Catalog (41)

A fabulous, vintage school teaching tool from the 19th Century! A red and gold painted wooden Alphabet or Spelling Board!

Measuring 13.25 inches wide x 9.25 inches high x 1 inch thick, this wonderful piece patented February 16, 1886, is in very fine condition with a warm, rich patina and color as well as all 56 of its original wooden letters! To spell a word, one slides the letters along cut out tracks in the board.

Quite visually appealing!

Condition: three of the 1/8th inch thick, round, wooden letters suffered partial breakage at one point in time, but these letters continue to remain quite structurally sound and "readable". Some tiny edge chips to the wood- quite reasonable given its age.

A seldom found vintage, early School House item!

This 1867 educational text was published by Charles Scribner and Company of 654 Broadway, New York City. Intended for students under nine years of age, the object of this delightful introductory school text, as stated by Mary Howe Smith, a Princeton University colleague of text author, A. Guyot, is “to impart geographical knowledge to prepare the student for its successful acquirement in the future.”

Contains numerous black and white line drawings which prove to quite adequately visually supplement this interesting text! At the back of text is an 1865 colored map of the world as well as Questions for General Review and Review Exercises for use by teachers!

Hardcover- Medium Folio Size (8 x 10 inches), 118 pages; good condition (please see photos): use wear to cover, minimal foxing, overall tight binding with loosening of last two pages, corner edge wear to covers, pencil inscriptions on frontispiece and back by former students.

A delightful addition to the School Memorabilia collection!

Professionally framed in an intricate, antique-look, gold gilt molding with museum quality, acid-free mat and mounting materials, this 1840, hand-colored map of Germany, Switzerland, and Northern Italy will be well-preserved for many, many years to come!

Photography was a challenge in an attempt to avoid flash reflections. As such, please note that the rich coloring- violet, yellow, green and gray- is even throughout the map.

All print and map detailing is clean and easily read. Some minimal foxing and age staining to map do not detract from the visual appeal of this piece. Framed map measures 12 3/4" wide x 15 1/2" long.

Measuring 5.75" wide x 8.25" long x 6" high, this C1890s, unique and interestingly designed school lunch box has four parts: the base, which is 4" deep, the lid, a removable handled cup cleverly fitted to the top of the lunchbox lid, and a removal interior tray to dine upon that rests on a small edge inside the base!

Constructed of tin with well-executed soldered seams and rolled edges on nearly all areas which are smooth and comfortable to the touch.

In great condition for its 120 years of age with an old tarnished and mellowed patina! A couple of little "use-dings" and hints of light oxidation that add to its character. Some superficial rusting on the base and here and there.

The perfect addition to one's Vintage School Collection! Where will you find another one like it?

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!

A fabulously detailed, historical graphic of the California State Seal adds to the importance of this authentic, museum-quality, 1899, TEACHING LICENSE / DIPLOMA issued by the STATE OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY, DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

Text indicates that the diploma was awarded to Josephine Downey on October 21, 1899, and certified her to teach the Grammar or Primary Grade for the subsequent 6 years. Signed by Thomas Kirsh, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Secretary.

Further documentation on reverse reads, "Issued on the recommendation of the Board of Education of San Francisco County, in accordance with Section 1521 of the Political Code, upon a first grade or Grammar Grade Certificate of San Francisco County, California, 95% (Josephine’s teacher examination grade).”

With the exception of early fold lines, condition is mint! Measures 14.6 inches X 11.5 inches.

See my other school certificates for an 1892 Teaching Certificate awarded to Josephine's sister, Mary Downey!

A wonderful piece of museum-quality, educational ephemera representing San Francisco's and the state of California's early educational history!

This 1851 educational text was published by the Sanborn & Carter Company of Portland, Maine. Authored by Salem Town, L.L.D., this revised edition from the original published in 1848 is touted as, “A reader designed for the middle class pupils of our public schools, embracing full and important exercises in elocution and articulation.”!

Hardcover, 288 pages; Good condition: Minimal foxing, no tears, tight binding, corner edge wear to cover.

A delightful addition to the School Memorabilia collection!

Offered is a beautiful variety grouping of VERY RARELY FOUND, 1880's, Black Americana die cuts printed in Germany and sold by the Bim Brothers, London.

This offering features two lovely die cuts- one, a well-to-do Victorian era husband and wife sitting down to dinner, and the second, a colorfully dressed bride and groom at the altar about to take their wedding vows. The third offering is a glossy finish mini-size litho featuring three siblings arriving at school with book bags on their backs, and one sporting an umbrella in case it later rains. Three children peer out the school window awaiting their arrival.

The products for which these die cuts and litho were meant to endorse is unknown. The litho features a very glossy finish, and the die cuts feature an embossed, glossy finish which compliments the beautiful detailing and intense coloring of each piece. All would look fabulous either framed individually or as a grouping! Think gift!

Approximate measurements are as follows:
The dining couple & the Wedding: 4" tall x 5.75" wide
School children: 6" tall x 4.50" wide

Priced each at $45.

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 all three pieces reveal that only the wedding die cut has a small restoration made to one of the altar candlesticks using archival quality tape. There have been no repairs or restorations made to either the school litho or the Dinner die cut.

