$35.00
"Defense de Fumer..sans Microphosphate Schloesing."
Translated to English, it literally means "No Smoking without Schloesing Microphosphate", clearly an advertisement for a chemical product made by the Schloesing Company.
Certainly a conversation piece in very good condition with the expected mild and non-substantial wear with minor rust here and there to the painted surface. The sign has 4 small holes at each corner for easy mounting.
$195.00
The puppet, itself, is 14 inches tall and is colorfully dressed in blue and white checked pants, red shoes, orange and whit polka dot shirt, straw hat and red patterned neck scarf.
The puppet's face is composition and bears evidence of some age-related crackling as noted in photos. He has a tiny piece if composition missing on the left side of his neck partially covered by his neck scarf, so it is very difficult to notice. He bears a manufacturer stamp on the bottom of his right foot, but it is partial and unreadable. His hands which hold colorful pink straw maracas are a heavy molded plastic.
The puppet is free of stains, dirt and odor. He retains his original black strings and wooden airplane controller!
$25.00
This handsome wooden beauty is embellished with a fancy decorated mortar and pestle on top, stylized, Victorian-look lettering spelling out "PHARMACY" in the center, and vintage-look advertising for "LOG CABIN EXTRACT" at the bottom.
The condition is good with slight areas of paint lifting or loss, primarily on the edge.
A tiny "MADE IN JAPAN" label and the original price tag are present on back. Ready to hang!
$85.00
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.
$225.00
The first example, as seen on the left, measures 3.5 inches and has a heavy brass base and an aluminum compression rod. There is a removable brass nozzle that screws into the base. This diminutive hand size mill would fill 1 to 2 ounce medication tubes and sports a nice patina. There are no markings seen and just minor superficial wear is evident.
The second mill, as seen on the right, measures 4 inches and has a one piece molded aluminum base and a brass compression rod. Perfect for filling smaller tubes, this example fits comfortably in one's hand. The condition is very good except for a small chip noted at the end of nozzle.
The third and final mill featured in the center of the primary photograph sports 3 legs and two removable brass nozzles. The nickel plating covers what appears to be brass, showing minimal wear only to the top of the feet. This unmarked 6.25 inch high beauty has all-original patina and has capacity enough to have filled either multiple or larger-sized medicine tubes.
Also included are four medicine recipe cards from the 1950's noting proprietary medicines from "BUTLERS" drug store establishment.
$70.00
The toy is operated by pushing either side handle in a downward motion, which makes the words and pictures spin inside the toy. When the motion stops, four different spelling words with their accompanying pictures appear in the eight different windows.
Other than light surface blemishes due to age and gentle use, and the 4 missing tab covers which are supposed to keep the spelling words hidden, this vintage toy is in remarkable condition and makes a very colorful display piece!
$245.00
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 3 inches high x 2 1/2 inches wide. It retains traces of the original gold leaf paint and may (or may not!) have a replaced screw.
The Johnny Griffin image- in the arena of Black Americana collectibles- should form the cornerstone of any serious Black Memorabilia collection!
To see all of the Johnny Griffin items currently available for sale, simply type “Johnny Griffin” into the search box on our web home page.
$295.00
Measuring 4 inches wide x 3 3/4 inches high, the black color-toned set was manufactured by A.D. Handy, Stereopticon & Supplies, Boston.
The four slides tell the story, through drawings and southern black dialogue, of a black boy attempting to steal a watermelon (slide 1). Four other black boys hiding behind a fence and watching, spook him, making the boy think there is a ghost behind him (slide 2)! Dropping the watermelon in fright, he dashes off for safety (slide 3). The shattered watermelon is then left on the ground, already broken into bite-sized pieces for the 4 other boys to enjoy!
This offering is truly an exceptionally scarce Black Americana collectible!!
$195.00
The 1st club is marked "FORGAN & SO.." and sports signs of honorable use and wear with faint pitting and has an original grip. The club has a straight shaft, an appealing patina and measures 38.5 inches from the top of the shaft to the heel. The shaft is stamped "FORGAN & SON - ST ANDREWS.
The 2nd smooth face club is stamped on the back "WRIGHT-DITSON". It is a handsome right handed model with a replaced lambskin grip, straight hickory shaft, sporting a nice, aged patina. It measures 37 inches from heel to top of shaft and has minimal pitting, small dings and surface wear commensurate with use and its 110+ years of age.
Two hard to find examples of early 1900s clubs which includes the popular Scottish club maker FORGAN!
