This block set has had only four owners since the kit was first sold in the 1890s, as I purchased this set from the original owner's granddaughter in Brugge, Belgium in 2001.
The box contains 60+ stone blocks, only missing three blocks based on the paper packaging template pasted on the underside of the sliding box cover. The wooden box measures 1.75 inches high x 9.75 inches long x 7.25 inches wide. It is in great condition with the original paper lithographed cover remaining in place. Amazing after 135 years!
The concept of these architectural blocks began with German educator, Friedrich Froebel, who in the 1840's, laid the foundation for kindergarten and modern education with his belief in the value of liberal thinking and creativity. Among the many teaching "tools" he developed for the classroom to stimulate imagination, creativity, 3D perception and children's manual dexterity, were wooden building blocks.
Thirty years later in the 1870s, the Lilienthal brothers, inspired by the wooden blocks of Friedrich Froebel, developed a formula for manufacturing mineral-based building bricks, consisting of a mixture of quartz sand, chalk and linseed oil. This mixture resulted in a more stable building block because of both the weight and the precision-cut surfaces of the stones.
The Lilienthal brothers, unfortunately, were poor businessmen and within 10 years were forced to sell their stone block formula to Adolf Richter, a wealthy businessman in Friedrich Froebel’s village of Rudolstadt. Richter went on to build a factory in the early 1880s to produce these stone blocks, and successfully sold hundreds of these sets until his death in 1910, which were displayed at various exhibitions and won numerous awards.
The existing antique stone architectural block sets remained very popular within the international community throughout the 20th century, and new sets are still being made today in Germany.
Her painted black hair is molded, and she wears what is referred to as the "Low Brow hairstyle" with a middle part and curls coming down low over her brow. Her pretty face features pink-toned cheeks to match the tone of her dress.
As most antique porcelain China head dolls were made by German companies from 1836 to the 1940s, this unmarked doll is presumed to be German-made. She has a cloth body, with the typical, partial porcelain arms, legs, head and chest plate. Her tiny brown boots are painted on.
She retains all of her original, machine-stitched, pink linen clothing which is finely detailed with 1/2 inch wide lace all over her entire outfit- from her pantaloons and full petticoat, to her bodice collar and sleeve edges and her two-tiered skirt. Her pale blue silk ribbon waist sash matches the exquisite, blue ribbon detailing of her wide-brimmed pink bonnet.
Interestingly, her skirt and bodice after first being machine-stitched, were then hand-sewn onto her body. The bonnet ribbon trim was hand-sewn onto the bonnet, and then the bonnet under-the-chin tie (ending in a pretty cluster ribbon bow) was hand-sewn in place to ensure the bonnet did not fall off.
Doll body condition: excellent.
Clothing condition: Fabric in overall very fine structural condition. Some spotting to back of skirt fabric. Lace has yellowed with age. The two skirt side aprons and the bodice sleeves have yellowed slightly.
A sweet, beautiful, all-original, 150 year old antique doll!
The Work Projects Administration was designed to provide jobs across the country during the Great Depression when hundreds of thousands were out of work. While most WPA jobs were in construction and infrastructure, the most well-known project arm of the WPA, known as Federal Project Number One, employed musicians, artists, writers, actors and directors in arts, drama, media, and literacy projects. The five projects assigned to this consortium were: the Federal Writers’ Project (FWP), the Historical Records Survey (HRS), the Federal Theatre Project (FTP), the Federal Music Project (FMP), and the Federal Art Project (FAP).
The creation of these fabulous dolls fell under the WPA Federal Art Project, with the goal of representing and preserving the various aspects of the culture, work and lives of the Southern black community of this time period. All of the WPA black folk dolls produced for this project were placed on asphalt shingle stands, they all feature elderly folk, they all share black leather shoes, a cotton-batting stuffed body, and identical hand-stitched facial features, with subtle and unique variations in expression around the eyes due to the clever positioning of the eyebrows!