An exceedingly RARE and all-original, commanding group photograph of 1880's NURSES with a bit of the mysterious - might be depicting recent graduates of a nursing program with male and female head instructors or may be a photograph of hospital staff nurses with head nurse and administrator/physician. A bit of intrigue for certain, and most definitely a highly rare and unusual period nursing photo of substantial size! Found in a New York state estate.

Framed in original, period frame with wood backing (20 x 15.5 inches); the tattered matting has been removed. Photo dimensions - 14.5 x 19.5 inches. Very good condition with some light fading in the upper portion and a minute ding next to the writing. One of the nurses has the words "BAD GIRL" written above her head!

Measuring 7 inches long x 4 inches high x 6 inches wide, this all tin, 1943 copyrighted, WOLVERINE “SEE and SPELL” educational school toy is in fine overall condition! The tin is lithographed with a delightful scene of school children standing at the front of the class during a spelling bee with the teacher seen in the lower left corner holding a spelling book! Just adorable! On the back of the toy, a lone boy is seen drawing pictures and practicing spelling at a portable chalk board.

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!

This wonderful, circa 1940-50's, box of Imperial school or art chalk manufactured by the Imperial Crayon Company of Brooklyn, New York, is in near mint condition! The chalk is unused and is all-original! The box features a fabulous graphic of a smiling clown busily writing using Imperial Chalk! The box measures 3.50 inches tall x 2.50 inches wide x 1 inch deep.

An absolutely wonderful addition to one's School or Artist Memorabilia collection!

Measuring 27 inches long x 18 inches wide, this wonderful, vintage, School Crossing Guard sign remains in all-original condition and is even dated "5-64"!

Double-sided, this visually-appealing school collectible displays stunningly whether displayed on the bright yellow "SLOW" side or the nearly-glow-in-the-dark red and white "STOP" side!

The metal sign retains its original wooden handle as well as its share of age and use-related surface scuffs, scratches and even a couple of errant paint spots that absolutely do not detract from its conversation-provoking appeal!

An interesting and unique enhancement to one's Vintage School Collection!

Offered is an antique, C1910, German-made dexterity puzzle that measures 1 15/16" in diameter and 3/8" thick. This delightful game features a fixed, small mouse trap with two, moving, metal mice. The object of the game is to get the mice into the trap.

Colorful detailing of cats on cardboard covered-bottom is marked "Made in Germany". Tin frame holds game with glass cover on one side and mirror on reverse side.

In excellent condition considering age. Glass cover is free of cracks. Game color is still bright. Original mirror has a few spots of silvering and light scratching but is free of cracks. Displays quite well!

Offered is an 1854 edition of Dr. Calvin Cutter's instructional and educational book entitled "First Book of Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene, for GRAMMAR SCHOOLS and FAMILIES".

This difficult to find revised stereotyped edition, was published in Boston by the Benjamin B. Mussey and Co., the book having been originally published in 1852. It features 83 highly-detailed engraved illustrations and 191 information-packed pages. A very comprehensive and quite interesting volume that discusses normal and abnormal conditions, treatment of various diseases and recommendations for proper health.

This very early educational hardcover book is in fair to good condition. The front cover has separated from the binding as has the very first page which is blank, but both are present. All other pages remain bound. The majority of the exterior black leather edge binding cover is missing. This 168 year old book has expected, moderate yellowing and foxing to the pages, some minor staining and ancient water marks, and some tiny folds here and there. Measures approximately 7.25"L x 4.75"W.

A highly valued resource book of its time for instruction in the grammar school grades or for use by more financially well-to-do 19th century families who could afford to maintain personal, home libraries.

Quite an interesting read!

Elaborate graphics which include the California State Seal adds to the importance of this authentic, museum-quality, 1892, TEACHING LICENSE / DIPLOMA issued by the STATE OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY, DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

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!

These wonderful, circa late 1950-early 1960's, TRU-TONE No Roll, school or art crayons manufactured by the Milton Bradley Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, are in mint condition! The crayons are unused and are all original! The box measures 4.5 inches tall x 4.5 inches wide x 1/2 inch deep.

An absolutely wonderful addition to one's School or Artist Memorabilia collection!

Also pictured are two other mint condition, unused, boxed, school crayons that are currently offered for separate sale. The group of three make a charming, visual display!

A delightful and diminutive, circa 1950's, Baby Boomer Era, set of children's wooden architectural building blocks marked "Made in Japan".

Measuring a slight 4" x 5", the brightly painted blocks are housed in a highly-detailed cardboard box featuring a colorful graphic of a young child playing with them. This toy was also used in the primary grade classrooms to help develop fine motor coordination and dexterity.

Condition is quite fine with the exception noted of 2 missing blocks.

Measuring 9 inches long x 7 wide x 1.25 deep, this circa 1920's, children's architectural, wooden block set, likely made in Germany, is in near perfect condition!

The set appears to have been lightly used, if at all! Nearly all blocks are present, and all of these are in wonderful condition! It appears that one red triangular block is missing along with the four rectangular pieces needed to complete the second window frame (the second paper window insert remains).

The exterior paper label attached to the sliding, wood cover is beautifully intact with just a light water mark present on the upper left side. A glue remnant on the upper right corner of the cover remains. The paper label offers eight detailed examples of what one might choose to build with this lovely set! 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. Such toys or learning manipulatives, promoted the development of the young learner's eye-hand coordination as well as visual-spatial reasoning skills.