Catalog (460)

Offered is a wonderful, C1950s, Art Deco-styled, advertising store sign that features in bold capital letters the word, "COSMETICS". This sign, which originally hung in a Grand Rapids, Michigan, establishment, might well have been displayed in either a drug store or a beauty salon which sold various lines of ladies' cosmetics.

The black-painted, metal frame houses a plastic, cream-colored insert that features an embossed lettering and design technique that advertises the name of the product for sale. The background of this insert sports a streamlined, horizontal, raised "striping" reminiscent of the Art Deco era. When light is allowed to pass through the plastic, translucent insert, the insert appears to be magically illuminated so that the green-colored backside of the sign shines through with brilliance. This effect can be enjoyed by either hanging the sign in front of a window or by fastening tiny LED lights (not included) on the backside of the frame.

The dimensions are approximately 48"L x 5.5"W x 3/4"D, and the overall condition of the sign is very good. The plain metal frame has been repainted in a durable, semi-gloss, black finish. The painted finish is in very good condition with areas of minor surface imperfection and slight areas of roughness here and there.

The vintage plastic insert is laminated in two tones, with the front noting a rich, aged, cream color, and the back noting a rich green tone. The front of the insert has faint surface imperfections and some areas of uneven discoloring. Overall, the insert retains a nice glossed surface patina commensurate with its age.

A note: the first photo best represents what the sign will look like when illuminated from the back with LED or natural window lighting.

Offered is a vintage 1940 - 1950 era Drugstore Pharmacy BABY NEEDS advertising sign from Johnson and Johnson which features an adorable, blue-eyed baby in a lace bonnet. This sign was likely placed in a prominent section of the drugstore, guiding shoppers to the area which sold all manner of products to care for baby.

This lovely advertising sign sports an eye-catching robin's egg blue border that encapsulates J&J's iconic infant image.

The painted sign measures 33.5"L x 7"W x .35" Thick and is constructed of wood. The back has two wood support brackets attached as seen in the photo. The condition is very good with a few scratches and light surface wear.

An absolute must-have sign with fabulous "visual presence" that's sure to add energy to your collection!

This vibrantly colored, uncut, circa early 1920's, Little Mary Jane Paper doll designed by Berta and Elmer Hader, an American couple who jointly illustrated more than 70 children's books, ran exclusively in the iconic Good Housekeeping Magazine and features a Halloween theme complete with jack-o-lanterns and a basket of harvested fall apples!

The very popular Mary Jane paper doll series was featured each month in Good Housekeeping Magazine for months, with little girls everywhere excited to immediately cut out the doll and her accessories for play!

From the 1920s through the 1960s, paper dolls were an extremely popular play toy with a wide variety of paper doll "books" sold in the 5 & 10 cent stores of the day such as Woolworth, Berdine and Kresge, to name a few. The Mary Jane paper doll always conformed to seasonal themes, with the coloring and artistry of Berta and Elmer Hader never failing to please little girls everywhere.

Given the extreme play-time popularity of paper dolls, it is very rare to find an uncut sheet such as this!

Berta and Elmer Hader worked together to design children's sections for Good Housekeeping, McCall's, Pictorial Review, Asia, Century, and The Christian Science Monitor. They created pictures and cut-outs, often featuring children dressed in national costumes. In Berta and Elmer Hader's Picture Book of Mother Goose, the couple collated pen-and-ink and color drawings they had done for Monitor and Good Housekeeping to great acclaim. When the US Postal Service dis-allowed the sending of magazines with cut-out segments in 1926, the Haders switched gears, gaining a contract with MacMillan for a series of children's books. They began writing the stories for some of the books in this period. Demand for their product soared, and they worked incessantly from 1927–1931, illustrating, in some cases writing, producing, and helping to sell thirty-four titles. They stayed busy for the rest of their lives, producing another seventy or so books before they retired in 1964. One book in particular, Billy Butter (1936), so impressed writer John Steinbeck that he requested Elmer Hader do the cover to The Grapes of Wrath (1939). Hader eventually did covers for two other Steinbeck works, East of Eden (1952) and The Winter of Our Discontent (1961).

