$55.00
All 5 of these artistically-rendered awards were presented to the same student, Maria Royce, and signed by her teacher, Isabella F. McCormick, as well as two representatives of the school committee for "regular and punctual attendance with correct deportment and diligent attention to her studies." Maria obviously was educated in a one room school house given that she had the same teacher over a four year period.
The awards are dated May 1841, May 1842, March 18-- (year inadvertently omitted), June 1842, and January 1844.
The merit awards measure 8 inches wide x 10 inches long and are adorned at the top of the award with a well-executed black line etching of a teacher and her students viewing a large world globe with an elegant school house of formal architecture standing imposingly in the background-- and at the base of the award, a delicate and detailed floral wreath.
The awards are in fine condition with very minor wrinkling to the edges. May 1841 and March 18-- also have minor edge-area foxing that will not be visible once the award is matted and framed.
These early examples of school ephemera are quite rare and would be a fabulous addition to a vintage school memorabilia collection!
Priced $55 Each; please specify date of document you wish to purchase.
$30.00
The records are in used condition with minor scuffing and/or scratching typical of used records of 80+ years of age. These records have not been recently played and are presented as historical artifacts, and as such, they are offered for sale without guarantee of "playing quality".
Offered are:
1) 1912 "I'se Gwine Back to Dixie" by the Haydn Quartet
2) 1923 "Two Black Crows Part 1 and Part 2" A Comedy Sketch by Moran and Mack
3) C1915 "No One Loves You Any Better Than Your Mammy" by Link-Nelson
As each is priced separately, please email us stating which item you wish to purchase so that we can customize your order form.
$65.00
This sweet little pop-eyed character was recently acquired from the artist's daughter who stated that her mother made the puppet for her in the late 1950's.
With hands and head constructed of papier mache and a machine-stitched cotton body, this 10.50 inch long puppet sat for years in a doll cabinet seeing minimal childhood play. The body is very lightly soiled from dust with some seam separation at each shoulder (see photo). The hands and head have acquired a bit of a crackled look due to age; however, there are no flakes or missing pieces.
He has a darling "look" and would make a whimsical addition to one's folk art, puppet or doll collection. This hand-made piece is a truly one-of-a-kind creation!
$475.00
The toy is in very fine, working condition. When wound, the black dancers bob up and down, moving their hinged legs about and swinging their arms. The dancer's heads, bodies, and arms are constructed of flat tin, while their legs and feet are three dimensional. Other than a few light scratches here and there, the surface lithography and paint is in fabulous condition.
The toy measures 8” tall and 5 ½” wide. Marked with “MADE IN U.S.A.” on the back of the dancer's jackets as well as "MADE IN USA" and "PAT 2072308" (Patent Year 1937) on the bottom of the toy base.
$85.00
This 4 inch tall bottle retains the majority of its Fred Harvey price sticker on its base. Remnants of perfume are still visible, and the bottle's original paper labels remain in wonderful condition. This version of Vigny Golliwogg perfume is extraordinarily difficult to find as it was specifically marketed only in the Fred Harvey rail line stores.
A very scarce and delightful addition to one's Vigny Golliwogg Perfume collection!
A bit of Fred Harvey History:
Frederick Henry Harvey (June 27, 1835 – February 9, 1901) was a Liverpool, England-born entrepreneur who immigrated to the United States in 1853 at the age of 17. His first employment in the US was in a NYC restaurant where he quickly worked his way up from pot scrubber to waiter and line cook- an experience which later impacted his life choices.
In 1876 after working within a number of retail industries, Harvey returned to his first "love"- the restaurant business. As a result of his acquaintance with the superintendent of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, Harvey opened a very successful chain of "eating houses" all along the rail line. At its peak, a total of 84 Harvey Houses existed, all of which catered to wealthy and middle-class visitors alike. Souvenir shops and hotels were added by the innovative Harvey, and he became known as "the Civilizer of the West".
Fred Harvey is credited with creating the first restaurant chain in the United States, and he is also recognized as a leader in promoting tourism in the American Southwest in the late 19th century. Fred Harvey and his employees successfully brought unique and higher standards of both civility and dining to a region widely regarded in the era as "the Wild West."
Type "Vigny" in the SEARCH box on our homepage to see all French Golliwogg Perfume bottles!
To see all of our Golliwogg-related items for sale, type "golliwogg" into the SEARCH box on our home page.
$295.00
The litho was executed by John Karst with his signature appearing in the lower left hand corner. Highly detailed, the litho reproduces a bustling New Orleans' dock scene featuring numerous slaves at work.
This litho was professionally re-framed using museum-quality, acid-free materials in 2004. The frame is a classic styled, black painted, beaded, hardwood accented with a dark rose, acid-free mat.
