Catalog (476)

Measuring 3.25 inches X 4 inches, this early 1900's, Glass Magic Lantern Slide is in pristine condition!

Featuring wonderful, vivid colors, this slide is titled "Two Old Chums" on the paper label attached to the back of the slide. The slide depicts an older black gentleman standing, hat in hand, beside a seated, very despondent-looking, white gentleman- who appears to have been drinking.

The slide has wonderful detailing--In particular, please note the print of a Black Child playing the Banjo which hangs on the wall at the far right side of the room!

Very hard to find Black Memorabilia in fabulous condition!

Offered is a wonderful example of a late 19thC Pharmacy "tool of the trade" known as a pill machine but often referred to as a pill roller.

Pill machines were designed to enhance the productivity of the early pharmacist, and this design was, indeed, popular for many, many years. This pill machine is designed with 24 tubes for medicine-making.

The condition is very good, sporting a nice patina commensurate with its age and use. It is constructed of walnut and embellished with brass edge guards as well as brass grooved molds. The base measures approximately 11.5" L x 7" W x 1.5" H including the footed base. The paddle is 15.25"L x 2.25"W.

An apothecary classic, ready for your collection!

This is a nice grouping of 15 EMPTY Pharmacy Hypodermic Tablet Vials, representing a wide variety of remedies and pharmaceutical manufacturers including MULFORD, ELI LILLY, SHARPE & DOHME, and PARKE DAVIS.

These corked cuties date from the early 1900s to 1920s, and all but one retain their tiny corks.

Some vials, such as that containing STRYCHNINE, are marked "POISON" on their paper labels.

Interestingly, there is one VETERINARY vial labeled ARECOLINE HYDROBROMIDE POISON by Mulford.

The diminutive vials measure from 2 inches long to 3 inches and are all in good condition. Imperfections noted: one vial has a tiny chip to the mouth of the tube and another vial has a minor crack near the cork.

Interesting grouping to add to your collection!

Offered are two, very-hard-to-find, antique, Smooth-Face, Wood Shaft, Golf Clubs. Both hand-forged irons are circa 1900 and sport hickory shafts and original leather grips. Each club exhibits a rarely found smooth-face surface.

The club on the left is stamped with the owner's initials "T.H" and "AC SPAULDING & BROS MAKERS", plus "MODEL D HAND FORGED". The shaft is secure and is modestly split above the hosel. The iron has a tarnished patina and smooth surface. The grip is constructed of brushed leather and is complete. The club measures 40.5 inches from the tip of the toe to the end of the handle.

The club on the right is stamped "ST. ANDREWS" and "MAKERS" with the letter "L" denoting that it is a lady's club. The club face exhibits minor, honorable wear as well as an age-appropriate patina with some rust and pitting on the hosel. The shaft shows appropriate wear, is almost straight, and is secure. The original, smooth leather grip has what appears to be an ancient piece of tape (which can be removed) on each end. The club measures 34.25 inches from the tip of toe to the end of the handle.

SOME HISTORY
Prior to 1900, the vast majority of irons were smooth-faced. During this period, it was common for caddies to use emery cloth to lightly clean off rust from the club heads. Prior to the use of grooves or hand-punched dots being applied to the club face (to enhance backspin), caddies would use the emery cloth to roughen the "sweet spot" on the club face to promote backspin.

Beginning in the 1890's, hand-punched dots on the club face appeared and by 1905; patterns such as scored lines, dots and lines, criss-cross lines with or without dots became the norm.

The end of the smooth-face era for irons occurred around 1910, though some were still offered in catalogues after that date for those who resisted change.

A very cute vintage drug store/pharmacy display from the 1940s era!

This complete display consists of 24, colorful CHANDLER'S medicine boxes, each of which contain the original brown pills!

Each box's label includes ingredients described as Acetanilide 1 gr., Caffeine Alkaloid 1/16 gr.,, Po. Ext. Dogwood, Po. Extract Gentian, Cascarin, Po. Capsicum, Podophyllin, and Aloin.

Packed by CHANDLER MEDICINE CO. - Office 2812 Dodier Street, ST. LOUIS, MO., the display measures 6" x 5" x 1" and is in unused, fine condition. ***NOTE*** The cover must be separated from each corner to be set-up as a display as seen in photo.

What a great collectible for the pharmacist, nurse or doctor in your life!

Measuring 6.5 inches long and approximately 4 inches in both width and depth, this wonderfully RARE, Black Americana, Red Cap, Railroad Porter String Holder is in very fine condition with just a sprinkling of white speckling where the black cold paint has worn away.

