated facial features. This gentleman Coal Seller wears a red and yellow kerchief around his neck, a yellow shirt patterned with red flowers, green trousers and "leather" shoes- all constructed of actual cloth fabric that was coated with a fine layer of clear wax to stiffen them. At his feet is a very large, wax-coated burlap bag filled with small planks of wood, ready for burning. The Coal Seller's 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 features the original trade sticker advertising Harriet's. Remnants of an unreadable paper sticker are also noted on the front of the wooden base.

This wonderful figure is in amazing condition for his 90+ years of age with two imperfections: one missing finger on the right hand, and 3/4ths of the hat brim missing-- both conditions occurring due to the delicacy and fragility of the wax construction as both the hands and the hat are made solely from molded wax.

As a result, fingers are frequently found to be missing on Vargas figures, and hat brims often fall culprit to damage as well. The brimmed hats of Vargas male figures are the ONLY item of Vargas clothing that were never constructed of fabric first before being coated in wax- the only significant design flaw in the execution of these fabulous and iconic New Orleans Black Folk 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.

Offered is a very scarce Mckesson and Robbins one pound bulk stock raw drug used in manufacturing medicinal ointments, cosmetic creams and pomades. Marked "U.S.P.", the fate of this block of SPERMACETI was most likely intended for health related products. The label states: "for manufacturing purposes only" and seems too pure for making candles.

The age of the very neat piece is from the late 1800s to early 19th century. Measures 7.5"L x 5"W x 1"H and is in "as found" condition from a long closed New Jersey pharmacy. The contents are wrapped in paper which sports a complete aged and stained label. There are pieces of wrapper that are missing and some edge loss of product. This honorable wear is commensurate with age, storage and travel.

This specimen is the only one I have seen and belongs in a museum or fine collection.

The sourcing of this product was from sperm whales and was not from their blubber. I will leave it to the new owner to discover the not so colorful history of the whaling trade. Moby Dick is a great start.

This interesting, circa 1930's, dentist's kit was used to match size and shape of teeth to be replaced! The handsome black Bakelite case is in nice condition, containing many original sample teeth and sporting 9 drawers with oval metal labels. All drawers open smoothly except for the top one. Small unobtrusive right edge chips on 3 shelves fail to detract from this interesting dental collectible.

Measures 6.5"H x 7"W x 5"D and bears the label, "The Dentists’ Supply Co. of N.Y. – Bioform".

A striking dental display!

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!!!

Offered for sale is a 19th century, medium-sized, apothecary pharmacy bottle sporting “PULV. CANEL. ALB.” on the label under glass label!

The 8.25 inch tall bottle is marked on the base, “WN WALTON PAT. SEP 23 1862”, and is of early blown glass construction. The fancy, recessed applied label is complete and is in very nice condition. The stopper is of ground glass construction and is in very good order as well.

The inside of the bottle is 1/3 full of a light brown powder. Very nice indeed!

This beautiful mahogany wood, glass encased pharmacy beam balance scale dates to the 1900-1920s era. It is in very nice condition with the wood case exhibiting a warm colored original patina. The brass scale weighing mechanism is in working order and the sliding front glass panel lifts smoothly. Marked “Made in Germany – Schaar”.

The case measures 16"H x 16"W x8”D. Displays wonderfully!

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 is the fabulously RARE BIGGER HAIR Negro Tobacco container produced from the mid 1940's through the early 1960's. This container is actually constructed of cardboard with tin base, and is much less frequently found, and thus, much more rare than the earlier, all-metal, and scarce-in-its-own-right, Nigger Hair container due to the greater fragility of cardboard as compared to metal, as well as the fewer numbers of cardboard containers produced.

Following the conclusion of World War II, the American Tobacco Company of Virginia changed its product name from Nigger Hair to Bigger Hair, seeking to broaden the product's marketing appeal as well as viewing the latter label as the more-socially acceptable one. (The earlier Nigger Hair moniker was used by the American Tobacco Company from the 1890's through the early, pre-WWII 1940s; the lithographed can was manufactured by the B. Leidersdorf Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.) Interestingly, the company DID NOT change the image of the African woman, but merely added the words Fiji Islander to the left of her face in its indifferent and weak attempt to move further away from the earlier, severely derogatory label.

Measuring 7 inches high x 5 3/4 inches wide, the photos provide a fine representation of condition. The container is in near-mint condition with a tiny rub here and there, and some very minor wear around the top of the container that likely occurred from simply taking the cover on and off. This wear is completely covered by the cover. The original orange color of the container remains consistent throughout, and the structural integrity of the cardboard is quite sturdy. The original wax bag which held the tobacco remains inside--highly unusual! The container retains most of its paper Federal Revenue Tobacco seal on either side and is dated February 26, 1926, Series 119, a tax stamp which was issued exclusively in 1949. Truly incredible condition given the age and material composition of this piece--- 69 years!!