Professionally matted and framed some many, many years back, this lovely piece of wall art advertising measures 10.5 inches wide x 13.5 inches long and remains in excellent original condition given its 100 years of age! Any discoloration, facing of color or reflection seen in photos is related to the difficulty photographing an object under glass and is NOT an imperfection to the piece.

Measuring 12.25 inches long x 8 inches in width, this two-sided, 19th century estate document listing all of the worldly goods of LEWIS MATTAIR is de-accessioned from the inventory of the ill-fated Middle Passage Museum (see museum history below). The document is undated but is estimated to be circa 1865-66 based on current research of federal and state archival documents.

This particular estate document is extraordinarily unique and atypical in comparison to other estate documents of this period as it lists 15 SLAVES among the articles of property, and it actually labels these individuals as SLAVES as opposed to the much more common and typical practice of listing "Slaves" as "Negroes". The slaves are listed on the back side of the document with all other inventory listed on the front side.

Each slave is listed by first name with the corresponding current market value written to the left of the name, with the total market value of the 15 slaves named at $8600-- quite a hefty sum when one considers that the remainder of the estate (furniture, livestock, transportation and work vehicles, tools, etc) is valued in total at $980.75. Also listed in the inventory was 13,000 pounds of seed cotton, indicating that Lewis Mattair owned a sizable cotton plantation, clearly farmed by the slaves.

Lewis Mattair is noted in the 1860 Federal Census as a resident of Suwanee County, Florida; the 1860 Federal Census- Slave Schedules references Lewis Mattair owning 28 male and female slaves, ranging in age from 4 to 58. Lewis Mattair is listed in the 1865 Florida Tax records, but his name does not appear in any archived state or federal records after that year. Thus, it is presumed that this document dates from or just prior to 1865, the year that the Civil War ended.

The Middle Passage Museum was the dream of Jim and Mary Anne Petty of Mississippi as well as that of an anonymous Georgian benefactor who had together compiled a collection of slave artifacts numbering over 15,000 pieces and who had hoped to find a permanent site in Mobile, Alabama, for their museum. While they formed a non-profit organization to raise funds for their hoped-for museum, their dream was never realized.

In a 2003 statement, Jim Petty remarked, "The importance of the exhibit of these artifacts is to understand the harshness of what slavery and segregation was all about. The items in the exhibit remind us of the terrible heinousness of slavery. Viewing the collection can be very emotional, but it is a tool through which we can understand, honor and respect a great culture. We want to realize that out of slavery, a great culture emerged, and carried on, and continued to strive for a better life regardless of the adverse conditions that were placed upon them."

Offered are two, circa 1930's, Japan, colorfully decorated, Black Americana Tea Pots in pristine condition! A darling and diminutive, novelty elephant piece with riding black native completes the trio! All three elephants proudly point their trunks upward, awarding "Good Luck" (according to superstition) to anyone who displays them (or drinks their tea)!

Cleverly designed, the elephants themselves, serve as the body of each tea pot, while the turbaned Black Natives lift off the elephants' backs revealing their function as tea pot lids. A wicker handle facilitates handling on the two large tea pots. The base of all three pieces are marked "JAPAN".

The largest tea pot measures 7 inches high by 8 inches long; the middle-sized tea pot measures 6 inches high by 7 inches long; the tiny novelty piece measures a diminutive 3.25 inches long by 2.75 inches high.

Condition is excellent on all three pieces with the exception of the wicker handle on the middle-sized tea pot. One end of the handle is missing its looped section of the wicker that would have wrapped around the ceramic loop to secure the handle to the tea pot. As is noted in the photos, that end of the handle can be propped against the ceramic loop to maintain its proper appearance for display purposes.

