Catalog (463)

Offered is a skillfully hand-crafted, Civil War era, soldiers' crutch constructed entirely of wood.

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.

Offered is a circa 1928, very scarce, George Sargent, DEEP GROOVE, hickory shaft, golf club.

The unique features of this club are (1) - only 1/2 of the face has deep grooves, and (2) - the grooves are ground at an acute angle which is quite unlike any I have yet to see documented. The more common deep groove examples have grooves throughout the face, with the grooves parallel to the sole.

The back of the club is stamped as follows: George Sargent - CHEVY CHASE (a Maryland suburb of Washington, DC).

The club measures 36.5 inches from heel to the top of the shaft. The leather grip appears to be original and is in good condition. The hickory shaft is slightly bent. The head of the club shows modest and honorable wear, and good grooves with generalized pitting to the surface.

Deep groove clubs were designed to significantly enhance the backspin of a golf ball, causing it to stop quickly. As history would have it, these clubs actually worked quite well and provided an unfair advantage to those professionals who were adept at using them (esp. Jock Hutchison)!

In 1922, DEEP GROOVED GOLF CLUBS were banned just after the OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP by the R&A (Royal & Ancient- the UK's much older version of the USGA), and later by the USGA. Of interest, this club was imported from the UK and was still being offered for sale 6 years after the ban. The club was, perhaps, a special order/experimental design commissioned by George Sargent. Certainly, a very unique example of an early club design sporting a colorful history!

For more details, search DEEP GROOVE GOLF CLUB - JOCK HUTCHISON - RIBBED GOLF CLUB.

A brief biography:
George Sargent was born in England in 1882. He began his career path rather early, beginning as an apprentice golf club maker by the young age of 12. After 3 years of training, George's path gradually progressed into playing professional golf, and by the age of 19, George was playing professionally full-time. He eventually moved to Canada, becoming a club pro. By 1909, George successfully won the US OPEN and continued his career in the US. He was head pro at various prodigious country clubs including EAST LAKE in Atlanta, designed numerous courses, and is credited with introducing the use of motion pictures to study the golf swing. He served as the president of the PGA for 5 years, and was inducted into the PGA hall of fame.

All three of these darling, antique, tin kitchen implements came from the estate of esteemed expert and collector of Pennsylvania Dutch country art, furnishings and crafts, Earl F. Robacker, who published numerous books and articles on this culture from the 1930’s through the 1960s. Upon his passing in 1985, his vast collections were offered at a series of Pennsylvania Dutch country auctions, at which these three pieces were purchased.

The first piece, measuring just 3 inches in length, is an unusual 19th century heart cookie cutter in fine, all-original condition!

The second piece, measuring just 3.25 inches in length, is a delightful 19th century, three leaf clover cookie cutter, also in fine condition. An earlier, older restoration to one seam at the base is evident.

The third piece, the diminutive 19th century grain or flour scoop, measures just 4.5 inches in length and is, again, in fine, all original condition. A tiny spot of very superficial rust here and there may be removed, if so desired, by polishing with a clear paste wax.

All three 19th century, antique, tin implements are very sweet accent pieces that would grace any country or early kitchen implement collection - or can actually be used, if so desired!

Offered is this very scarce, circa 1900, Willie Dunn, Smooth Face Hickory Shaft Golf Club. The club is sleek in design, low profile in stance and of quality manufacture. Although smooth face golf clubs fell out of fashion by the very early 1900s, they were still offered in catalogues for a number of years beyond this date.

This smooth face club is stamped on the back "WILLIE DUNN - NEW YORK". The original appearing leather grip is in fair condition with some loss, and the hickory shaft sports a nice aged patina.

Measures 37 inches from heel to top of shaft and is probably a MASHIE NIBLICK although it is not marked as such. There are various small leading edge dings, minimal pitting to the metal surface and examples of wear commensurate with this club's 110+ years of age and use.

Of English origin, Willie Dunn settled with his wife and son in New York. His first professional position was at the Ardsley Country Club, Ardsley, New York, where he designed the course and established a club-making business in 1896. Not only was he a very talented golf club maker, he was also an accomplished professional golfer finishing 2nd in the inaugural US OPEN. He also gained a fine reputation as an outstanding golf course designer. Please refer to some wonderful history on his life on WIKIMEDIA.

INTERESTING INFO

In an interview Willie Dunn remembered he was the first to play with the rubber-cored ball which had just been invented. Dunn was on a train traveling from Chicago to New York when he received a telegram asking him to stop over in Cincinnatl, where he found a man named Haskell waiting for him. The gentleman told Willie Dunn he had invented a new golf ball and he told Dunn that he would give him $500 If he would try it and pass favourably upon it. Dunn stopped off and tried the ball, he just teed up the rubber core and was charmed by the sweet way it left the club. He just signed the recommendation and was the first pro to play the Haskell ball.