A stunning and very visually striking piece, it is labeled on back, "Fredericksburg Art Pottery USA", a pottery once located in Fredericksburg, Ohio, manufacturing between 1939-49. The back has 2 original hanging holes for placement on a wall.

Truly in wonderful, vintage condition with no cracks, chips, repairs or repaint! A fabulous addition to one's Black Americana collection!

Please note that the natural outdoor lighting used to photograph this piece has amplified the white paint flecking --the teeny white spots really show up more in these photos than on the actual piece in an indoor setting--- photo number one gives an accurate depiction of appearance.

Measuring 3 3/4 inches long, this circa 1920-30’s, miniature, Black Mammy doll is unique in construction- its head and body have been fashioned from an old black rubber baby nursing nipple!

Mammy’s sweet little face has been hand-painted, and she has been nicely dressed in a red and white polka dot dress with linen apron and red flowered head scarf. She holds a tiny, plastic, white baby in her left arm who wears a linen gown edged with lace.

Condition of this wonderful miniature Mammy is very good! With the exception of her nipple face which has contorted a bit due to the ravages of time, she is in delightful condition!

Offered for your consideration is a very rarely found Bausch & Lomb eye muscles advertising and teaching display!

The display is quite appealing with embossed and raised detailing featuring eye muscle anatomy. quite visually appealing!! (Sorry, couldn't help it!)

The sign dates to the 1950s, is in fine condition, and is complete with a fold-out, rear, display stand, measuring approximately 13 inches high x 8 inches wide.

Offered is a circa 1920s, four-tier, clear glass Apothecary Show Globe. Stacking show globes such as this have always been a highly sought after apothecary artifact for those building a venerable collection of old pharmacy items. This lovely, 26 inch tall example is a visual statement piece- one to be admired for years to come.

Each individual globe sports ground glass construction and each fits into position with perfection. The interior of all sections is sparkling clear with almost no trace of staining, a problem which is often seen in such pieces, but not here.

The only flaw is a very small surface crack in the large globe as seen in the photos. This does not effect structural integrity as the globe holds water with no leakage whatsoever. This imperfection, in fact, is not visible when the globe is filled with water. It can also be easily hidden by positioning this side of the globe facing towards the back of one's display. Simply a faulous piece!

Measuring 12.5 inches wide by 8 inches high, this vintage, hand-painted on board, 1940's No Smoking sign is most emphatic in its message: "NO SMOKING MEANS NO SMOKING"! Most definitely a conversation piece! Fab visual display! Condition is good with paint wear to edges as seen in photos. Light pencil lines to guide the hand-painting are still visible on the front of the sign. (The left side of sign appears darker in photos than the right side. This is a function of less-than-perfect photography! Coloration and brightness are uniform throughout! No dark or shadowy areas!)

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.

Also offered separately are 2 unframed 1886 maps of ASIA and CHINA, respectively (photos of each also seen here.)

Offered is a very scarce, circa 1940's, glass, hospital sign acquired many years ago out of a New Jersey hospital that was undergoing modernization and renovation.

This glass SPECIAL CONSULTATION sign once hung near the entryway of the Medical department and is ready for your collection!

The sign measures 13 inches long x 3 inches high and is of thick, heavy, plate glass construction. The sign sports gold-toned, applied lettering and is finished off in black paint such as in the style seen in reverse-painted glass objects. There is modest paint loss and lifting which is commensurate with older painted glass.

Measuring 14" X 23", this vintage, Ca 1930's, "Little Black Sambo" metal game board bears the circular emblem mark of the Wyandotte Toy Company at bottom right, "Wyandotte Toys, Made in USA", attesting to its authenticity as a non-reproduction piece.

Colors are extraordinarily vivid, a fabulous display piece -retains original cardboard backing and original stand, but, alas, no game darts! The darts are extraordinarily rare and are seldom found!

Present are minor surface blemishes, surface scratches, some surface rust specks, as well as minor edge crimps that one would expect of a 90+ year old toy -all of which fail to detract from the fabulously bold visual imagery of this piece! (The most prominent scratch is on Sambo's target.)

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

Measuring 5 1/2 x 7 1/2, this framed piece of early Black Memorabilia features the hardboard cover only (not the complete book) of "The DARKIES' Painting Book"! Cover depicts 2 jauntily stepping Black children. Color is quite vivid in this very visually-striking piece! Protected in a gold-tone, decorative frame. (Please disregard unavoidable reflections in the glass)

Delightful item!