Handsome and difficult-to-find pieces of vintage Black Memorabilia! All three Good Luck Elephant pieces are offered as a single group, priced at $245.00!

In the mid-1800's, an unknown artist painted the face of a young Black boy in warm, soft colors, and unbeknown to the artist, forever immortalized the young boy's image! Since that time a variety of items were been produced in the image of the "Young Black boy with the Torn Hat" or "Johnny Griffin".

This circa 1920-30's Johnny Griffin inkwell is constructed in solid brass and has a hole for both placement of pen and glass insert for ink. This piece is offered without the pen and glass ink insert.

It is in all original condition with delightful patina- not a reproduction- no replaced parts- and measures 6 inches long x 3.25 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches high. It does not retain any marking other than a mold number 4557.

Johnny Griffin 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.

Offered for your consideration is a wonderful group of 4 Burroughs & Wellcome pill tiles featuring a different scene or theme on each tile. The attractive pill tiles measure 6" square and are in unused, boxed condition. Some staining and wear to the paper label as seen in the photos.

These handmade tiles originate from Delft, Holland, and are part of a limited edition commissioned by the Burroughs & Wellcome Co. The back of each tile sports a label with a description including a brief history.

Ready to display, frame or hang in your favorite collection.

Tiles are priced $20 each.

Offered is the extremely rare, circa 1930s, children's toy sand pail, marked "HappyNak Seaside Pail No4, Made in England" along the folded tin seam of the pail. This darling toy pail clearly had very limited production as it rarely appears on the antiques market for sale, nor can it be readily found in the many existing Black Americana or Black Memorabilia reference books or online sites.

Measuring a diminutive 3 1/2" high excluding the bale handle and 5.75" high including it, this adorable tin pail features colorful graphics of five little golliwoggs playing kickball! The interior and base are painted a bright sky blue while the interior base features a copper color finish over the tin.

The pail has with very minimal wear, with tiny bits of paint loss noted at each entry point of the bale handle into the pail. Some bits of paint loss are also noted on the rim, and there is crackle to the finish, rating it an 8 out of 10.

A very rarely found and quite visually appealing piece of Black Memorabilia!

To see other Golliwogg items currently being offered, enter "golliwogg" into the SEARCH box on our home page.

A simply fabulous and extremely rare, circa 1870-1880's, solid brass, Black Americana SLAVE FACE BOWL!! A striking image!!

Prominent facial features- eyes and brows, nose, cheekbones, lips and teeth -and tight curly hair rise from the surface of the bowl. The bowl is rather heavy for its diminutive size and has no markings. Measures 4 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches high. Condition is excellent with some tarnishing that may be cleaned if desired; our preference was to offer this 140+ year old piece in as found condition.

A rare, outstanding and highly collectible offering to add to one's advanced Black Americana collection! I have only come upon 2 of these bowls in my 40+ years in the field.

A wonderfully nostalgic look back in time to early education of the Depression era 1930's!

This 32 page, Pre-Primer called "Everyday Doings" written by Julia Letheld Hahn, was published in 1935 by the Houghton Mifflin Company, and was acquired for use by the York, Pennsylvania, School District in 1936 (see ink stampings to front cover).

In wonderful condition with absolutely no evidence of use, this booklet was one workbook within the Child Development Series of Houghton Mifflin Early Readers.

The interior front cover page lists the table of contents and the interior back cover page lists instructional suggestions "For The Teacher".

A selection of photos are offered to show the colored interior pages, each of which holds a particular title and 4 numbered drawings related to the subject title. These pages were undoubtedly used by the teacher to promote in her young students, thought, creativity, verbal expressive ability, and the development of both vocabulary and sequential thinking ability, to name a few of the necessary reading readiness skills!

A rarely found, early 20th century teaching tool as these workbooks were designed to be used and then discarded!

Please disregard any white spots or lines or areas which appear to be lighter than the rest of the page. All color is even throughout with no fading. These photo imperfections are simply due to sunlight reflections.

