Her felt and yarn stitched face portrays a startled expression and is accented by original celluloid hoop earrings. She wears a red bandanna, a white polka dot apron accented with red rickrack over her green, red, yellow and white flowered dress which is edged in white lace at the hem. She even wears a net petticoat underneath edged in red trim. Her machine-stitched clothes are odor free and are nicely constructed.

Mammy's body is constructed from a sand-filled milk bottle, and interestingly, her head is a styrofoam ball rather than simply being stuffed with cotton batting.

Measuring 9 by 11 inches framed, this gorgeous litho is not signed but other lithos from the same book and executed in the same style are indeed signed L. Hobbins.

A delightful piece which features the accompanying text on the reverse side.

The frame is a temporary and inexpensive one to allow the potential buyer to view the story on the backside, but the piece should be properly framed to enable its continued conservation once purchased.

Please ignore any white streaks seen in photos; these are the result of light reflection off of the glass.

This circa 1900-1910 Johnny Griffin item is a double image still bank that features 2 images of Johnny's head placed back-to-back. It was manufactured by the A.C. Williams Company of Ravenna, Ohio, which at the turn of the 20th century and up until World War II, was the largest toy and still bank manufacturer in the world. (At the start of WWII, production declined sharply as iron was needed for military consumption, marking the end of an era.) The bank is constructed of cast iron in two pieces which unscrew to facilitate the emptying of coins. There is a coin slot at the top of Johnny's head for use in depositing the coins. This sweet bank remains functional for banking use today or may be simply used as an attractive desk paperweight!

It is in all original condition with delightful patina- NOT a reproduction- and measures 4 inches high x 3 inches wide. It retains a majority of the original gold leaf paint. Photos of both faces of the bank have been provided.

The Johnny Griffin image- in the arena of Black Americana collectibles- should form the cornerstone of any serious Black Memorabilia collection!

Please take a moment to view the slightly smaller version of this same bank, offered separately.

Rarely found in this pristine condition, the head, hands and shoes are constructed of tenite, which was an early hard plastic. This African-American male pappy is 14 inches long and is all-original, even retaining his original strings and wooden "airplane" marionette controls. The latest patent date on the "airplane" label indicates that this puppet was produced in 1938. His smiling face is wonderful--and his life-like wool hair add to his character!

The Hazelle Company was a puppet-making company located in Kansas City, Missouri. The company began making hand puppets and marionettes in 1932, and it continued operations for the next 43 years. The founder, Hazelle Rollins, passed away in 1984, nine years after the company closed its doors.

A unique opportunity to acquire a superb, vintage, Black Memorabilia Marionette! Please see the companion Hazelle Little Black Girl and Boy Hand Puppets as well as the other 3 African-American themed Marionettes also offered! Photos of the 4 Hazelle Marionette puppets currently offered for purchase are featured here.

The song was written by Jacques Wolfe. The sheet music cover makes a bright and visually-appealing display piece!

This rarely found copy was written and illustrated by the renowned author of a number of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy stories of the period, Johnny Gruelle. The book was published in both the United States and Great Britain in 1926, by the P.F. Volland Company of Joliet, Illinois.

This copy has superficial scratches to the front and back covers, wear on book cover edges, subtle bending of the cover boards and some staining to the back cover (see photos). The book retains a 1929 dated inscription as well as pages numbered in pencil by a previous owner. A couple of pages also have minor tearing and staining. The binding is super-tight and all pages remain present.

The book is eleven chapters in length, approximately 88 un-numbered pages. Book is filled with a variety of black-ink and full-color illustrations as represented in photos. PLEASE NOTE: in the photos, the printing seems light and faded- not so! It is merely the function of over-lighting or light reflection.

Four of the hand towels were made by the same individual, and are entirely hand-crosstitched and hand-hemmed on a somewhat heavy-weight, cream-colored, cotton muslin. They measure approximately 36 inches square.

These four towels are as follows: "Monday"- featuring Mammy washing clothes in a wooden barrel, "Tuesday" featuring Mammy hanging clothes to dry on the clothesline, "Wednesday" featuring Mammy mending clothes, and "Thursday" featuring Mammy delivering a hand-picked, flower bouquet to a neighbor. Condition of all four towels is quite good with small, scattered, stain spots here and there- none in the area of the crosstitching.

The fifth towel, "Friday", is made of a slightly lighter weight and whiter-colored, cotton muslin. It measures 28 x 29 inches, and again, it has a tiny stain spot here and there away from the crosstitched area. The hems are machine stitched but the crosstitching is hand-completed. This towel features a humorous scene of Mammy serving/making pancakes while a pitcher of milk or water unknowingly spills behind her!

These delightful towels would look charming folded and displayed on a kitchen wall rack or could even be framed - folded so that only the cross-stitched area is visible in the frame!

Mammy's wonderful, smiling face is all hand-stitched while her clothes are machine sewn. Her blouse is striped cotton, as are Mammy's head, arms, skirt, apron, and cap. Her head, arms, and upper torso have been stuffed with cotton batting. The natural bristle broom fills out both Mammy's torso and skirt & the wooden broom handle extends upward through her neck and head.

Mammy is in all original condition with no mends or repairs. The structural integrity of the broom remains quite sound. Mammy's white cotton apron and cap have been professionally cleaned, removing nearly all traces of old stains, dirt, and dust.

Cardboard candy boxes with black themes remain EXTREMELY RARE finds in today's market!!!

The piece is in very fine condition with expected edge and corner wear. The top left seam of the cover has split but otherwise, the box remains intact with no missing pieces.

D. L. Clark Company History:

David L. Clark (1864-1939) was born in Ireland and came to America when he was eight years old. He entered the candy business working for a small manufacturer in New York. After three years as a salesman, he bought a wagon, horses and merchandise, and went into business for himself.

The D. L. Clark Company was founded in 1886 when Clark started manufacturing candy in two back rooms of a small house in Pittsburgh's North Side. He began selling his candy in the streets of Pittsburgh. During his lifetime, his company became a leading candy manufacturer.

By 1920, the D. L. Clark Company was making about 150 different types of candy, including several five-cent bars, specialty items and bulk candy. Clark was also manufacturing chewing gum in a building across the street from his candy factory. In 1921, they incorporated Clark Brothers Chewing Gum Company as a separate business.

By 1931, the candy bar business was so expansive that Clark decided to sell the gum company, and it was renamed the Clark Gum Company.

Remaining in its original frame, this watercolor retains its vibrant color. A lovely piece of Black Americana executed with some naivete!