Offered is a 1992 copyright edition of "Olmans' Guide to Golf Antiques & Other Treasures of the Game" by John M. and Morton W. Olman that is in near excellent condition. With a foreward by multiple US Open Champion winner (1974,1979, 1990), Hale Irwin, this outstanding reference is packed with a treasure trove of interesting photographs as well as pertinent information for the collector, historian or casual reader to enjoy.

The Olman father and son team have created a reference that will hit the sweet spot for those looking for well-referenced golf collectibles and clubs. The reference also offers expert advice and information including techniques to assist with dating and confirming that one's golf treasures are authentic and not reproductions.

The sport of golf owns a colorful history, and this reference delivers that historical perspective in a meaningful way ensuring that golf enthusiasts have the knowledge at hand to collect wisely.

There are 267 pages to this hard bound reference including a dust jacket. Measures 10" x 7.5" x 1" and weighs just over 2 pounds.

Consider this volume a 'must have' text to add to one's reference library.

Offered is an interesting group of five, amber-colored, Eli Lilly medicine POISON bottles. All bottles are empty of contents.

The first bottle is a 5 inch tall CODEINE PHOSPHATE medicine which sports a screw cap and partial 1 cent narcotics tax label. This is a circa 1950s era bottle with good full label in nice shape.

The 2nd bottle is a tiny 2.25 inch ATROPINE SULFATE hypodermic tablet example complete with screw cap and full label in nice order dating to the 1950 - 1960 era.

The 3rd and 4th bottles are identical, corked poisons, MERCURY BICHLORIDE antiseptics, sporting ribbed edges on back, circa 1930s era. The 3.75 inch bottles also have the word 'POISON' boldly embossed on back. They each have a good, complete label, one of which notes some writing in black crayon. Both bottles show mild wrinkling in the label. Together they make a nice pair.

Finally, bottle #5, circa 1930's era, is saved as the "best for last"! It measures about 2.75 inches and sports a near perfect POISON label. The bottle has ribbed embossing including the word POISON on the back.

Together all five bottles make a fine quintet!

Offered are two circa 1900-1910 era, SMOOTH FACE, hickory shaft golf clubs both with professionally replaced leather grips. The clubs sport an original patina and finish adding to their appeal. Both clubs have the normal wear, dings commensurate with age and use.

Club number one is a smooth face putter. It is a ladies' example with an (L) and "J.H. NORTON MAKER - HOLLYWOOD, NJ, boldly stamped on the back. The club measures 30.5 inches from the heel to the top of the nearly straight shaft. A well made club by a maker who most likely was associated with the prestigious HOLLYWOOD GOLF CLUB near the New Jersey shore.

The second club is a very nice smooth face, unmarked, mashie that has the following stamped on the back: "VICTOR O.W. CO." There is a small wood chip missing on the straight shaft by the hosel as seen in the photo. The club measures 37 inches from the heel to the end of the straight shaft.

A nice looking duo of well-made, seldomly found clubs from these makers.

Offered is a scarce, circa 1922 era, golf club marked MASHIE-NIBLICK.

The club sports a modestly worn original grip and a good, straight, hickory shaft. It measures just over 36 inches from the heel to the end of the shaft. The condition is good with only a few minor leading edge dings and wear commensurate with age and use.

SOME HISTORY:
The Klin family were from Danzig, Germany, emigrating to Dayton, Ohio, about 1888. Over the years, the brothers held various positions in different states working within the club making industry. They eventually came together in 1922, renting an empty flour mill in Homewood, Illinois, and the Klin Brothers Golf Manufacturing Company was born. Collectively, they were known for making quality clubs as evidenced by this example. They continued successfully in business until 1926, when they were forced to file for bankruptcy.

Offered is a beautiful, circa 1895, Spalding Morristown model, Splice Neck Brassie Golf Club made in the Scotland.

This handsome club shows evidence of only light use with minimal wear noted to the face and sole. The clubhead was skillfully made from durable dogwood and is expertly spliced into the finest hickory shaft. The head sports a warm honey toned original finish. The sole is adorned with a brass plate which protects the horn at the leading edge of the face. The expertly replaced leather grip is covering the original listing. Two "MORRISTOWN" stamps are noted with the first at the top of the shaft and a second stamp which is faintly seen on the crown of the club head.