Measuring approximately 10.5 inches tall, these sweet, hand-made, circa 1930's, Great Depression era, Mammy and Pappy dolls feature dried apples as heads! Common household items such as chicken or turkey breast bones, dried corn cobs, old rubber baby bottle nipples, wooden clothespins and dried fruit were frequently employed to make play-dolls when money was tight and store-bought toys were beyond reach!

These two folk art pieces came straight from the 93 year old great grandma who played with them as a child!

While the heads were constructed from dried apples painted black, the bodies were cut from various pieces of sponge which were then hand-sewn together. Hands were cut from pink--- and not brown or black felt--very interesting---while the teeth were formed from tiny white beads, and the white fuzzy hair fashioned from nothing more than small, cotton batting pieces. Eyes are glued-on googly eyes.

The homemade clothing is nicely constructed via a combination of hand and machine sewing. Mammy's green, teal and rust flowered dress is embellished with a bit of lace at the sleeves, and she also wears a fancy, white eyelet petticoat and a soft pink crocheted shawl. She is barefoot. Pappy's light blue shirt features 3 button detailing, and he wears denim pants and black felt shoes and hat with a red felt vest.

Condition is quite fine with no observable issues! No odors, rips, stains or missing parts. A very sweet pair!

Measuring 3 3/4 inches tall, this rarely found, bisque, black baby doll rests in a 6 inch long Peanut!

The little black doll retains its original cloth diaper and swaddling blanket with arm holes. The blanket shows spotted soiling. The baby doll features a nicely hand-painted face with the bisque in excellent condition with the exception of the right foot. The top front of the right foot appears to have been chipped during production as it retains the original paint that is applied over the white bisque during the manufacturing process. The doll is marked on its upper back: "made in Japan".

The 2 piece peanut shell is quite lightweight and appears to be made of layers of heat-pressed paper that was fashioned into a peanut via a mold. The two peanut shells retain the original hinges. A 1 inch long piece of the interior paper liner has separated from the peanut shell, but the separated piece remains (see photo). These delicate peanut shells are in fine condition overall!

Perhaps originally intended as an ornament, the peanut shell still retains a hanging string at its top edge. A rarely found piece of Black Memorabilia!

Offered are two, very nice, circa 1905-1910, smooth face, hickory shaft, golf clubs. Smooth face golf clubs fell out of fashion and perhaps function by the very early 1900s, but they were still offered in catalogues for a number of years beyond this date.

The 1st smooth face club is stamped on the back "Wm. GIBSON - KINGHORN SCOTLAND - CLEEK ...". It is a quite scarce, left handed model with a lambskin grip, straight hickory shaft, sporting a nice, aged patina. It measures 38 inches from heel to top of shaft and has small dings and surface wear commensurate with use and it's 110+ years of age.

The 2nd club is marked "SD & G" on back, and it, too, has signs of honorable use and wear. There is a "sheen" present in the sweet spot on the face that is of unknown origin. The club has a straight shaft, an appealing patina and measures 37 inches from the top of the shaft to the heel.

Two sweet early 1900s clubs!

Measuring just 3.25 inches in length, this unusual, 19th century, Three leaf Clover cookie cutter is in fine, all-original condition! From the renown, Pennsylvania Robacker Estate, published experts in Pennsylvania Dutch decorative art and culture, who passed away in the 1980's.

An earlier, older restoration to one seam at the base is evident. A tiny spot of very superficial rust here and there that may be removed, if so desired, by polishing with a clear paste wax.

A sweet accent piece for the country kitchen with wonderful decorative form!

Offered is this 1959 copyright, LITTLE BLACK SAMBO TELL-A-TALE Book with illustrations by Violet LaMont. A Whitman Book publication, copyright by Western Publishing, Racine, Wisconsin. Hardcover, 28 pages.

