The first piece is a 12 page paper pamphlet written by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions that discusses the Mission philosophy and world-wide global plan to convert or evangelize Africans, Asians, and Native Americans. An interesting historical perspective. Printed in Boston, Massachusetts, by Perkins + Martin, 1838-- excellent condition.

Marked "Copyright 1924", in the lower left hand corner, this extremely hard-to-find advertising piece measures 10.5 inches wide x 13.5 inches high. Colorful and visually interesting, the heavy cardboard diecut depicts an engaging Uncle Wabash serenely strumming his banjo on his front porch! Guess the message to the consumer was, "Eat one of Uncle Wabash's cupcakes to experience your own little slice of heaven and serenity!"

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.

This pleasant trio of Sapolio Soap diecuts is in excellent condition and comes protected in an attractive, walnut-toned, oak decorative frame!

Mammy’s sweet little face has been carefully hand-stitched, and she has been nicely dressed in a red and green plaid dress with linen apron and red flowered head scarf. She holds a bunch of sticks in her right arm- presumably to add to a fire.

On the base reads, "DEP. 1244 M.F." signifying the label's French manufacture.

Seldom found on today's Black Americana market, this piece comes out of a Long Island, New York, estate and was said to have been used in New York City area Black Minstrel Shows. The condition of the piece is quite remarkable given its 70+ years of age.

While the Black Minstrel Ukulele has long ago lost its strings, the FOLK ART quality painting to the front and back of the Uke is wonderful, with little paint wear! The front of the Uke is painted to resemble the stereotypical chicken, with the Uke neck top painted as the chicken’s head and Uke body, the chicken’s body featuring two yellow feet. A second chicken seated in its nest is painted on the Uke front around the sound opening.

The back of the Uke features hand-painted stereotypical watermelon and the title, “The FATTEST MINSTREL”.

The ukulele does not bear a maker's mark. It measures 21.5 inches long x 6.75 inches wide at its widest point. It is missing the string screws used to adjust string tension. The bow, amazingly, still has its original strings which are quite frayed.

The FOLK ART quality painting to the Black Minstrel Ukulele case cover is fabulous and also remains in extraordinarily good condition! The leatherette Uke case, measuring approximately 23 inches long x 7.5 inches wide at its widest point, is black on the exterior and is lined with a tan, checkered paper on the interior.

The Ukulele case cover is decorated with a wonderfully executed SORROWFUL, FAT BLACK FACE, hand-painted within a white halo-like circle, featuring red rimmed lips & a blue bow tie with white polka dots. The words "Amo's Jonah" are hand-painted in black letters bordered by red. Virtually no wear to the painted areas, but the case does have surface edge wear and “puncture wounds” here and there on both the cover and the case bottom.

The child’s head nods up and down in a "yes" motion by pivoting on a tiny metal bar inserted through her neck (see photos).

Condition is mint, and the piece is signed on the bottom of her right foot: “Hand Painted Lenwile China Ardalt Japan 6530 B”.

Black nodders are quite difficult to come by and have become an interesting sub-collecting category in the field of Black Americana! Not to be missed!