Catalog: Popular Collectibles: Nostalgia (41)

Measuring 4 inches high with a 3.75 inch base diameter, this authentic looking 1919 Patent model of the historic Philadelphia Liberty Bell, is in wonderful all-original condition!

Given away as a premium for opening a bank account, this still bank advertises the Mechanics Savings Bank of Hartford, Connecticut.

The bank is complete with the famous Liberty Bell crack down its front as well as this slogan etched around its top, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All The Inhabitants Thereof. LEV XXV 10".

Manufactured by the Bankers S & C System Company, Cleveland, Ohio, this bank bears a patent date of February 18, 1919, as inscribed on its base.

Made of metal and wood. The whereabouts of the original key is unknown but it is likely that any flat metal key of the period and appropriate size would open it.

A fine decorative piece for either the still bank collector or Revolutionary War buff!

Offered for sale is a fabulous and most colorful, hand-painted Connecticut TIN trade sign from the 1920s – 1930s.

Framed in sturdy wood, this metal sign is hand-painted in stunning blues, whites, and oranges and reads: “JOHN E. MELVIN – PLUMBER – TEL. CONN”.

Measuring approximately 32.5 inches wide x 18 inches high, this vintage tin sign, a most unusual find, has wonderful visual graphic appeal and would add great decorative interest to any room!

The condition of the sign is quite good with lovely patina and appropriate surface wear for its 70-80+ years of age. Note a small unobtrusive piece of framing missing from the bottom right.

Measuring 4.25 x 4 x 1 inches, this all original cardboard display contains 24, full, bakelite capsules or tubes of EVERSHARPE RED TOP pencil-lead!

Interestingly, this display was found among the contents of an old North Carolina country store.

This product was made in the 1940's in the USA with tubes originally selling for 15 cents per tube. Each bakelite capsule or tube contains 45 sticks of "Q-15 Soft Standard" pieces of pencil-lead.

As seen in the photos, the red caps of the bakelite containers are brittle from age and are in varying states of "wholeness"--some intact and some not.

An interesting and unusual item to add to one's advertising or olde school collection!

Offered is an antique, hand-personalized and hand-signed, school merit award, circa 1860's.

The artistically-rendered award was presented to student, Eleanor R. Russell, and signed by her teacher, Angie M. Gibson.

The framed and matted merit award measures 8 inches wide x 10 inches long and is adorned with a delicate, hand-colored, floral wreath. The award features a poem of religious sentiment: "Tis sweet oh sweet to know, if we our time improve, we shall be happy while below, and dwell in heaven above".

A lovely and difficult to find piece of 19th century school memorabilia!

Please note that any white marks seen in photos are light reflections off the glass and are not damage to the piece.

Offered is an absolutely delightful, vintage 1920's, hand-made barber's sign available for your collection. The sign is created on what appears to be a mat board surface and is encased in an older frame. The sign lists the various services with the price of each posted on the right.

This neat sign measures 14 inches high by 11.5 inches wide, and the frame is approximately 16.5 x 12.5 inches.

The condition of the sign is good, noting clear, crisp lettering with light foxing, mild edge wear and a few tiny blemishes commensurate with age. The original frame sports an old, light green, crackled and worn painted surface and pairs well with the barber's sign.

Found in Georgia outside of Savannah, this sign likely was the creation of a small town barber or his associate since it was less expensive to hand-craft a sign like this rather than to formerly commission the creation of one.

Ready to hang!

Offered is a graphically appealing, 1950s, Kodak Film Advertising Display. This beauty comes in the original box and shows very little wear. There is scant patina from minimal use, minor surface scratches and blemishes, and one bend in the metal as seen in the photo. The display turns easily on its circular base, and the colors are as bright as if it was brand new! Definitely a discerning collector's dream!

Measures 20.75" tall x 7.25" in diameter. The overall height includes the removal top pediment.

A five-sided display seldom found in this condition!