A much-beloved children's classic written in the early 1900's by Englishwoman, Helen Bannerman, for her two young daughters while they lived in India, Sambo, in the original tale, was an Indian boy and not an African-American child. He was converted over time to this race, 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! This book has seen little use with just a teeny bit of wear to book edge points as well as very minor wear in a couple of areas on the exterior binding. Otherwise, intact and tight with no tears, creases, pen/pencil markings or soiling!

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

Offered is a set of three tubes of C1900, unused, new-old-stock, M. Stein's theatrical grease paint makeup, rarely found in today's collectible market. Stein's theater makeup was extremely well-known throughout New York City's Broadway Theater District and was manufactured locally in New York.

The tubes bear the Stein's Trademark seal which is quite detailed and ornate and consists of a horseshoe labeled "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful), which encircles a stylized and entwined "M" and "S". Below the horseshoe is placed a Mortar and Pestle, all of which rests on a laurel wreath.

The tubes are labeled "Stein's Grease Paint" "Money Back for Unsatisfactory Purchases" "Manufactured By The M. Stein Cosmetic Company New York" "Made in U.S.A.". Each tube is labeled with the color code of the makeup - "No. 1 Pink", "No. 4 Medium Gray". The third tube's labeling is faded and difficult to read -"No.? ???Sallow Young Man???".

The grease paint makeup is contained in individual cardboard, push-up style tubes, they are all unused, and all three are 5 1/8" tall. Two of the tubes measure 1 1/8" in diameter and one, 5/8" in diameter.

The labeling on two of the tubes, while faded, is completely readable; one tube's labeling is rather faded and in some areas, completely unreadable.

The cardboard tubing of two of the makeup paints is, amazingly, completely intact; the No 1 Pink tube is also intact with the exception of the top cover which remains but is detached from the tube.

Interesting and early vintage finds for the theater enthusiast!

An unusual piece, this delightful, cloth Mammy Broom Doll from the 1940's measures 12.5 inches high with a total height of 31 inches including the broom.

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.

A fabulous piece of vintage Black Americana, and a seldom seen form of the Black Mammy Doll!

Offered is a very appealing pair of Mid Century Modern, vintage-design-decorated, apothecary jars that once embellished the shelves of a Claymont, Delaware pharmacy.

Dating to the 1950s - 1960s era, this beautiful, white and cobalt blue colored pair are in excellent condition. The large jar measures 10.75 inches tall x 6 inches in diameter. The small jar measures 7.5 inches high x 4.75 inches in diameter.

Ready for display in your vintage drug store collection!

This wonderful early wooden school chalk box retains the majority of its original, COBALT BLUE paper label advertising one gross “OLD FAITHFUL COLORED CHALK CRAYONS, # 610, manufactured by the AMERICAN CRAYON COMPANY, Sandusky, Ohio & New York. Alas, the chalk box is empty, the chalk having been long ago used by the school children!

Circa 1920-30’s, the chalk box features a sliding wooden top and carries further advertising on one side printed in matching cobalt blue print. Box measures 6.5 inches x 4.5 inches x 3.75 inches and is constructed of machine cut hinges. In pristine condition and an increasingly difficult collectible to find!

Measuring 15.5" long x 8.25" high x 1.75" deep, this circa 1890s, wonderful and quite fancy, hand-cut iron utensil or clothing rack sports 5 hooks for hanging. It features an unusual stylized heart or perhaps even a stylized floral design which adds to its visual appeal. Condition is very good with excellent, warm patina. Faint pitting and minimal traces of rust. A hanging-hole on each end is present for easy mounting. A visually-attractive antique iron piece with utilitarian purpose!

Offered is a very desirable and early, circa 1890 - 1900, hickory shaft, golf club marked PETER EAGEN - PRINCETON, NJ. The leather grip is in good condition, and the straight hickory shaft sports a nice, aged patina.

This handsome club is known as a BRASSIE and measures 40 inches from heel to top of shaft. The checkering to the face, including the rams horn on the leading edge, show minimal signs of wear. The brass plate on the base notes mild wear commensurate with this club's use and 120+ years of age. The lead weight on the back is secure and protrudes slightly from its resting place.

