Catalog: Archives: Collectibles (190)

Measuring 12 inches wide x 8 inches high, this untouched, all-original, double-sided, porcelain, circa 1930s sign is an extraordinarily RARE piece of Black American history-- an artifact of the "Jim Crow" era when segregation of the African American race was unfortunately, most commonplace. The origin of this sign is unknown.

This historically significant sign features a white background with deep blue lettering. It remains in all-original condition with very few flaws: faint, superficial scratches and minute pitting to the porcelain here and there, with most on or near sign edges. The sign is equipped with two metal eyelets at the top which would facilitate hanging so that the double-sided lettering, "COLORED REST ROOM", could be viewed from two opposing directions.

A RARE, one-of-a-kind, museum-worthy piece of Black American history!

Please take a moment to view the other "Jim Crow" Segregationist Era signs that I currently have the pleasure of offering.

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!

An utterly fabulous piece of 1930’s Black Americana, this mint condition, hand-painted, Black Sambo Alligator ashtray measures approximately 5 inches wide by 4.5 inches high. Curly headed Little Sambo holds his original bamboo fishing pole complete with tiny metal hook!

Sambo sits upon the belly of an alligator whose wide open jaws are ready to take a chomp!!

The piece is stamped “Japan” on the base and has wonderful detail! Even the alligator’s tongue has been painted in! Love that nubby, curly hair!

Please note that any white marks appearing in photos are glare from the flash and are not imperfections!

Measuring 7 3/4 inches long, this VERY RARE, 1930’s VINTAGE, Cast Iron, Black Man Chef spoon rest retains most of its original gold paint suggesting that it saw minimal actual use! The well-appointed Black Chef sports a very wide grin and holds a bowl of eggs in his right arm and a wooden mixing spoon in his left.

He is in very fine condition with a smattering of teeny superficial dings to the front side paint surface as well as some very superficial rusting here and there. The backside of the spoon rest is perfect and looks as though it came right out of the factory just yesterday!

The following is imprinted on the backside: “Compliments The Toledo Stove And Range Co”, documenting the spoon rest’s original function- continuous promotional advertising presented as a free giveaway to buyers purchasing the company’s products!

Offered separately is the equally rare companion piece- The Black Mammy Spoon Rest from Toledo Stove and Range! A fortuitous opportunity to acquire a very rare Black Memorabilia pair!

Measuring nearly 8 inches tall, this fabulous Mammy walker toy is constructed of lithographed tin and was made by the Lindstrom Tool & Toy Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Mammy is so marked on her backside!

This 1920-30's toy is the earlier version of the two Mammy walker toys produced by this company, and as one of the early tin African-American-themed toys, it is considered an important addition to any vintage toy collection representing this genre.

Mammy shuffles along quite nicely via her original wind-up mechanism. Over 80 years old, Mammy is still quite sturdy as she was very well made, but she does show some expected scratching from use over the years, and she also has some very typical, superficial surface rusting- most notably at one side seam.

Measuring 9 inches long, this extremely RARE, 1930's, Black Wooden Pull Toy doubles as a wonderfully unique advertising piece!

This fabulous toy is labeled on each side of the orange wagon as follows: "HAPPY HAM FARM PRODUCTS, Newton & Thompson MFG CO, Brandon, Vermont".

The wagon is being "driven" by a hand-painted black figure who moves forward and back again as the wagon is pulled along on its wooden wheels.

In wonderful, all-original condition--no repaint or replaced wooden pieces. One little staple holding the rear axle in place appears to have been replaced as well as the little metal rod which acts as the axle holding the black boy in proper position.

A fabulously RARE piece to embellish one's Black Memorabilia or Vintage Pull Toy collection.

Measuring 6 3/4 inches tall x 3 3/4 inches wide and deep, offered is this rarely found, all-original and vintage, French, BANANIA brand, Chocolate Banana breakfast food tin.

The now empty tin features the Banania brand trademark graphic of a smiling Blackamoor.

Condition is all-original with some wear to tin from use as seen in photos. Light superficial rusting present here and there that does not affect tin integrity and is mostly noted on interior surfaces.

This tin is widely reproduced today, with the original tin very, very difficult to find. A fabulous opportunity to add an authentic vintage BANANIA collectible to one's Black Memorabilia collection!

***Please view the smaller, vintage, BANANIA tin currently available as well as an exceedingly rare, vintage, Banania dexterity puzzle***.