The gray-hair and bearded, fishing pole and tin-bait-can-toting, black, country gent on the left, is attired in machine-stitched clothing wearing faded tan cotton britches with knee patches and a red handkerchief poking out of a side pocket. His shirt is a pale orange cotton, and he wears a red polka dot kerchief around his neck. His hat is tan straw with black ribbon trim encircling the space where the missing top of his hat is supposed to be, exposing his gray hair! Over his shoulders he carries a bunch of firewood held together with rope- perhaps to use to cook that fish dangling off the end of his fishing pole.
The female doll depicts a lady out for a stroll with a black umbrella in her right hand and a bag of laundry in her left. Did she just pick up that laundry from a customer or is she delivering freshly washed clothes? This sweet gentlewoman wears a red and white polka dot kerchief on her head covering most of her gray hair and has embroidered facial features. Her head is turned slightly to her right as if to see who had just called out her name. Her clothes are all machine-sewn cotton, and she wears an assortment of different patterns: a chambray blue floral blouse, a cream and blue striped apron, and a navy blue and cream checked skirt. Topping off her outfit are a pair of gold bead hoop earrings and two prominent, round, red buttons at the top of her blouse! She has lost her asphalt shingle stand.
The Country Preacher is fully decked out to conduct worship services, from his black, wide-brimmed top hat down to his leather shoes, the left one, unfortunately, showing a bit of wear with his socked big toe peeking out! His machine-stitched clothing is all in the color black with the exception of his white ministerial collar. The preacher holds his real-wood walking stick securely in his right hand while clutching the Holy Bible under his left arm. Note the colorful red handkerchief that was placed in a back pants pocket, peeking out between the tails of his suit coat. The fully bearded preacher wears silver, wire-rimmed spectacles surrounding his soft and compassionate eyes and offers an open smile showing his front two teeth!
Three very special dolls, which today, are becoming very, very difficult to find, representing a snapshot of history, capturing the lives of poor southern black folk of the Depression era! All three in perfect condition and priced at $295.00 each.
Please see our other three 1930s Alabama WPA dolls, available in a separate listing and also pictured here, last photo.
The artistic detailing is fabulous! The character's head is constructed of an actual walnut painted black with hand-painted facial details. His face is encircled with light gray hair and beard, his head topped off with a worn, black felt hat. While he wears an intact kerchief-style necktie complimenting his red, cream, and blue, long sleeved shirt, his navy blue pants are obviously worn with large patches on both knees and his backside.
Measuring 10.5 inches high, this wonderful character's torso is stuffed with cotton batting over a wire support frame. A wonderful and unique piece reflecting a bygone era.
The graphics featuring a young Native American boy and girl, are completed in eye-popping color! They are feeding a carrot to a rabbit that stands between them. Their pony and calf stand close by.
The pail is marked "OHIO ART" to the right of the pony, and on its base is found the stamped sale price - a whopping 19 cents!
The condition of the pail is quite wonderful with very minimal wear showing on the base and rim edges as well as the handle, which still swings freely back and forth after 70 years! The graphics remain quite pristine! The shovel shows much more wear than does the pail on both the handle and the scoop, but the wear seems appropriate given its designed purpose. It likely was used for digging in other areas besides the beach sand! (See photos for details) Interestingly, the shovel's scoop is painted red on the front side and blue on the back side, matching the red and blue paint detailing of the pail.
A colorful, nostalgic, vintage toy that displays beautifully!
As most antique porcelain China head dolls were made by German companies from 1836 to the 1940s, this unmarked doll is presumed to be German-made. She has a cloth body, with the typical, partial porcelain arms and legs. Her white stockings and black, decoratively buttoned boots are painted on.
She retains all of her original, machine-stitched clothing which is finely detailed: her linen pantaloons are edged in ribbing and lace. Her full petticoat features a scalloped edging with window-pane applique as well as appliqued flowers bordering both sides of a threaded blue satin ribbon. Her gold and brown silk and velvet dress features gold-toned, appliqued lace on the bodice, sleeve edges and collar. The dress bodice is gold silk and the skirt is a combination of silk and ciselé velvet- a form of velvet where the pile uses cut and uncut loops to create a pattern, in this case- a floral pattern. The skirt hem is completed in a gathered solid brown velvet.