A very fine example of an early, usable, finely-crafted golf club.

********PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SMALL NITRO IS AVAILABLE*****THE OTHERS HAVE BEEN SOLD****

Offered is an interesting heart specific medicine dating to 1990.

The cute Parke Davis Nitrostat bottle measures 1.25 inches and is priced at $8.00.

Measuring 13 inches high, this delightful, hand-made, brother and sister pair of Black cloth dolls were made circa 1940's, by "Roxie" of Asheville, North Carolina, as attested to by the dollmaker's tag sewn on the brother's backside.

Both dolls are in near perfect condition with the exception of a tiny teardrop mark under brother's left eye and a tiny hole next to sister's left side of face on her hairline. Detailing is very sweet with nicely embroidered facial features and color-coordinated, machine-stitched clothing. Hair is authentic looking made of fuzzy wool yarn-- brother's hair is curly and nubby--- sister's is done in a head full of bow-tied pigtails! Bodies are machine-stitched, brown cotton that are each stuffed with cotton batting.

A pair of cuties!!!

Offered are two, VERY RARE, 1880's, romantically-themed advertisements printed in Germany and sold by the Bim Brothers, London. The two advertisements both feature well-dressed African American gentlemen attempting to woo and capture the exclusive attentions of pretty young African-American ladies, one via a banjo serenade and the other via an offer of lovely flowers.

The products which these advertisements were meant to endorse is unknown. The advertisements feature a high-shine, glossy finish which compliments the beautiful detailing and intense coloring of each piece. Both would look fabulous framed!

The advertisement featuring the banjo playing gent (with that snarling black dog in the lower right corner) measures approximately 7.25 inches wide x 10.25 inches long. The advertisement featuring the shy woman being presented with pretty flowers measures approximately 7.25 inches wide x 9 inches long.

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 advertisements. These pieces are approximately 140 years old, and while in very good condition given their age, both do have tiny surface imperfections, lines and light edge wear. The advertisements are priced at $35 each or two for $60.

Offered is an early portable Steelyard scale that is designed to weigh goods up to 30 pounds. This primitive iron scale sports hand-forging construction and measures just over 13 inches in length. The manufacturer's identifying name is almost fully readable and is stamped "?? WHITHFIELD & SONS".

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.

The Siemens Model M-22, carbon hearing aid was made by Siemens & Halske A. G. of Germany around 1925 (engraved on the back side of the microphone) and was marketed in America under the DUOTONE name by The American Phonophor Corporation of New York.

The double carbon amplifier microphones measure 4¾" x 2⅜" x 7/16" thick. The front view sports two decorative "snowflake" designed ports, and the base has a small swiveling leg for standing on a flat surface. The leather tab is provided so that the hearing device could be attached to a shirt button.

The receiver microphone is attached to both an "ON/OFF" switch and the earpiece via two coiled wires that have a two-pronged end for battery attachment. Please note that the battery is not functional nor does it have the correct ports for receiving the wire prongs...but it came with the case and fits quite nicely!!

The condition is very good with wear commensurate with a well-loved antique.

WIKIPEDIA has some very inetersting info on this style of hearing aid which was produced from the early 1900s till the late 1930s.

Measuring a size 4 on a ring sizer, this delicate sterling silver ring is an unusual estate find that is approximately 40 years old and said to have been purchased by the original owner in a scrimshaw shop on the coast of Maine.

Marked "STERLING 9" on the back, this ring features a very delicately etched trio of blue flowers. The ring is also initialed "W" by the artist on the lower front of the ivory- an exceedingly tiny signature!

A lovely estate piece!

These wonderful circa 1930's school crayons manufactured by Milton Bradley of Springfield, Massachusetts, are in near mint condition with the exception of very, very light surface soiling to cardboard paper box! Crayons are unused and are all original!

In addition to making children's games, The Milton Bradley Company, for many, many years, produced an extensive array of school supplies, equipment, and materials!