A fascinating glimpse into life on the docks of the Mississippi River at New Orleans!
Please note that any white spots or streaking appearing in photos are the result of light reflection and are not damage to the litho.
$195.00
A wonderful and rarely found piece of Black Americana!
$175.00
Marked "Pat Applied For" on its base, this darling match holder features two small black boys playing around a rather large cotton bale (the bale is labeled "COTTON").
Well-executed detail! A lovely piece seldom found in today's collectible market!
$125.00
This story is a much-beloved children's classic written in the early 1900's by Englishwoman, Helen Bannerman, for her two daughters while they lived in India. Sambo, in the original Bannerman tale, was an Indian boy and not an African-American child. He was converted to this race overtime, however, by subsequent story tellers and illustrators. This age-old tale tells of Little Black Sambo and his frightening tiger encounter, which fortunately, has a happy ending!
In utterly excellent condition with the only flaws noted to this hardcover book being extremely minor corner edge wear, it also comes with its original dust cover which has been subjected to significant wear and tear as seen in photos: a missing piece, taped edges, scuffs, light soiling, and minor tears. The dust cover shows its 65 years of age while the book, itself, is nearly mint.
Both the black and white as well as color illustrations are just superb! Unnumbered pages alternate between color and black line illustrations.
A must have addition for the collector of Little. Black Sambo books!
To see all of the Little Black Sambo items currently available for sale, simply type “Sambo” into the search box on our website homepage.
$125.00
Text indicates that the certificate was awarded to Emma Shannon on June 12, 1885 (Or 1883--difficult to read as the date is partially concealed under the frame edge). The certificate recognizes that Emma excelled in Latin, Arithmetic, History of France, Rhetoric, and English Literature. Signed by W. P. Dickinson, President of the Faculty.
With the exception of early fold lines, a water stain in the upper left corner, and two small circular age stains on the lower left and within the word "distinction", condition is quite nice!
Measures 16.25 inches X 12.25 inches framed. The piece is framed in wood and is beautifully grain-painted in brown and black tones with delicate, cream-toned, chip-carved stems and leaves at each of the four corners. Original wood backing remains in place.
Once located at the intersection of 10th and Jefferson Streets in downtown Charlottesville, the Albemarle Female Institute was founded in 1853 as a University School for young women by Baptist pastor John A. Broadus. In 1861, one of Charlottesville's most famous 19th century women, Charlotte "Lottie" Moon, earned one of the first Master of Arts degrees ever awarded to a woman by a southern educational institution during this time period. Fluent in Latin, Greek, French, and Italian, Lottie was called to serve as a Baptist missionary in China, devoting 40 years of her life to that mission.
$495.00
"The Golliwogg at the Sea-Side", published in 1898 by Longmans, Green & Co, London & New York, was illustrated by Florence K. Upton, with story written by her mother, Bertha. This book was the 3rd Golliwogg adventure in a series of thirteen Golliwogg adventures by Upton, with the last published in 1909-- all of which are incredibly difficult to find today.
This hard cover book, measuring 8.75 inches high x 11.5 inches long, is a total of 63 pages in length. The book is lavishly illustrated with 32 full-color illustrations and tells the story of Golly's adventures at the sea shore. Golly and his friends, suffering from boredom, go off to the seashore to try their hand at sunbathing, swimming in the ocean, crab fishing, boating—all with considerable catastrophe—until finally trying a hoped-for-peaceful hayride through the countryside—all for naught!!
The Golliwog, itself, was based on a Black minstrel doll that Florence Kate Upton, born in 1873 of English parents, had played with as a small child in New York. Upton's Golliwog character was first introduced to the world in her 1895 book entitled The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls. Like the rag doll that inspired it, the Golliwog in her book was a less-than-handsome creature with very dark, jet black skin, large white-rimmed eyes, red clown lips, and wild, frizzy hair. Golliwogs are typically male and are generally dressed in a jacket, trousers, bow tie, and stand-up collar in a combination of red, white, blue, black, and occasionally yellow colors.
The book is in very fine but not perfect condition-- not surprising given the book's 113 years of age! Wear to hard-board-cover edges and corners. Binding remains strong and tight with center-taping coming a bit lose on one side, but not effecting integrity. A couple of the pages have 1/2inch tears at base, likely the result of simply turning the pages. Book is complete, with no missing pages.
Truly a fabulous find! Only the 2nd time I have EVER had the pleasure of offering one of these wonderfully-rare, 1st edition, Upton, children's book in my 26 years of dealing in Black Memorabilia!!
$38.00
The flag features 48 stars and is bordered with the stars and stripes as well as a Liberty Bell at each of the four corners.
