Catalog: Archives: Collectibles (190)

Measuring just 2.25 inches in height (minus the hair!!), this extremely RARE, clear glass Golliwogg Perfume Bottle was sold by VIGNY Perfumeries of Paris, France in the 1920’s. The clear glass perfume was the second version of the Vigny “Le Golliwogg” perfume produced from the 1920’s into the 1930’s. The bottle design and name are based on a character created by Englishwoman, Florence K. Upton around the turn of the century. The bottle, itself, was made by Verreries Brosse.

This darling, all-glass piece remains in superb condition-other than its missing front label. It does, however, retain its wonderful, original paper label at the base of the bottle that reads, “ Made in France, Fluid Cont oz 13”. Underneath the label, the base of the clear glass bottle is impressed, “Bottle Made in France”. Additionally, the perfume retains one half of its original and rarely-found, pink-satin-lined, cardboard box which is also labeled "Vigny, Paris" on one of its panels.

The Golliwogg’s head is the perfume stopper (which presently is quite securely affixed in place), and the facial enameling/painting remains as clear and crisp as the day it was applied! Even his black furry hair retains its vibrant, original, dark tones! The Golly’s glass collar is enameled/painted white with black polka dots and his feet are accented in black.

Along with photos of the Golliwog perfume is a photo of an original 1920’s magazine advertisement for Vigny Perfumes including “Le Golliwogg”. The magazine advertisement is not available for sale and is only presented to serve as an historical reference.

A very, very special piece of Black Memorabilia that has appeal to Black Americana, perfume bottle, and Golliwog collectors alike!

Also pictured here and available for sale separately--- coming from the same estate--- is a 2.50 inch, Vigny, France, Golliwogg Perfume in Satin Camphor Glass dating post-WWI and priced at $425.00, as well as a second, 2.25 inch clear glass, 1920's, Golliwogg Perfume bottle complete with all paper labels (but without the box) and priced at $375.00. The satin camphor glass bottle was the VERY FIRST version of the Vigny "Le Golliwogg" perfume, and is much less-frequently found. The "Golly" brand continued to be sold through the 1920-30's. Type "Vigny" in the SEARCH box on our homepage to see all French Golliwogg Perfume bottles!

A delightful and visually appealing Black Memorabilia kitchen item!

This circa 1940's Mammy and Uncle Mose ceramic Vinegar and Oil Set is marked "JAPAN" on each figure's base.

The pair measures approximately 5.25 inches tall and is in wonderful, all original condition! No chips, cracks or repairs. Mild surface crazing present as is appropriate to the age. Uncle Mose is missing a portion of his original cork neck stopper - a very minor inconvenience!

A less seldom seen pair!

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 1910-30's Johnny Griffin item is exceedingly rare, being the only example of this form ever seen by this seller either in print, on the internet or “in person”. Clearly, very few of these smoking and/or tobacco stands were produced in comparison to other Johnny Griffin novelties!

The smoking stand is constructed of two different metals- from the intricately embossed “corn stalk” pot metal cigarette and cigar holders, to the brass plated tray, match holder, base and stand. It is in all original condition with delightful patina- not a reproduction- no replaced parts- and measures 30 inches high x 9 inches wide at the tray. It does not retain any marking other than mold number 3104 located on the underside of the tray. This very unusual smoking and/or tobacco stand is a heavy, sturdy piece, and is well-made.

Johnny Griffin Black Americana collectibles are a very interesting and infrequently found collectible form, and they should rightfully constitute 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 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!

Offered is a graphically appealing, 1950s, Kodak Film Advertising Display. This beauty comes in the original box and shows very little wear. There is scant patina from minimal use, minor surface scratches and blemishes, and one bend in the metal as seen in the photo. The display turns easily on its circular base, and the colors are as bright as if it was brand new! Definitely a discerning collector's dream!

Measures 20.75" tall x 7.25" in diameter. The overall height includes the removal top pediment.

A five-sided display seldom found in this condition!