A wonderful addition to School or Artist Memorabilia collection!

Although two boxes are pictured in the photo, sale is for ONE BOX ONLY.

Published, designed and printed by Juvenile Productions, LTD, London, England, #1711, circa 1920s, this SELDOM FOUND, soft cover children's book presents a very different, very unique tale inspired by the traditional Little Black Sambo story written by Englishwoman, Helen Bannerman in the early 1900s.

This version, is indeed more aligned with the style of the 19th century stories written by the famous Brothers Grimm of Germany, featuring fairies, a Fairy Queen and tiny elves!

It also, quite unfortunately, utilizes obtuse monikers that, sadly, were in common use during this time period, referring to Sambo as a PICCANINNY and naming his parents, Mr. and Mrs. DARKIE. If not for this usage, this little story would be regarded as very sweet and charming.

The book contains 10 pages, all of which have been photographed here, with illustrations alternating between full color and black line drawings. Color throughout remains brilliant and crisp! Other than some slight rubbing to page edges, very slight foxing here and there, a top corner crease on three pages, and some rusting to the two original staples which still securely bind the pages together, this VERY UNCOMMON book remains in superb condition for its approximate 100 years of age! Measures 7.75 inches high x 5.25 inches wide.

To find our other Little Black Sambo offerings, simply type "Sambo" into the search box on our home page.

Please note that the mortar and pestle pictured on the right side--as seen in the first photo--has been sold.

This wonderful, 1940-1950s vintage hand made and painted mortar and pestle display once adorned the interior of a Connecticut pharmacy. The display is decorated in red with painted bronze details for added flair.

Measures about 7 high” x 4.5” wide and is in very nice condition! Some unobtrusive surface paint loss and scuffing including a few tiny nail holes are apparent but do not distract from their visual appeal!

Measuring 15 inches long by 13 inches wide, this delightful, unsigned, watercolor features a charming rendition of a young black boy straddling a fence while clutching a plump watermelon!

Remaining in its original frame with original wooden and paper backing, this watercolor retains its framer's identifying sticker which reads, "Staton's Art Shop 5409 Germantown Ave." Perhaps this Germantown address indicates Philadelphia area origin? In the interests of proper conservation, the new owner should re-frame this lovely piece with appropriate acid-free materials.

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

A lovely watercolor- nicely executed!

Offered are two desirable antique mallet head aluminum putters sporting good grips, nice patina and hickory shafts.

The first club is a nice circa 1900 example from the shop of Peter Hendrie. It measures 33.5 inches from the heel to end of shaft and sports a dot pattern on the face. The straight hickory shaft and leather grip are in good condition. The top of the club is stamped "P. HENDRIE" and H.B. "BYERGASON" (club owner). The head of the club has the expected dings, scuffs and wear of an early club.

Club number two is stamped "MACGREGOR 3 1/2" on the top and sports a deep checkered pattern on the face. The solid straight hickory shaft and leather grip are in very good condition on this 30.5 inch club. It sports an original patina and handsome styling- both desirable features of this nice playable club.

SOME HISTORY:
Peter Hendrie was born in North Berwick, Scotland, in 1872, where he caddied as a boy before obtaining his first professional position at the York club in 1897. He returned to North Berwick in 1900 and worked as a clubmaker for a few years. In 1902, he emigrated to Canada with his wife and took up the professional’s post at the Victoria Golf and Country Club in Montréal.

He moved south to the United States in 1911, becoming the professional at the Fort Mitchell Country Club in Kentucky. He assumed various professional positions in the US until 1924 when he was appointed the first professional at the new Ulen Country Club in Lebanon, Indiana, where he remained until his retirement in 1946.

In the mid-1800's, an unknown artist painted the face of a young Black boy in warm, soft colors, and unbeknown to the artist, forever immortalized the young boy's image! Since that time a variety of items were been produced in the image of the "Young Black boy with the Torn Hat" or "Johnny Griffin".