Doll condition: Very good. Cloth body, facial paint, and painted boots - excellent condition. Professional repairs to the shoulder plate as noted in photos. Tips of fingers on the left hand appear to have been professionally re-attached. Very tiny and minor paint-loss rubs to the back of the head, likely due to handling during play.
Clothing condition: Fabric in overall very good structural condition. Watermarks noted on the silk components and on the appliqued fabric. Small hole in right sleeve appliqued edging.
A gorgeous, all-original, 150 year old antique doll!
Painted a warm yellow, the shakers feature hand-painted details in black and red with an additional touch of elegance- a trademark of the Pearl China Company- the scripted names of the shakers, "Peppy" and "Salty", etched in 22kt gold!
The shakers offered for sale here were part of a set that featured shorter-sized salt and pepper shakers as well as both Mammy and Chef cookie jars. Pieces could be purchased as a set or separately.
A little history: The Pearl China & Pottery Company was formed in 1931 in East Liverpool, Ohio, and became known as the producer of many varied, fine ceramic and pottery products for the home over the years.
The connect-the-dots illustrations were both designed and published by Howard E. Altemus, Philadelphia. Hardcovered and cloth bound, the book contains 47 numbered pages and offers a generous 22 connect-the-dot puzzle pages! It even features an "Introduction" page where the author provides step-by-step instructions.
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!
Condition is a 9 out of 10, with the only wear noted on the book corner edges- minor wear, at that. The front cover features a pasted-on color illustration which shows no wear other than extremely slight scuffing to its edges here and there. A charming cover!
The interior binding is intact and tight as are all pages. No rips, creasing or bends to pages or pen/pencil markings, other than the carefully penciled-in completion of all 22 dot-to-dot puzzles. Interior illustrations are all black and white line drawings, allowing for the option of the child to color them in with crayons upon completion of the dot-to-dot. Two of the 22 puzzle pages are colored in.
Amazing condition for a 98 year old child's book that was clearly thoughtfully used and cared for! I have not seen this publication before in my many decades of specializing in Black Americana, so I surmise that the publication run was rather small, making this edition a very scarce find, indeed.
To see all of the Little Black Sambo items currently available for sale, simply type “Sambo” into the search box on our website homepage.
Copies of this book purporting to be 1st editions are frequently found on the internet, but it must be noted that unless the book has the 1943 copyright date, and the book contains SEVEN animated pages, it is NOT a FIRST EDITION. Subsequent year editions contained only 6 animations, with the latest edition from 1949 having only 5. Do not be fooled!
This 81 year old edition is in good condition with all pages present. All pages are free of rips, folds, water marks and writing, and all remain tightly bound via the original red plastic spiral binding. Some small, unobtrusive, age-related stains here and there. Illustration color on front cover and all interior pages is just magnificent!
The book exterior shows rubs and wear to edges and corners with some paper separation at the spine as seen in photo. The front cover appears to have partially detached from the binding at some earlier point, but was nicely reinforced on the interior side with specialty archival, acid-free book tape that is securely holding it in place. The back cover was also likewise reinforced providing fine stability to the book covers. The book measures approximately 8.75 inches long x 7 inches wide.
As stated, the 1st edition has 7 animated pages. All animations operate via a paper tab, trademarked by Julian Wehr, which is moved back and forth to cause animation. Six of the seven animations work perfectly. One animation remains fully intact but does not move, likely due to the separation of interior connecting tabs that facilitated movement. The only other imperfection to be noted is a single missing umbrella panel on animation #5 that would have moved as the tiger menacingly held it over frightened Little Black Sambo's head.
The SEVEN ANIMATIONS are as follows:
1) Sambo walking with umbrella
2) Sambo giving his jacket to the tiger
3) Sambo giving his pants to the tiger
4) Tiger grabbing for Sambo
5) Tiger opening umbrella
6) Tigers fighting
7) Jumbo, Mumbo and Sambo eating pancakes
This genuine 1st edition is seldom found and is a must-have for those who collect 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.