The Flag is double-sided and looks fabulous when viewed from either side.
Would look quite striking if matted and framed!
$795.00
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 dressed in ruffled, red skirts emblazoned with the words “GOLD DUST”, busily scrubbing the front porch and the kitchen in a vigorous attempt at “Spring Cleaning”. The colors featured in this trolley sign are just stunning—greens, pale peachy-colored orange, pale blue, and yellows with white apple blossoms and red tulips flowering in profusion!! To the left of the Gold Dust Twin scrubbing the front porch, sits a large box of Gold Dust Washing Powder. The advertisement proclaims in black-outlined, peachy-orange lettering: “For Spring House Cleaning”.
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 a bit faded—which is inaccurate! The sign is free of rips or tears although it does have two, early, fold-creases – one running from top to bottom of the sign along the left side of the pail and between the “O” and “L” in “GOLD” and the other vertical crease on the very right edge of the sign, running through the stove in the kitchen to the “T” in “DUST”. The creases are very unobtrusive and do not detract from the wonderful, colorful imagery this sign conveys.
An unusual opportunity to acquire a very RARE piece of Black Americana!!
$325.00
Condition of the litho is considered very good given the rich coloration that remains. Some minor wear does exist: 2 small tears measuring less than 1/2 inch each on either side border edge-- one in the trees on the right side and the other on the left side in the water. There are several teeny holes in the sky to the right of the bearded gentleman's fishing pole as well as one single hole in the black gentleman's hair. (Please see photos.) Some wear to the border at top as shown in photos.
Despite the noted imperfections, this lithograph displays beautifully, with rich color and crisp lines. It presently resides in an early 1920's frame; ideally from a conservation point of view, it would benefit from a re-framing with acid-free materials to continue to preserve its historic importance.
$95.00
Both dolls retain their 3 original pigtails, all tied off with tiny pieces of string. Their hand-painted lips and eyes remain in excellent condition as is the dark brown paint which covers the bisque bodies which were originally white when manufactured (the white bisque coloring is visible at the joints).
Both dolls have jointed arms and legs which allow them to assume different positions. The string holding the larger doll's legs in place has stretched over these many years resulting in looser leg joints. (This can be repaired if so desired by the new owner.)
The larger doll is dressed in a hand-made outfit consisting of an ivory, yarn-knitted petticoat under a yellow crocheted dress while the smaller doll remains au naturalle! A darling, teeny tiny pair that display quite nicely!
$75.00
This Mammy nipple doll is more unusual and less seldom found because she holds a tiny, plastic, white baby in her left arm. Typically when found, the Mammy nipple doll has empty arms.
Mammy’s sweet little face has been hand-painted, and she has been nicely dressed in a red and white polka dot dress with linen apron and red flowered head scarf. The little baby wears a linen gown edged with lace and has a molded face.
Condition of this wonderful miniature Mammy is very good! With the exception of her nipple face which has contorted a bit due to the ravages of time, she is in delightful condition!
$45.00
The paper package contains nearly all of its original powder, having never been opened; however, as noted in the second photo, the corner edge wear has resulted in some minor leakage of the powder. Because of this, the package has been shrink-wrapped to preserve the remainder of the product.
The shrink wrapping makes the package very difficult to photograph; additionally, some minor leakage of the powder under the shrink wrap also obscures viewing. The first two photos are of the actual package currently offered for sale--with shrink wrap on and minor leakage of powder under the shrink-wrap. The remaining photos clearly show the details of the Zoulou packaging using an undamaged, unshrink-wrapped package that has already been sold, no longer available for purchase. These photos are offered purely for the convenience of the viewer so that the details of the Zoulou package can be readily seen without the encumbrance of the shrink wrap blocking package details; these photos do not represent the condition of the package currently being offered for sale. The first two photos represent the condition of the actual Zoulou package currently offered for sale, with the pricing reflecting condition.
The manufacturers of the Zoulou powder claimed that healing properties were associated with the powder.
A well-detailed, rarely-found example of turn-of-the-century use of graphics in advertising!
$145.00
Constructed of tin with a cardboard lithographed image and a glass cover, this game has a mirrored back. The puzzle is in all-original condition with the Dandy graphic remaining free of scratches and abrasions, and design typical of turn-of-the-century puzzles. The mirrored back shows evidence of 2 tiny areas of subtle, minor chipping along the perimeter edge, and the glass front has a small, very shallow surface chip at the base of the Dandy's shirt and an even tinier one to the left of the top hat. Unless one applies hard pressure to the surface of this glass, I cannot ever imagine this front glass breaking or shattering. (Please disregard any light or shiny spots in photos which are due to flash reflection off of the glass.)
A detailed image and a delightful piece of very early Black Memorabilia!