The club measures 40.5 inches long from the heel to the end of the shaft. A slight gradual bend is noted towards the lower quarter of the shaft. An eye catching early club!

Please note the photographed 1895 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS document from the SPALDING catalogue archives, confirming the origin and maker of MORRISTOWN golf clubs.

******NOTE****** BOTTLES PRICED EACH ***** Offered is a wonderful group of 3, circa 1920-1930 era, John Wyeth apothecary bottles sporting fancy, shield-shaped, gold toned foil labels. Decorative stock bottles such as these beauties were meant to be refilled and reused and were the pride of the pharmacy staff. Eye-catching, reflective medicine bottles such as these also served as an advertising mechanism as they often were placed prominently high on cabinet shelves in plain view. The 8.5 inch amber bottles are empty and in excellent condition. The ground glass stoppers cannot be removed and appear perfect. The front labels show slight wear and faint stains commensurate with age and use.

***NOTE***ETHOBRAL is a Narcotic

It will be hard task to find bottles with labels in this fine condition. A lovely trio not to be missed!

AROMATIC CHLOROFORM - $55.00

QUININE/STRYCHNINE - $55.00

ETHOBRAL (BARBITUATE sedative) - $68.00

******NOTE****** BOTTLES PRICED $55.00 EACH ***** Offered is a wonderful group of 3, circa 1920-1930 era, John Wyeth apothecary bottles sporting fancy, shield-shaped, gold toned foil labels. Decorative stock bottles such as these beauties were meant to be refilled and reused and were the pride of the pharmacy staff. Eye-catching, reflective medicine bottles such as these also served as an advertising mechanism as they often were placed prominently high on cabinet shelves in plain view. The 8.5 inch amber bottles are empty and in excellent condition. The ground glass stoppers cannot be removed and appear perfect. The front labels show slight wear and faint stains commensurate with age and use.

It will be hard task to find bottles with labels in this fine condition.

A lovely trio not to be missed!

Offered are three nice, collectible, C1920 - 1930 era, hickory shaft golf clubs.

The first club is stamped on the back with the following: "Hillerich & Bradsby Co. - Louisville, KY - GRAND SLAM" with the "hand and cards" cleek mark". The "#7" is stamped on the sole. The face is DOT stamped with a fancy "GRAND SLAM" mark on the sweet spot. The straight shaft measures 35.5 inches to the heel and sports a replaced leather grip.

The second club is stamped on the back with the following: "LADY BURKE" in an oval - the "#11", the "SCALES" cleek mark and "NIBLICK". The straight shaft is 35 inches long to the heel and sports a nice patina and original grip with a small piece missing. The face has a straight line configuration.

The third club, which has "MASHIE" stamped on the sole, measures 36.5 inches and has an original leather grip and a shaft with a slight bend. The back has the following stamps: "Approved by GOLFERS ASSN. of AMERICA" and "CRAIG WOOD - LOUISVILLE G.C. - MASHIE and P-52".

SOME HISTORY:
The Burke Company was the offshoot of another Ohio golf manufacturer. Its founder, William Burke, had managed MacGregor's club-making for nearly 15 years before branching out on his own in 1910 and converting his new company into Burke Golf Company, beginning with a full production of complete golf clubs.
Truly one of the world’s best golfers during his era, Craig Wood, was the winner of 21 PGA Tournaments including both the Masters and U.S. Open in 1941. He spent many of his most competitive seasons as a head professional in New Jersey and was a member of three Ryder Cup teams (1931, 1933, 1935). He worked at Forest Hill Field Club in Bloomfield from 1928-31 and at Hollywood Golf Club in Deal from 1932-35.

Craig Wood was the first player to lose all four major championships in extra holes. His major wins came late in his career at age 39.

Offered are two, circa 1930 era golf clubs, each sporting complete, original, leather grips and hickory shafts, all in good condition.

The first club has the following stamped on the back in an oval: "Wright & Ditson SPECIAL", plus "HAMMER FORGED" and the cleek mark image. A worn "MASHIE NIBLICK" stamp is noted on the sole. The face has a dot style stamping, and the shaft has "WRIGHT & DITSON" stamped near the grip. The shaft has an old repair and a bend. Overall, a nice club with mild wear to the metal appropriate for its age.

The second club is a handsome 3 iron Spalding Kro-Flite model sporting a lined face with a fancy circular design in the sweet spot. The #3 is stamped on the sole. The back has the following stamping: "Professional Golf Assoc. - Custom Made KRO-FLITE" and a crow cleek mark. The condition is very good noting a slight bend towards the handle and a wonderful patina.