Offered is an eclectic grouping of Violet Ray therapy electrodes dating back to the 1920s!

This collection consists of 5 glass and 1 metal electrode, an owner's guide with images of the various electrodes, a user's instruction booklet, a wooden box which houses the pieces, and what appear to be two glass nasal tubes, the function and purpose, uncertain. Additionally, a baby bath thermometer is included with this grouping.

The condition of all instruments and accessories is very good with no broken parts. The booklets show mild wear; a tear is present on the bottom front to the back of the 16 page illustrated Rogers Electric Lab booklet.

The 5 electrodes include one COMB ELECTRODE, four Surface Electrodes and one Metal Electrode. The wood box sports a metal lined interior,and has patina consistent of an honorably used antique. The box lock mechanism is complete, sticks slightly and opens easily, measuring 9.75" L x 6.5" W x 4.25" H.

A supplemental addition to one's quack medicine collection! Reasonably priced!

***PRICED EACH***

Offered is an absolutely fabulous group of early 1900, Merck & Co., amber glass, dispensing pharmacy bottles. Each bottle measures 5.5 inches tall, sports a ground glass stopper and comes with 2 labels. Many of the bottles have contents and are in undamaged condition. Only the "Pepsin" bottle has condition issues - (a big chip at the back side of the mouth not seen from the front when displayed).

Don't miss this rare opportunity to acquire a quality pharmacy collection! Select one or more bottle - your choice $40.00 each!

****SODIUM BENZOATE, CAFFEINE, CALAMINE, AMIDOPYRINE, POTASSIUM BROMIDE, ACETPHENETIDIN, GUAIACOL and ACETANILID bottles are SOLD ****

Measuring 6 inches high, this darling, mint condition, Black Memorabilia, pudgy, Little Girl, Bending-Over-Child Nodder was made in 1950’s Japan by the Ardalt China Company. Dressed in just her polka dot panties and shoes, she bends forward peering between her legs at us! Such a darling piece!

The child’s head nods back and forth by pivoting on a tiny metal bar inserted through her neck .

Condition is mint, and the piece is signed on the bottom of her right foot: “Hand Painted Lenwile China Ardalt Japan 6529”.

Black nodders are quite difficult to come by and have become an interesting sub-collecting category in the field of Black Americana! Not to be missed!

Please see the companion matching Ardalt Black Nodder pieces also available (pictured here as well) - the Black Girl Child Nodder and the Black Boy Clown Nodder!!

Offered is the fabulously RARE BIGGER HAIR Negro Tobacco container produced from the mid 1940's through the early 1960's. This container is actually constructed of cardboard with tin base, and is much less frequently found, and thus, much more rare than the earlier, all-metal, and scarce-in-its-own-right, Nigger Hair container due to the greater fragility of cardboard as compared to metal, as well as the fewer numbers of cardboard containers produced.

Following the conclusion of World War II, the American Tobacco Company of Virginia changed its product name from Nigger Hair to Bigger Hair, seeking to broaden the product's marketing appeal as well as viewing the latter label as the more-socially acceptable one. (The earlier Nigger Hair moniker was used by the American Tobacco Company from the 1890's through the early, pre-WWII 1940s; the lithographed can was manufactured by the B. Leidersdorf Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.) Interestingly, the company DID NOT change the image of the African woman, but merely added the words Fiji Islander to the left of her face in its indifferent and weak attempt to move further away from the earlier, severely derogatory label.

Measuring 7 inches high x 5 3/4 inches wide, the container is in good condition, perhaps a 7 out of 10, with one side exhibiting minor surface scuffing, while on the other side more scuffs and rubs are evident. Some minor wear around the edge of the top of the container likely occurred from simply taking the cover on and off; however, this is completely concealed by the cover. The original cardboard cover was lost with the passage of time; the replacement tin cover shown was in place when this container was acquired.

The original brownish orange color of the container remains consistent throughout, and the structural integrity of the cardboard is quite sturdy. Superficial rust is evident on the inside and outside of the metal base; this rust does not impact integrity of the tin base. The container retains partial remnants of its paper Federal Revenue Tobacco seal on both sides.

This very rare tobacco container is just a wonderful example of latter Black Americana advertising. The container looks better "in person" than in the photos as the camera actually accentuated the appearance of the scuffing, especially on the "better" side!

If the Nigger Hair Tobacco container is currently in your collection, the addition of the Bigger Hair container will complete your collection from both a cultural and historical perspective!