The clear glass perfume was the second version of the Vigny “Le Golliwogg” perfume produced from the 1920’s into the very early 1930’s. The bottle design and name are based on a character created by Englishwoman, Florence K. Upton, around the turn of the 20th century. The bottle, itself, was made by Verreries Brosse.
This fabulous all-glass piece, which is approximately 100 years old, remains in superb, UNOPENED condition and retains ALL three paper labels as well as the black silk fastening cord which must be cut in order to open the bottle.
On back, a tiny circular paper label reads, "71 O"(O=ounces), and on the base a rectangular label reads, “PARFUMS VIGNY, Lotion Le Golliwogg, Made in France, Reg. No. 22923 T.S.S.A.". Underneath this label, the base of the clear glass bottle is impressed, “VIGNY Made in France”. And most importantly of all, the bottle retains its fabulous, all-original, paper front label which reads, "Le Golliwogg de Vigny France".
The Golliwogg’s head is the perfume stopper (which is quite securely affixed in place), and the facial enameling which was hand-painted in France, remains as clear and crisp as the day it was applied! Even Golly's black furry hair, which is genuine Siberian Seal fur, retains its vibrant, original, dark tones with touches of brown! The Golly’s glass collar is enameled/painted white with double rows of black polka dots, and his feet are accented in black.
This very special, rarely-found piece has wide appeal to Black Americana, perfume bottle, and Golliwog collectors alike!
Type "Vigny" in the SEARCH box on our homepage to see all French Golliwogg Perfume bottles!
Type "golliwogg" into the SEARCH box on our home page to see all of our Golliwogg-related items for sale.
The eight inch tall bottle is in very good condition and is empty of contents. The ground glass stopper fits snugly, and some faint interior hazing from age and use is noted. The early hand written paper label is securely pasted to the bottle and is marked "ZINC CARBONAS."
A very nice, early, pontilled bottle indeed!
A second bottle from the same pharmacy labeled ACID ARSENIC is seen in some of the photos and is available for separate sale in another listing. Enter "ACID" in the search box.
This eight and 1/2 inch tall bottle is in very good condition and is empty. A few unobtrusive, tiny exterior imperfections are seen and felt. The interior of the bottle notes mild hazing and faint product lines.
The molded ground glass stopper fits well and the hand written early paper label is marked "ACID ARSENIC".
Very nice indeed!
A second bottle from the same pharmacy labeled ZINC CARBONAS is seen in some of the photos and is available for purchase in a separate listing. Enter "ZINC" in the search box.
The colorful, hand-painted image speaks for itself! As a lifelong golfer, I can attest to the hundreds of dreadful challenges encountered when golfing....many worth forgetting. This determined fella has not given up and will once again have a tall tale to tell as to how he navigated (and perhaps 3 putted) the green from h..l!
The painting is done in bright, eye-catching colors, featuring a pale yellow background sky. The first photo captures these colors the best. Measurements: Wood Frame - 19.5" wide x 15.5" high x 1.5" deep.
Components: The wood frame is stained and sealed in a medium pine brown color tone. The painting is on board.
The condition is very good overall. There are various tiny, age-related imperfections present, primarily to the frame: slight scuffs, scratches, very minor paint losses- all due to age.
A delightful image guaranteed to bring a smile or chuckle whether one is a golfer or not!
Please take a moment to view the companion comical Golf painting also being offered: "C1970s Painting - Golfer Peering at His Ball from a Cliff Side Bunker"!
This colorful, hand-painted image speaks for itself! As a lifelong golfer, I can attest to the hundreds of dreadful challenges encountered while golfing....many that I'd like to forget- but none as challenging as this one!
The painting is done in bright, eye-catching colors, featuring a pale yellow background sky. The first photo captures these colors the best. Measurements: Frame - 19.5 high x 15.5" wide x 1.5" deep.
Components: The wood frame is stained and sealed in a medium pine brown color tone. The painting is on board.