Measuring 9 inches in diameter, this wonderful 1950's, school, Spelling and Counting Board retaining its original box with a 77 Cent price sticker on it! The game is quite colorful, as is the box, and both will create an eye-appealing display! The game is in mint, unused condition with all letters of the alphabet present as well as the numbers one through ten with math signs. The box shows its age with superficial dirt, weak corners and seams, as well as tearing to the box bottom. Made by BAR-ZIM, USA. A great find for the collector of School Memorabilia!

Measuring a diminutive 2 inches in diameter, this intricately-detailed, colorfully lithographed, celluloid-faced advertising pocket mirror is in mint condition!

The pastoral image features a country maiden leading a cow from the woods while holding a can of Horlick's Malted Milk.

Imprinted on the cow's side is the following, "Ask for Horlick's at all Fountains and Hotels."

Around the circumference of the mirror, the product is further advertised:

"This maiden fair was dressed in silk,
She drinks the Horlick's Malted Milk."

" Tea of coffee it does replace,
In Health or Sickness,
Wins the Race."

Original mirrored backing is in very fine condition with just a few very minute , superficial scratches. Marked in microscopically written print ob bottom edge: The Whitemead & Hoag Company, Newark, New Jersey.

A beautiful little advertising piece!

This wonderful, late 19th / early 20th century photograph of students and teacher from a New England, one-room school house measures 10 x 8 inches including mat. Actual size of the sepia toned photo is 8 x 5 inches. The subjects are posed on the stairs in front of the schoolhouse porch or veranda. The ten young gentlemen in the front row, while quite fashionably attired, don’t appeared to be very enthusiastic about their participation in this photography session! Look at those faces!

Condition is wonderful- no rips or creases. The full view photo appears faded or lighter on the right hand side, but this is camera flash glare only- tones/coloration are uniform throughout as seen in close-up photo.

A delightful and early schoolhouse collectible!

These wonderful circa 1930's school crayons manufactured by Milton Bradley of Springfield, Massachusetts, are in near mint condition with the exception of very, very light surface soiling to cardboard paper box! Crayons are unused and are all original!

In addition to making children's games, The Milton Bradley Company, for many, many years, produced an extensive array of school supplies, equipment, and materials!

A wonderful addition to School or Artist Memorabilia collection!

Although two boxes are pictured in the photo, sale is for ONE BOX ONLY.

Offered is a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted sign from the 1940s era. This eye-appealing and visually-graphic sign is constructed of metal, has two-toned, colored lettering and sports the Newark, New Jersey Traffic Club's shield-shaped emblem.

This professionally executed, rare sign measures 29 inches long x 9 inches wide and is in good condition. Areas of light paint loss as seen in the photos and a few minor crimps in the metal, most noted by the corners, are commensurate with age.

An internet search revealed that the club was established over 100 years ago in 1909, although this sign appears to be from the 1940s. A neat find!

A fabulously detailed, historical graphic of the California State Seal adds to the importance of this authentic, museum-quality, 1899, TEACHING LICENSE / DIPLOMA issued by the STATE OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY, DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

Text indicates that the diploma was awarded to Josephine Downey on October 21, 1899, and certified her to teach the Grammar or Primary Grade for the subsequent 6 years. Signed by Thomas Kirsh, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Secretary.

Further documentation on reverse reads, "Issued on the recommendation of the Board of Education of San Francisco County, in accordance with Section 1521 of the Political Code, upon a first grade or Grammar Grade Certificate of San Francisco County, California, 95% (Josephine’s teacher examination grade).”

With the exception of early fold lines, condition is mint! Measures 14.6 inches X 11.5 inches.

See my other items for an 1892 Teaching Certificate awarded to Josephine's sister, Mary Downey.

A detailed and historical, 19th century, school "Certificate of Distinction" from the "Albemarle Female Institute of Charlottesville, Virginia!

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 grain-painted in brown and black tones with cream-toned, chip-carved stems and leaves at each of the four corners. Original wood backing remains in place.