This circa 1920-30's Johnny Griffin letter opener is constructed in solid brass. It remains functional for such use today or may be simply used as an attractive desk paperweight!

It is in all original condition with delightful patina- not a reproduction- no replaced parts- and measures 10 1/4 inches long. Remnants of green paint are visible on Johnny's shirt. Interestingly, this piece also doubles as an advertising piece as on the reverse side it is impressed, “I. C. Herman + Co., 507-9 Broadway, NY (New York)”.

Johnny Griffin 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.

Measuring 3.25 inches high, this delightful English child or baby transfer porcelain mug is a quite rare find!

In excellent condition with the exception of some minor wear to the gilt rim and scripted banner, the cup or mug features two gentleman sharing a tub bath- one Caucasian and one African-American. The African-American gent is surrounded by musical notes indicating that he is doing quite a bit of whistling, while the Caucasian gent covers his ears in annoyance. The scripted banner above their heads reads, "Whistling Rufus." "There's music in the air."

The mug is signed in the lower right corner of the tub, "Copyright Sid Smith". The base bears the black crown and banner stamp of Allertons, England as well as the printed, red-inked number "2089".

Offered are two, highly-collectible, circa 1860-70's, earthenware, pictorial plates featuring two scenes from the enormously popular, 1852, novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

"Uncle Tom's Cabin" or "Life Among the Lowly", is an anti-slavery novel that was published in two volumes and which had a profound effect on attitudes toward African-Americans and slavery in the U.S. It is said to have "helped lay the groundwork for the American Civil War".

Each plate is priced separately at $195.00 each or both plates for $325.00.

One plate depicts the sale of slave, Uncle Tom, while the other plate depicts the death of little Eva. The text on each plate is in German: "Evas Todt" or in English, "The Death of Eva", and "Slavel Tom Von LeGree Gekauft" or in English, "The Slave Tom Purchased by (Simon} LeGree".

Produced for use by children as subtle educational tools, the plates measure 7 5/8 inches in diameter and are decorated with black transfer, printed, Uncle Tom vignettes.

The condition of both plates is quite superb with subtle crazing lightly evident on the backs of plates only. Also on the backs of each plate are tiny, factory-flaw imperfections where glazing failed to bind to the earthenware (represented in close-up photo). The "Sale of Uncle Tom" plate has three such imperfections on its back side along with a tiny area of bleeding of transfer color under the glaze (see close-up photo). The "Death of Eva" plate displays more evident crazing on the back as compared to the "Sale of Tom" plate along with three factory-flaw imperfections, as described above. The "Eva" plate also appears to have three, extremely fine, light, scratch lines running across the front of the plate that are most readily noticeable only in close-up photos; when one runs a finger along the lines, the imperfections are so fine that they cannot be felt and certainly represent no threat to structural integrity.

The plates were produced by the Schramberg Pottery of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, founded in 1820 by stoneware expert, Isidor Faist. The plate featuring the sale of Uncle Tom is impressed "Schramberg" while the other plate has no marking. It is evident, however, that both plates were manufactured by the Schramberg factory.

Offered is an absolutely fabulous, early 20thC, reverse-painted-on-glass, MOYER'S PHARMACY Drug Store Sign.

This striking example was clearly designed to attract customers with its coloring and bold combination of script and block lettering- all executed in reverse on the underside of the glass. The reverse-painting technique adds additional elegance to the artistic quality of the sign's design. The very sturdy frame is constructed of wood that is enveloped in a heavy gauge metal. The metal portion of the frame has hints of having been painted a few times over the years and shows age appropriate wear.

The sign measures 36"L x 16"W x 1" thick and is in very good condition. There are various mounting holes present. As expected with old glass, some unobtrusive blemishes and small scratches are also present, commensurate with the sign's 100+ years of age. Two very small spots of paint loss are also evident as seen in the photos.

An utterly eye-catching and distinctive, vintage pharmacy sign that will complement any collection!