The condition is very good overall. There are various minor, age-related imperfections with teeny scuffs, touch-ups, and scratches present. In particular along the far left side of the painting, are noted faint and intermittent, tiny vertical scratches that begin on the top of the frame, and terminate at the the bottom of the painting. These likely occurred while the painting was accidentally scraped along a rough edge while being handled. The tiny, intermittent scratches are not very evident at all when the painting is being viewed, but are more readily noticed only in the blown-up, closeup photo featuring the ball at the base of the sandtrap.
A delightful and comical painting sure to bring a knowing smile to anyone who has ever golfed!
Please take a moment to view the companion comical Golf painting also being offered: "C1970s Comical Painting of Golfer in Knickers on Impossible Green"!
Deep grooved clubs were designed to significantly enhance the backspin of a golf ball. As history would have it, these clubs actually worked quite well and gave an unfair advantage to those professionals who were adept at using them! In 1921, RIBBED GOLF CLUBS were banned just after the OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP by both the R&A and USGA.
The back of the club is stamped as follows: "Kroydon U6 GEO HANSEN", and measures 36.5 inches from heel to top of shaft. The sole is stamped SPADE MASHIE. The leather grip appears to be original and is in good condition. The hickory shaft is straight and sturdy and has "M515" stamped below the grip. The head of the club shows mild and honorable wear, good grooves with minor scattered pitting to the surface.
A very nice example of an early club with a controversial history!
For more details search DEEP GROOVE GOLF CLUB - JOCK HUTCHISON - RIBBED GOLF CLUB
This club measures 36.25 inches from the heel to the end of the shaft. It is stamped 'MASHIE NIBLICK' on the sole and notes a 'FLYING CROW' cleek mark and 'SPALDING' etc. on the back. The face sports a DEEP GROOVE pattern and a darkened patina. The grip is an old replacement and the sturdy hickory shaft is straight with slight loss at the hosel end. The clubhead shows mild wear with the expected scratches, scuffs of an antique club. A nice seldom-found Spalding Bros. deep groove golf club!
SOME HISTORY
"A.G. SPALDING BROS. began its golf club manufacturing in 1892, first in the USA and then in Britain shortly thereafter. In 1905, they introduced their popular "GOLD MEDAL" model and continued this successful line until 1919. The Kro - Flite example was first manufactured in the 1920's and eventually became one of Spalding's most popular models. They have been a major innovator / manufacturer in golf and other sports equipment for many years.
This club measures almost 37 inches from the heel to the end of the shaft. It is also stamped 'MASHIE' on the sole and notes a 'FLOWER' cleek mark and the word, 'SPECIAL', etc. on the back. The face sports a DEEP GROOVE pattern and a darkened patina. The grip is an old replacement, and the sturdy hickory shaft is straight. There is a small wood chip on the shaft next to the hosel (as seen in the photo), and mild wear and dings are evident, but most prominent, on the leading edge of the club. I believe that 'DEDSTOP' is a model name used by Spalding. I have not seen the 'FLOWER' cleek mark on a Spalding club before, so there is a bit of question as to who made this club. An interesting, circa 1915, seldom-found club.
SOME HISTORY
"A.G. SPALDING BROS. began its golf club manufacturing in 1892, first in the USA and then in Britain shortly thereafter. In 1905, they introduced their popular "GOLD MEDAL" model and continued this successful line until 1919. The Kro - Flite example was first manufactured in the 1920's and eventually became one of Spalding's most popular models. They have been a major innovator/manufacturer in golf and other sports equipment for many years.
The crutch measures approximately 46.5 inches in length x 8 inches wide at the arm support. The pole section or the leg of the crutch is about 43 inches long x 1.25 inches wide x 1 inch deep in dimension. It sports bench-made, skilled joinery as evidenced by the wooden pinned mortise and tenon joint. The bottom tip reveals a few worn nails embedded into it, likely to help reduce wear. The finish shows an all-original, warm patina as typically seen in other early wooden objects of similar age.
Overall, there is evidence of mild wear and tear, and the arm support joint is slightly loose- all commensurate with an antique object designed for this purpose and of this era.
A fine early medical example to add to your collection.
Please also see the RARE Civil War Field Surgical / Mortuary Gleasons Table offered for sale.