Measuring just 3 6/8 inches long x 2 ¾ inches wide x 2 inches high, this sweet little 1930’s Germany tin at one tin held coffee!

In very fine condition with the expected superficial scratches and rubs to the litho and some light rust spots on the inside bottom of the tin, the tin’s most endearing feature is the image of 3 adorable black children holding the brand name sign: MACHWITZ KAFFEE.

Brightly colored in orange, gold, black and cream, this darling tin is visually striking and displays very well!

Offered are a group of ten, Black Memorabilia postcards in wonderful, unused condition of 1930's through 1950's vintage, priced at $60.00 for the group of ten.

While some photos may appear a bit blurry, this is a function of photography and not condition. All postcards are crisp and clear! The two comical cartoon postcards are much more brightly and vividly colored than the photos depict. The eight photo postcards also feature titles describing their subjects.

A delightful grouping that would be much-appreciated framed!

A powerful piece of Black Americana, this original and seldom-found, 1897, photo lithograph entitled “Alligator Bait” is a stark reminder of the historic prejudice and racism suffered by Americans of African heritage.

Measuring 11 inches by 25 inches wide, the piece is signed in the lower right corner, "Copyright by McCrary & Branson 189_ Knoxville, Tenn.", with the numeral 7 gone due to missing bits of the paper edge. Research has documented the copyright date of 1897.

The condition is very fine and all-original including the wooden frame and wooden backing. The glass is a replacement. There is some minor water damage here and there along the lower edge as documented in photos which does not impact the image. Some minor paper edge loss is noted in photos.

Indeed, an extraordinarily powerful and historic piece!

Measuring 9-7/8 tall x 13-1/2 inches wide, this extraordinarily rare, Jim Crow era, segregation sign advertises a "colored-only" hotel, Coleman's of Ashland, Virginia.

Constructed of cardboard with black printing, this circa 1920-30s sign reads: " Coleman's Hotel Colored. Special Attention to Tourists. Ashland Virginia".

The sign remains in all-original condition inclusive of minor discoloration as noted in photos and small chips to the upper right and lower left corners. Print source is noted: "Herald-Progress Print, Ashland, VA".

This is NOT a reproduction, but rather a fortunate preservation. It is quite amazing that this sign has survived the many years being constructed out of cardboard. It was clearly stored away in such a manner that preserved its original condition.

Travel for African Americans during the Jim Crow period was difficult and complicated, with limited options for eating, sleeping, even procuring gasoline for the car. As a result, black-owned hotels and motels placed signs such as this one prominently in their windows. There were even special travel-guides to help African Americans plan their trips, hopefully, without incident. Victor Green's "Green Guide" provided state by state lists of colored hotels, motels and other travel-related businesses that catered to African-Americans.

Quite possibly the ONLY sign remaining extant from this particular, racially segregated establishment. An historically significant piece!

Offered for sale are 3 different 1930’s Belgian Metal Polish tins featuring a wonderful Smiling Black Man Logo! All are priced separately---the large at $175.00, and the two small tins at $145.00 each.

All three tins are in very fine condition with some very small spots of superficial rust and teeny superficial surface scratches here and there as would be expected of any item 70+ years of age. These were stored well over the years and their condition reflects this! The largest tin is in the most pristine. The two black, white and red tins are empty but the green and yellow tin still has a hardened lump of polish inside. The large tin measures 5 6/8 inches high, the small black tin measures 4 1/4 inches high, and the green tin measures 4 inches high.

These tins are not readily found on today’s market in this condition and would provide a handsome and visually striking display either as a group of 3 or as a single piece! A nice addition to the advanced Black Memorabilia collection!

As each tin is priced separately, please email us stating which tin you wish to purchase so that we can customize your order form.

Measuring approximately 5 inches high, this very RARE, Japan-made, circa 1930’s pair of Black Butler and Mammy Salt and Peppers are in unused, mint condition, with just the lightest of glaze crazing visible. This highly appealing pair is considered rare as the Butler wears a green jacket versus the very common black jacket. Each is marked “Japan” on the base. A very wonderful addition to the special Black Memorabilia collection!