This very rare tobacco container is just a wonderful example of latter Black Americana advertising and looks even better "in person" than the camera was able to capture with its lens!

If the Nigger Hair Tobacco container is currently in your collection, the addition of the Bigger Hair container will complete your collection from both a cultural and historical perspective! The Nigger Hair Tobacco container featured in the last photo has been SOLD.

Offered is an outstanding, Art Deco era, circa 1920-1930s, hanging, drug store, apothecary show globe in impeccable condition!

The fancy and highly-stylized, Art Deco, aluminum frame cradles an equally highly-stylized, classically-ribbed, clear glass show globe and finial. If so desired, the show globe will hold water. The frame is embellished with a buffed matte finish with design details outlined in contrasting black to further enhance the fabulous, Art Deco styling. The chain link is also painted black, echoing the black detailing of the frame, and it retains most of its gorgeous, original finish, with absolutely no pitting. This fabulous apothecary showpiece measures 29 inches from the top of its fancy hanger to the base.

The condition is absolutely excellent. The globe glass is clean and clear with a perfectly fitting, ground-glass stopper. The interior globe rim has an extremely shallow, minute, surface chip that is insignificant and is very difficult to see and photograph. The finial base has two practically undetectable, teeny, flea bites that cannot be seen when the finial is inserted into the globe rim, and which also, are too tiny to photograph.

The take away of this offering, this outstanding piece of nearly 100 year old, American pharmacy history, is both its exquisite Art Deco styling with extraordinary visual appeal, and its utterly excellent condition, making it a true rarity among extant Apothecary antiques and collectibles!

This exceptional, one-of-a-kind, circa 1900, cloth doll was made and designed by Ruie Ann Park, a Van Buren, Arkansas, Civil War History author who wrote “Civil War Letters of the Shibley Brothers, Van Buren, Arkansas”.

This extremely rare SAMPLE doll was, at one time, exhibited by Mrs. Park at a Van Buren drug store for marketing purposes--orders would be taken at the drug store based upon her sample doll or dolls that were displayed.

This richly detailed, finely executed doll wears 2 authenticating cloth tags (see photos) that attest to this doll’s provenance; one tag is a hand-inked-in-script tag sewn to the base of the doll’s apron that reads “Sample”, and the other is a machine-printed tag that is stitched to the waist band of the apron and reads, “Designed by Ruie Ann Park, Van Buren, Ark., All Rights Reserved”.

This lovely, 13 ½ inch long, old black Granny doll has a delicately designed, serious looking face that has been carefully hand-etched in ink. Her curly gray hair pulled back into a bun at the nape of her neck is crafted from yarn, and she wears a small, proper brown cloth hat with pink banding. Her body is quite firmly stuffed with cotton, her hands are stitched to delineate her fingers and (separated) thumbs, and her outfit is machine-stitched and completely original. She wears unbleached, ruffle-edged, muslin pantaloons and underskirt. Her dress is cream colored cotton calico printed with black and pink flowers, and further accented with the most delicate, pink-trimmed, pink polka-dotted, lace cuffs and collar. Her unbleached muslin apron is trimmed with light pink ric-a-rac along its hem and single pocket. Her outfit is completed with black cotton stockings and authentically detailed black, lace-up leather boots.

This extraordinarily rare doll with her very unusual, documented provenance is in very, very fine condition! A truly superb Black doll beckoning to the most sophisticated of doll collectors! Also offered from the same wonderful doll collection is a circa 1920 black cloth doll named "Sallie"- another must-have!

An extraordinarily RARE 19th CENTURY piece of Black Americana advertising featuring a fabulous graphic of 2 young African American painters holding a "White-Wash Boy's Hydrated Lime" box.

This product was produced by the lime manufacturers, Hatmaker and Place, of Canaan, Connecticut, in the late 1800s. This small company was located within a large "lime belt" that stretched from Connecticut to Vermont. Back in the day, lime powder mixed with water was quite commonly used to "white wash" or paint numerous surfaces, and it was also used as a medicinal disinfectant! The manufacture of lime from marble was one of the earliest and most successful mineral industries in Connecticut, with historical records dating the establishment of the first CT lime manufactory to 1722.

Given its age and the fragility of paper, condition of this wonderful box is quite good. The lower portion of the back side of the box evidences light surface wear with some of the printing on the lower portion of the box worn away as a result. The front of the box has a 3.25 inch long tear which resulted in the loss of the lime powder from the box.

This early piece of Black Americana advertising is EXCEEDINGLY RARE and may well be a ONE-OF-A-Kind item! The Hatmaker and Place Company was one of a number of very small manufactories located within the "lime belt" that were ALL bought out and immediately closed down by a wealthy group of investors who then created and incorporated the mammoth monopoly, The New England Lime Company, early in 1902.

This fabulous piece of Black Americana is NOT to be missed by the serious collector!