Measuring 9 inches high, these delightful examples of Folk Art styling, represent two of a series of Black cloth character dolls made in Alabama in the 1930’s by unknown craftsmen/women. It has been speculated that their creation was encouraged through FDR’s Depression era program, the Work Projects Administration (WPA), in existence from 1936-1940.

Offered are two of these fabulous WPA craft Black Character dolls.

One doll depicts the black fisherman. He holds a bait pail and bunch of sticks tied together with string that has been flung under his right shoulder. In his left hand, he carries a wooden fishing pole from which a silver-colored, metal fish dangles (the fishing bowl has a bit of scotch tape wrapped around it, leading one to believe that there is some weakness to the pole that required stability provided through the tape). This is an older gentleman who wears a straw hat with gray hair (peeking through the top as well as undersides of the straw hat) and who has embroidered facial features –most characteristic of these dolls. Also characteristic of this type of doll is a small square of asphalt shingle glued to the feet to serve as a stand. Clothing is machine-sewn cotton with careful detailing right down to the patches on his knees and the red hanker chief tied around his neck. His body is black cotton stuffed with cotton batting.

The second doll, who is posed in the photos lovingly draping her right hand through the crook in the Fisherman’s arm while holding a plaid valise in her left, is dressed quite stylishly in flowered skirt with white bloomers showing, a wine-colored jacket with darling round, matching buttons, and a phenomenal black felt hat adorned with ruby red ribbon accented with pink and white flowers. Quite the stylish Grande Dame!

A pair of very special dolls that takes a snapshot of history in capturing the life of the poor southern black of the Depression era.

Dolls are priced separately at $245.00 each.

This fourth edition, miniature, hard cover book , "The Story of Little Black Sambo and the Twins" was written and illustrated by Helen Bannerman, an Englishwoman living in India at the turn of the 20th century who wrote this and a series of six other SAMBO stories to amuse her two little daughters. These subsequent stories are much more rarely found as fewer were published, because at that time, none ever reached the popularity of the original “Little Black Sambo”. "The Story of Little Black Sambo and the Twins" is one of these stories!

To the collector of Helen Bannerman books, no collection is considered complete without a copy of each of the “Sambo” books:

Sambo and the Twins

The Story of Little Black Mingo

The Story of Little Black Quasha

The Story of Little Black Quibba

and in French, Histoire du Petit Negre Sambo.

All are quite difficult to find in any condition!

This 1936 copy of “Little Black Sambo and the Twins” published by Frederick A. Stokes of New York, is in quite fine condition with tight binding, tight pages, no rips or tears, minor edge wear to corners! Please view all photos for condition representation.

The story itself is truly quite violent and frightening in both text and in drawings- involving the kidnapping of the adorable twins, Woof and Moof, by very wicked monkeys!!! And this was bedtime reading for children!!!!

A very RARE book!!!

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 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 7.25 inches high, this difficult to find, Black Americana Vargas wax figure is mounted on its original wooden platform and is one of a series of fascinating "street character wax dolls" conceived of and crafted by Mrs. Concepcion Vargas Alfonso, daughter of the world-renowned, turn-of-the-20th century, New Orleans, Spanish sculptor, Francisco Vargas.

From approximately 1910 through the 1930's, Mrs. Concepcion Vargas-Alphonso, influenced by the great artistry of her famous father who also sculpted in wax, crafted a variety of wax dolls inspired by the black folk she saw on New Orleans's street corners selling their wares or practicing their trade - black folk performing everyday activities that would have been daily seen on the streets of the city.

While the majority of Vargas figures were sold exclusively through Harriet's, of 318 Rue Royal in the French Quarter of New Orleans, a small number of Vargas figures were also sold through Kate Latter's Candy Shop in New Orleans. The shop, opening during the Great Depression years, had significant financial difficulties and closed after only five years (1933-1938) in business. This particular Vargas figure was one that was sold there, and it retains a gold foil sticker advertising the shop underneath its wood base.

Vargas figures are completely hand-made, one-of-a-kind dolls that are seldom found on today's market due to their inherently fragile nature, making them highly sought after in the Black Memorabilia / Black Americana Collectible arena.

This figure, known as the Sugar Cane Seller, was recently de-accessioned from the Louisiana State University Rural Life Museum collection, Baton Rouge, LA, having been acquired by the museum from a private collector in January 1979.