Measuring nearly 4.75 inches tall, this wonderfully rare, early 1920's, lithographed tin toy is unmarked.

The little boy shuffles along quite nicely via his original wind-up mechanism.

Over 80 years old, he is still quite sturdy as he was well made, but does show some superficial scratching from use over the years.

Of particular interest is the little boy's face which is highly exaggerated, a racist characterization that was unfortunately typical of the era when this toy was produced.

Measuring 4 3/4 inches high, this pre-World War II, Austrian-made, metal ashtray features a very intriguing, slouching, black nodder figure smoking a cigar!

In wonderful, working condition, the black man's head is attached to his body via the original, flexible, metal rod which allows the head to bob back and forth when jiggled.

Marked on the base of the ashtray "Made in Austria". Paint loss as seen in photos with no repairs or repainting!

An interesting character!

Measuring 9.5 x 11.5 inches framed, this lovely, circa 1950’s, multi-colored, cross stitch sampler is entitled, “Enough Is As Good As A Feast”. In excellent condition and appearing to have been recently re-framed, this lovely piece features a Mammy and child carrying meal-filled dishes, presumably, to the dinner table. The sampler also features pretty flowers, and appropriately, a knife and a fork! The tiniest trace of a stain is barely visible at the top of the fork, but truly, it is not readily noticeable and certainly does not detract from the marvelous visual appeal of this very sweet piece!

Protected in a 12 ¾ x 22 ½ inch, gold and green painted wood frame, this authentic GOLD DUST Trolley Sign was manufactured by the N.K. Fairbanks Company in 1921!

GOLD DUST Trolley Signs are a very rare find in today’s market as they were made of cardboard, a material much less likely to withstand the test of time as opposed to tin advertising signs which were much sturdier!

This Gold Dust trolley sign features the Gold Dust Twins busily scrubbing a bathtub in a gleaming blue-green tiled bathroom! On a stool to the left, sits a large, opened box of Gold Dust Washing Powder. The advertisement proclaims in yellow-outlined, navy blue lettering: “Kept Clean with Gold Dust”.

The Gold Dust sign is marked, “Copyright 1921 The N.K. Fairbanks Company.” in the lower left hand corner. In the lower right hand corner, the following appears: “G.D.115 10-21. 64”.

The condition of this trolley sign is truly quite fine. Colors are very strong and consistent throughout; please ignore the various glass reflections seen in some of the photos- they were unavoidable and do appear to make the colors appear faded—which is inaccurate! The sign is free of rips or tears although it does have two surface abrasions at the lower left near the Twins where a top layer of paper is missing- looks as though this occurred long ago when some tape was removed. Some light dirt marks are also seen near the lower twin and between the letters G & O in the word “GOLD”. They are unobtrusive and do not detract from the wonderful image this sign conveys.

An unusual opportunity to acquire a very RARE piece of Black Americana !!

Please take a moment to view the circa 1910-1920 GOLD DUST Scouring Powder can filled with original contents-never opened- that I also have available for purchase as of this writing.

Written by the author of "The Story of Little Black Sambo", Englishwoman, Helen Bannerman's publication of "The Story of Little Black Mingo" followed shortly thereafter, this time, featuring a brave and ingenuous female heroine. Little Mingo, with the help of a friendly mongoose, manages to outsmart both her guardian, an evil old woman who cares nothing for her, and a voracious alligator plotting to devour her! The story ends with Mingo and the mongoose living happily ever after in a nice little house by the riverside.

Helen Bannerman was inspired to write these stories for her two young daughters while the family lived in India; Mingo and Sambo were Indian children and not African-American. They were converted over time to this race, however, by subsequent story tellers and illustrators.

A mini book measuring 4" x 5.75", this cloth-bound hardcover was published by Frederick A. Stokes Company, New York, with 64 pages of vividly colored illustrations, and no copyright date. Research indicates this version was published circa 1902.