In 1892, A. G. Spalding & Bros, acquired the Wright & Ditson Company to enhance their position in the club making industry. Wright & Ditson company was founded in 1871, and the name continued to be used by Spalding on both golf clubs & balls into the 1940's.

Offered is a scarce, C1930 era, laminated wood shafted, 3 iron golf club. The stamping on the back includes: "SPALDING KRO-FLITE" with the crow cleek mark plus "J.VICTOR EAST - LONGMEADOW C.C. - LONGMEADOW MASS." etc. The club is stamped "3" on the sole and measures 37 inches from the heel to the end of the straight shaft. The club is in very good condition with minimal wear, scratches and some finish loss to the shaft commensurate with age and use.

SOME HISTORY:
Spalding began making clubs in the USA in the mid 1890s. The most successful seller of all their clubs was the KRO-FLIGHT model, first introduced in 1927. This club's unusual features are: (1) A laminated shaft that was patent pending and (2) the club is endorsed by J.Victor East and identified by the country club in which he worked.
J.Victor East, at the age of only 14, became head golf professional at the Royal Sydney Golf Club, Sydney, Australia. He eventually immigrated to the USA and worked as a professional at various clubs including Longmeadow Country Club in 1924. He also was the chief club designer for Spalding until 1941, and later, worked as a consultant at Wilson Sporting Goods Company. His illustrious professional career also included being an author, educator and clubmaker.

Offered is an exceedingly unique and unusual, 1939 copyright, Marine, Illinois, 10 page, all-paper (including front and back covers), advertising "Give-Away" pamphlet which tells the complete story of LITTLE BLACK SAMBO. It features both full color and black ink with red accent illustrations. In such near perfect condition, it must never have been read or played with!

The lower back exterior cover reads: "Remember Jos. Pohl & Sons, Inc. and J. I. Case Sales and Service, Marine, Illinois, Dial Phone 2501" as well as "No.528", "Made in USA". On the bottom of the first page, the publisher and copyright date are printed: "MCMXXXIX (1939) Sam'l Gabriel Sons & Company, New York".

Such an unique and very exceptional piece of early 20th-century, Marine, Illinois, historical ephemera!

The story of Little Black Sambo, of course, was to become 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 an amazing 9.5 out of 10, for this ALL PAPER PAMPHLET that is now approximately 85 years of age! All pages have been photographed which clearly show condition throughout. The pamphlet is bound together via two rusty staples which remain intact and are firmly holding all pages and the covers together. All of the very colorful illustrations remain quite bright and vibrant. Measures approximately 5.25 inches wide x 7.25 inches tall.

Amazing condition for an 85 year old, paper advertising story pamphlet that clearly was never enjoyed by a young child - and one that may very well be the only copy remaining in existence! For the collector and lover of the tale of Little Black Sambo, this is a must-have!

To see the Little Black Sambo items currently available for sale, simply type “Sambo” into the search box on our website homepage.

Published in 1913, by Valentine & Sons, Dundee, London, and Montreal, this extremely rare publication, "Ten Little Nigger Boys", is a highly creative and imaginative variation of the original 1869 minstrel song "Ten Little Niggers", composed by the British songwriter Frank Green.

(Likely inspired by Frank Green's lyrics, Agatha Christie, in 1939, composed her very well-known "Ten Little Niggers" story, with the title for the 1940 US edition changed to "And Then There Were None", the final line of the story. It goes without saying that all versions of this tale are highly derogatory.)

The Valentine publication follows the original pattern of the young boys meeting their demise one by one, with only one boy remaining at the end of the story. What sets this publication apart from all other versions, is that an entirely different and creative story has been composed. In "Ten Little Nigger Boys", the ten "naughty boys", all about the same age, decide to run away together on a sailboat called "The Saucy Sue", which they "borrowed from an old sailor coon for an hour" with no intention of ever returning. On a mission to find a desert island that they would have all to themselves, the boys, one by one, meet their demise by drowning, by being eaten by a whale, by gunpowder explosion, by accidental gunshot, by abduction by an elephant (they found their island), and by the swallowing of a sea monster! The one remaining boy is rescued at the end by "an aeroplane commanded by a brave army captain", and was brought home "where everyone made a hero of him".

Measuring 8 inches wide x 9 inches tall, each page of the book is imaginatively illustrated with black ink drawings highlighted with red. Valentine & Sons Publishers, a lithographic printing firm, was founded in Dundee, Scotland in 1825, by John Valentine. His son, James, an early pioneer of photography, reproduced his work as prints and stereo-views. By 1896, the company began printing postcards, and it grew to become Scotland's leading manufacturer of color-tone picture postcards. For a brief period of years between the late 1890's and early 1900's, the company produced a small selection of children's books to supplement their earnings, utilizing a style they referred to as a "cut-out"; this book, is an example.