$325.00
Condition of the litho is considered very good given the rich coloration that remains. Some minor wear does exist: 2 small tears measuring less than 1/2 inch each on either side border edge-- one in the trees on the right side and the other on the left side in the water. There are several teeny holes in the sky to the right of the bearded gentleman's fishing pole as well as one single hole in the black gentleman's hair. (Please see photos.) Some wear to the border at top as shown in photos.
Despite the noted imperfections, this lithograph displays beautifully, with rich color and crisp lines. It presently resides in an early 1920's frame; ideally from a conservation point of view, it would benefit from a re-framing with acid-free materials to continue to preserve its historic importance.
$15.00
Extensively used in the 19th century and earlier, the cupping glass is a glass vessel from which the air has been exhausted by heat or suction creating a vacuum, and then applied to the skin to draw blood to the surface for therapeutic or curative purposes.
SOLD
The condition is very good with the expected wear and minor scuffs and imperfections of a vintage piece.
There is even a high profile testimonial on the top box label from Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes who claimed this medicine to be "the best thing in my experience" etc.
Measures 4.5 inches tall.
$55.00
The arm on one side is stamped in increments 1 through 9 (pounds) and 7-30 on the opposite side. Photo #5 shows two fancy and not often seen, "cross-shaped" embellishments.
The condition is very good with some mild wear, traces of rust, and faint pitting of the iron, all commensurate with an early tool of the trade.
An interesting and scarce example of early American craftsmanship.
SOLD
The die cuts are a representation of every day European black folk of the 1880s- from a mother holding her infant to an officer in the army, these ten charming die cuts make for a thought-provoking display! Interestingly, yes, these die cuts do indeed have a bluish tinge to their skin color- an occurrence for which no explanation can be offered.
The products for which these die cuts were meant to endorse is unknown. The die cuts feature an embossed, glossy finish which compliments the beautiful detailing and intense coloring of each piece. This grouping would look fabulous framed!
Approximate measurements are as follows:
6 Musicians: 4.75" tall x 3.75" wide
Please note that any white specks that seem prominent in the closeup photos are the result of light bouncing off the surfaces of the aged die cuts. These pieces are approximately 140 years old, and while in very good condition given their age, tiny surface imperfections may be evident here and there.
The photo of the verso of the figures reveals that there are no restorations or repairs to any of the 6 figures whose verso can be viewed. Note that 4 of the figures remain loosely attached to the black construction paper; it will be left to the buyer to choose whether or not to detach them.
This entire grouping of die cuts is being sold as one single fabulous offering at $55.00.
$225.00
The pitcher sits on a footed base and has a generous, bulbous-shaped body. It has glaze crazing typical of an 85+ year old piece of pottery, superficial flakes as noted in photos, and two hairlines at the base (see photos) which likely were acquired through use over the years. The hairlines seem tight and do not appear to threaten the integrity of the piece. P> An outstanding piece of American Spongeware! Becoming much more difficult to find- particularly in this condition!
Please type the word "spongeware" into the Search box to find the other pieces of C1900-1920 Ohio Yellowware Spongeware currently being offered for sale. All pieces are prices separately.
$335.00
This fabulous early tool of the medical trade sports a visually-interesting, graphic, brass face with a scale delineating increments from 0 to 1400 pounds. There are 2 dials - one that notes the actual pressure achieved, and the second stationary dial that serves as the reference.
This instrument enjoys wonderful, rich patina on both the metal and wooden sections. It measures 13 inches at the widest point and 10 inches at the wooden handles.
A fabulous device which has great visual appeal and displays wonderfully! Sure to spark some interesting conversation at your next gathering!
$125.00
Text indicates that the diploma was awarded to Mary L. Downey on January 15, 1892, and certified her to teach the Grammar or Primary Grade for the subsequent 6 years. Signed by 5 members of the California State Board of Education.
Further documentation on reverse reads, "Issued on the recommendation of the Board of Education of San Francisco, in accordance with Section 1521 of the Political Code, upon a first grade or Grammar Grade Certificate of San Francisco, 86.7% (Mary’s teacher examination grade).”
With the exception of early fold lines, condition is mint! Measures 8 inches X 10.5 inches.
See my other items for an 1899 Teaching Certificate awarded to Mary's sister, Josephine Downey!
A wonderful piece of museum-quality, educational ephemera representing San Francisco's and the state of California's early educational history!
$65.00
Decorative stock bottles such as this beauty 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 in pharmacy windows to attract passers-by.
This 8.5 inch, amber, wide-mouth example reveals ground glass construction and dates to the 1920's era.
The condition of this empty bottle is excellent with only a tiny edge fleck of the back lip. The ground glass stopper cannot be removed and appears perfect. The front label shows light wear and staining commensurate with age and use. Although the label appears silver in the photos, it is more of a GOLD-toned foil. The back label has modest wear and staining.