Condition is a 9 out of 10! This 120+ year old book has seen little use with just a teeny bit of wear to book edge points and age-related staining with some minor paper loss to the original, overlay-ed paper cover. Some soiling to interior pages here and there, but otherwise, intact and tight with no tears, creases, pen/pencil markings! Amazing condition for a book of this age!

A simply wonderful story, truly a fairy tale of sorts, that is seldom found in this lovely, original, early edition! To see the Little Black Sambo items currently available for sale, simply type “Sambo” into the search box on our website homepage.

Measuring 2.50 inches in height, this extremely RARE, Satin, Camphor glass Golliwog Perfume Bottle was sold by VIGNY Perfumeries of Paris, France in the post World War I years. The satin camphor glass Golliwogg perfume was the very FIRST version of the "Le Golliwogg" perfume to be sold. The bottle design and name are based on a character created by Englishwoman, Florence K. Upton around the turn of the century. The bottle, itself, was made by Verreries Brosse.

This darling, all-glass piece remains in superb condition-no damage of any kind! It retains its wonderful, original satin string around the neck as well as the paper label that reads, “ Le Golliwogg, Vigny, Paris France” and features a lithograph of the Golli’s 2 black hands, positioned in such a way as to suggest that he his holding onto his big round belly!

The Golliwogg’s head is the perfume stopper (which lifts easily out of the bottle), and the facial painting/enameling remains as clear and crisp as the day it was applied! His black furry hair retains most of its original dark tones infused with shades of dark gray! The Golly’s glass collar is painted/enameled white with black lollipops and his feet are accented in black. The original paper label is completely intact.

The base of the clear glass bottle is etched but a challenge to read except under magnification or if the bottle is held up to a light bulb at a given angle. The etching reads, “FRANCE”. This bottle no longer contains perfume.

Along with photos of the Golliwog perfume is also a photo of an original 1920’s magazine advertisement for Vigny Perfumes including “Le Golliwogg”. The magazine advertisement is not available for sale and is only presented to serve as an historical reference.

A very, very special piece of Black Memorabilia that has appeal to Black Americana, perfume bottle, and Golliwog collectors alike!

Also pictured here and available for sale separately--- coming from the same estate--- is a 2.25 inch, Vigny, France, Golliwogg Perfume in Clear Glass dating post-WWI and priced at $375.00, as well as a second, 2.25 inch clear glass, 1920's, Golliwogg Perfume bottle complete with paper base label as well as a partial, original box and priced at $425.00. The clear glass perfume was the second version of the Vigny “Le Golliwogg” perfume produced from the 1920’s into the 1930’s. Type "Vigny" in the SEARCH box on our homepage to see all French Golliwogg Perfume bottles!

Measuring 12 inches tall, this unusual, early 1920's, all-original, handmade cloth doll exudes tremendous personality, and even has a hand-inked name tag stitched to her right arm-- "Sallie"!

Constructed of cotton-stuffed, brown stockinette, Sallie's finely detailed, molded, hand-embroidered face is absolutely priceless! Her painted ceramic button eyes gazing off to her left make her come alive and draw one to her! Sallie's fuzzy, black, real-wool hair further authenticates her look!

Sallie wears well-made, all-original, machine stitched clothing. Her dress and hat are a subtlely toned red, white, and blue plaid cotton. Her hat is lined with the same unbleached cotton muslin that both her double-pocketed apron and laced-trimmed pantaloons are constructed from. On her tiny feet, Sallie wears cream colored cotton stockings and sweet little leather shoes complete with tiny leather bows! Care was taken in the construction of her hands with each finger delineated through careful hand-stitching!

Other than 2 tiny rubs to the surface of her stockinette nose (which appear in photos as lighter-colored tiny dots), Sallie is in excellent condition! She is a very, very fine early cloth doll that should not be overlooked by the serious doll collector! Sallie comes from the same distinguished doll collection as the very rare, C1900, Old Black Granny SAMPLE doll made by Civil War author, Ruie Ann Park of Arkansas, that is also currently being offered.