Condition: Good-- for its 111 years of age, showing the expected wear of a well-read, antique, children's book! Sturdy, thick cardboard covers with paper pages. Unpaginated. The book spine is held together by two, large, intact, original staples. The center page has separated from the staples, and a small section of this page is missing as seen in photo (for purposes of photography to better illustrate the missing section, a white paper was placed in its place; otherwise, the missing section would be difficult to discern, blending into the preceding page.). All pages are present, and except for the one separated page, all remain sturdily attached to the spine. Small edge tears and some soiling are present on various pages throughout the book. The front and back covers show edge wear and some soiling, and the top tip of the front cover above the "E" in "Little" is missing. Both the front and back covers are missing the small section that would have, on the front cover, illustrated the head of the boy in the green jacket standing on the right side of the boat. The front cover also displays a horizontal crease line which corresponds to the book's spine. This crease naturally occurred over time due to the book's design and manner in which it is opened (The front cover is lifted up and over to open the book. See photos.) The back cover shows evidence of some superficial water staining that did not seep through to its other side.

All but three pages of this book have been photographed, as I am limited to twelve photos per listing. The first six pages of the story are represented, followed by the final three of the story.

As the production of children's books was only a supplemental sideline for Valentine publishing, very few of these books were originally produced, and fewer still remain today. This is the first copy that I have ever seen in my decades of specializing in Black Memorabilia, and I have found no others available for sale on the internet. This antique children's book is truly a very rare offering, and its age-related flaws do not detract from its significant collectible value.

Offered is a lovely and serene oil painting of an older black gentleman fishing by the riverside. The painting is done in a flowing, Impressionist style, with a masterful use of quick, loose brushstrokes and much natural light, which contributes to this peaceful scene. The artist then focuses on careful attention to detail in her execution of the lone fisherman.

The primary colors utilized are a tonal range of yellows, blues and greens suggesting a spring or early summer day. The gentleman is taking a quick look at his bait bucket as his fishing pole line rests on the river bottom.

The canvas measures 16 wide x 20 inches long, and is signed, "Marge Gartlan", an unknown artist. The back of the canvas shows some foxing, but none is present on the front, so the painting, itself, is not effected. In the lower left corner (see photo) a very faint and superficial line, beginning above the artist signature and extending toward the gentleman's right calf, is noted- perhaps a rub occurring during storage? It does not detract from the painting.

The painting will require re-framing as it is currently housed in a hastily and poorly painted frame- as it was found- but which, certainly, desires more.

Nonetheless, this oil, as it presently stands, radiates peace and tranquility in nature, and will grace any art or Black Americana collection!

Offered are two, choice, circa 1920s - 1930 era hickory shaft golf clubs.

The first club, the ladies' 7 iron, comes with considerable pedigree. It was offered by the golf professional Frank Belwood while employed as Club Pro at Garden City Golf Club in NY. This club is a handsome ladies' mid iron with a somewhat low profile construction measuring 38 inches to the heel. The hickory shaft has a nice original patina. Noted is a slight bend towards the club head with a faint split at the hosel. The leather grip appears original and is in good condition except for some loss as seen in the photo. The club head sports dot face styling and is in good condition with mild leading edge dings. The back of the club is stamped "F.BELWOOD - GARDEN CITY"- (within a double oval) plus "SPECIAL - HAND FORGED, and (L)" indicating a ladies club.

The second club, a Putting Cleek, is in very good overall condition sporting a solid hickory shaft with an original patina. The early grip is generally good except for a small missing piece. The head sports a dot-punched style on the front, and the shaft is straight. The back is stamped with the following: "GUARANTEED HAND FORGED - PUTTING CLEEK" - and H. WATE?? SPECIAL" in an oval.

SOME HISTORY ON FRANK H. BELWOOD:
Garden City Golf Club, founded in 1899, was one of the first golf courses established in the USA, and in 1902, hosted the US OPEN. Frank H. Belwood was a successful golfer for many years and was the club professional for Garden City Golf Club in NY until the early 50s. He was a charter member of the PGA, and during the early history of American golf, he participated in various major tournaments competing against the best players of his era.

ADDITIONAL INFO ON THE PUTTING CLEEK:
A putting cleek has more loft than a putter. The cleek putting style was popular in early golf and it was said to give the player more options. On smoother greens, the players hands would be placed forward in the stroke to de-loft the club and get the ball rolling smoothly. On bumpy/rough greens it would be held normally and the extra loft would "raise the ball above the roughness".