An ornately detailed, historical graphic of the California State Seal adds to the importance of this authentic and extremely rare, museum-quality, 1859, TEACHING and PRINCIPAL’s LICENSE / DIPLOMA issued by the STATE OF CALIFORNIA, and the City and County of SAN FRANCISCO, DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, just 9 years after California became the 31st state.

Text indicates that this early diploma was awarded to Mr. O. P. Sarle on January 5, 1859. This “Certificate of Approval” found him qualified “with respect to Learning Utility and Moral Character” to not only teach but administer as Principal at the Grammar School Grade for “one year unless sooner revoked by the board”. Signed by five individuals constituting the Examining Board and the President of the Superintendent of Schools.

Measures 14 inches X 16.5 inches. Labeled lower left corner: "Fishbourne's Litho. Ohio Street San Francisco". With the exception of early fold lines, condition is mint!

This vintage 1940's cardboard advertising fan for the Petersburg Furniture Company, Inc., located at 100 North Sycamore Street, Petersburg, Virginia, measures 12" long x 7 " wide and is mounted on a wooden stick handle.

Featuring a double heart motif, the advertising slogan spouts, "When Two Hearts Beat As One, It's Time To Buy Your Furniture From "Old Reliable" Petersburg Furniture Company, "Petersburg's Oldest Furniture Store!

Neat mid-20th-century advertising piece in very fine original condition!

Offered are two 1920's recipe booklets given out in conjunction with the purchase of the items they advertise, namely Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and Swan's Down Cake Flour. Booklets contain actual recipes featuring the use of the advertised product, of course!

The Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Recipe Booklet, 33 pages, measures 5.50" long x 3.25" wide, and was published by Church & Dwight Co. of New York City in 1925, with recipes compiled by the principal of Miss Farmer's School of Cookery, Boston, Massachusetts. It is in wonderful condition with no missing pages, and just the teeniest edge-rip on front cover near the top staple--so teeny that I nearly missed it! Some minor age-related foxing noted. Bound together tightly by two original staples. Fabulously colored and detailed front and back covers. .

The Swan's Down Cake Flour Booklet measures 7" long x 4.50" wide, and was published by Igleheart Bros of Evansville, Indiana in 1922. The cover of this booklet shows more wear than its offered companion, all wear appropriate for the age of the item. The booklet is bound by the original staples which remain very tight and intact. There is edge wear to covers as well as crease lines and scuffing. While the front cover is rather nondescript, the interior pages feature multiple, colored drawings of various, luscious confections as well as the company's history, a table of weights and measures, and an index. Interior pages have yellowed a bit from age and a couple pages here and there are stained presumably by ingredients as the particular recipes were being concocted.

Would love to try out a couple of these vintage recipes myself!

Measuring 11 inches wide x 6.25 high x 1.25 deep, this circa 1920's, architectural, children's, wooden block set made by the W. C. Hoag Company of Burlington, Vermont, is in near perfect condition!

The set appears to have never been used! All blocks are present and are in wonderful condition! The paper label attached to the sliding, wood cover is intact with very minor, age-appropriate edge wear and scuffing. What a fabulous, graphic image that would certainly command presence when displayed on a shelf! The integrity of the all-wooden box remains strong and sturdy.

Sets such as these could be found in the more affluent home as well as in early elementary level classrooms, as such toys or learning manipulatives, promoted the development of eye-hand coordination and visual-spatial reasoning skills.

Another delightful example of an Olde School House collectible-a tiny metal Student Merit Award Pin which is designed in the shape of a circular olive branch crown with the word "REWARD" on a blue enameled open textbook and the date "1924" inscribed on a white enameled scroll.

Items such as this were given to worthy students by their appreciative school teachers at the end of a term for a variety of reasons not the least of which were scholarship, attendance, and deportment.

This sweet little pin is in excellent, all original condition retaining its original and quite functional clasp! It measures 1/2 inch in diameter.

A darling little addition to one's Olde School House Collection!