The Sugar Cane Seller is one of the more difficult to find of the Vargas figures. In his right hand he holds three stalks of newly cut sugar cane, and in his left hand he holds a silver-colored, light-weight, metal machete.

Vargas wax figures are distinctly characterized by their interesting but highly exaggerated facial features. This gentleman Sugar Cane Seller wears a red and yellow checked kerchief around his neck, a green shirt with yellow polka dots, black and tan striped pants, and black "leather" shoes. His costume is entirely constructed of actual cloth fabric that was coated with a fine layer of clear wax to stiffen them. The Sugar Cane Seller's wax body is internally supported by a wire frame through which the figure is securely attached to the wooden base. Underneath the wood base is found the Kate Latter's Candy Store sticker as well as an inventory sticker from the LSU Rural Life Museum.

This wonderful figure is in fine condition for his 90+ years of age with the following minor restorations likely performed by the professionals at the LSU Rural Life Museum: a restored right hand (that is presently missing a thumb), and restoration to the back of the vendor's hat, noted by the lighter colored wax. The sugar cane stalks appear to have been reattached in place, and his left hand is also missing the thumb. Due to the fragility of the wax fingers, it is not uncommon to find them missing or partially present.

The Sugar Cane Seller's light-weight metal machete was once attached to the left hand. It is my opinion that this metal machete was fashioned by professionals at the museum to replace the original cardboard version. Its weight, however, appears to be too much for the wax hand to hold, and thus, it became unattached while still in the museum's collection. As seen in the photos, the machete can be successfully rested inside the hand provided it is placed so that it is balanced, with equal lengths of the machete in front of and behind the hand.

A true must-have, rarely-found piece for the ardent collector of New Orleans Black folk character figures!

Please take a moment to view the additional Vargas figures we currently have the pleasure of offering for sale. Type "Vargas" into the search box on our website homepage.

Offered is this 1927 copyright, LITTLE BLACK SAMBO published by Rand McNally Company, Chicago. Hardcover, 64 pages.

Little Black Sambo is the featured story in this book with the short stories, "The Gingerbread Man" and Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse", added in as extras. While the illustrator in unnamed in the book's credits, all illustrations are executed by the same hand and are either initialed MEP" or signed "Margaret Evans Price".

A much-beloved children's classic written in the early 1900's by Englishwoman, Helen Bannerman, for her two daughters while they lived in India, Sambo, in the original tale, was an Indian boy and not an African-American child. He was soon converted 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!

The book exterior has seen much wear as evidenced in the photos, with significant wear to all edges, which amazingly, has had no effect on the sturdy structure of this book! The interior of the book remains in absolutely perfect condition, with an undamaged, very tight binding, and not an imperfection to be found-- no rips, stains, creases--only the inked inscription of the last name, "Meyere" on the upper right corner of the title page (see photos).

Illustrations are lovely and have that timeless yet nostalgic look of fine work produced in the Art Deco era!

Little Black Sambo books from this period are infrequently found!

Offered is a fabulous, one-of-a-kind group of 15, hand-carved and hand-painted, circa 1920-1930's, wooden miniatures of Black Folk as they would have appeared during the Harlem Renaissance!

Hand-executed by Robert A. Myers of 73 E. Hazeltine Avenue, Kenmore, New York, the figures vary in height from 2.25 to 2.75 inches. The colors are absolutely brilliant and the detailing exquisite with the tiniest of details painted with superb precision, control and great artistry.

"HAND MADE, R. A. Myers, 72 E. Hazeltine Ave., Kenmore, NY" is clearly stamped on the soles of approximately 5 of the figures--yet there is no question that all were executed by the same hand, and it is likely that all figures at one time bore this stamp.

Little is known of Robert A. Myers other than the fact that the street address stamped on the soles of the figures' feet was a private residence, and Robert A. Myers was indeed listed as residing at this address in a 1930 Kenmore (a suburb of Buffalo) telephone directory.

The fabulous figures have been safely stored over these many years in a felt-lined, hardwood, hinged box which undoubtedly has contributed to their most excellent condition!

Truly a RARITY! These wonderful folk art figures would make an outstanding addition to the museum quality Black Memorabilia collection! Not to be missed--these are one-of-a-kind!

Published in 1938, by Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston & New York, this seldom-found, children's book tells of the misadventures of little Epaminondas, who despite his Mammy's attempts to instruct him otherwise, has much difficulty successfully navigating the day without getting into some sort of trouble. Poor Epaminondas cannot do anything right!

Measuring 6.75 inches wide x 8 inches long, the book is illustrated in both black silhouette and colored, line drawings. 16 pages long. Great condition-- tight binding, no tips or missing pages, clean. Cloth-bound hard covers.

A delightful addition to one's Black Memorabilia collector!!

Measuring 9 inches high, these delightful examples of Folk Art styling, are two of a series of Black cloth character dolls made in Alabama in the 1930’s by unknown craftsmen/women.

It has been noted that their creation was encouraged through President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Depression era program, the Work Projects Administration (WPA), in existence from 1935-1943. The WPA was designed to provide jobs across the country during the Great Depression. While most jobs were in construction and infrastructure, the most well-known project arm of the WPA, known as Federal Project Number One, employed musicians, artists, writers, actors and directors in arts, drama, media, and literacy projects. The five projects assigned to this consortium were: the Federal Writers’ Project (FWP), the Historical Records Survey (HRS), the Federal Theatre Project (FTP), the Federal Music Project (FMP), and the Federal Art Project (FAP). The creation of these dolls fell under the WPA Federal Art Project, with the goal of representing the various aspects of the culture, work and lives of the Southern black community of this time period.

The doll clad in all black depicts the VERY rarely-found, black country preacher out for an afternoon stroll with his wooden walking stick in one hand and the Holy Bible clutched in the other. The preacher wears a machine-stitched suit thoughtfully detailed with fine, white shirt cuffs poking out from beneath his jacket and the white Reverend's collar at his neck. His left shoe reveals a hole with a sock-covered toe poking through! The preacher's stove-pipe-style hat is placed snugly on his head covering most of his gray hair although his full gray facial beard features prominently. His embroidered facial features, characteristic of these WPA dolls, are further accented with "steel-rimmed" style eye glasses. The 1.5 square inch bible actually has real pages! Also characteristic of this type of doll is a small square of asphalt shingle glued to the feet to serve as a stand. The doll's body is well-stuffed with cotton batting and he stands freely.

The gray-hair and bearded, chicken-toting black country gent doll is also attired in machine-stitched clothing and additionally shares a cotton-bating stuffed body, embroidered facial features, and an asphalt shingle tile stand. He wears cotton britches detailed with double knee patches and suspenders along with a blue and cream striped cotton shirt and a red and white polka dot kerchief around his neck. His hat is constructed of black-colored felt. This country gent holds a finely crafted and detailed brown chicken under his right arm, while his left hand clutches a wooden walking stick.

Two very special dolls that represent a snapshot of history, capturing the lives of poor Southern black folk of the Depression era.

The dolls are priced at $295.00 each.

Measuring 7 3/4 inches long, this VERY RARE, 1930’s VINTAGE, Cast Iron, Mammy spoon rest retains most of its original gold paint suggesting that it saw minimal actual use! The well-dressed Mammy sports a wide grin and holds an iron in her right hand and other household implements in the left.

She is in very fine condition with a smattering of teeny superficial dings to the front side paint surface as well as some very superficial rusting here and there. The back side of the spoon rest is perfect and looks as though it came right out of the factory just yesterday!

The following is imprinted on the backside: “Compliments The Toledo Stove And Range Co”, documenting the spoon rest’s original function- continuous promotional advertising presented as a free giveaway to buyers purchasing the company’s products!

Offered separately is the equally rare companion piece- The Black Chef Spoon Rest from Toledo Stove and Range! A fortuitous opportunity to acquire a very rare Black Memorabilia pair!

This sweet, 1930's, wooden pull toy made by the Hustler Toy Corporation of Sterling, Illinois, features a darling little black character pulling the reins of his white mustang horse! The toy measures 12 inches long x 5.5 inches high.

When the toy is pulled, the wheels rotate and the horse's head bobs up and down! Just adorable!

This 75 year old toy is in very good condition with very minimal and expected, normal wear from light playing to appropriate areas (see photos).

All original including very aged (!)string, with no breaks and no repairs or replacements to either wooden or metal parts. There is evidence of repaint to the green platform and the red wheels only; however this was done a very, very long time ago as the repainted areas show old wear! The horse's black cloth ears are worn-looking but still intact!

A very charming old toy with fabulous, visual "shelf appeal"! Perfect for either the Early Toy or Black Memorabilia collection!

In wonderful condition, this hard-bound, 2nd printing of Elvira Garner's "EZEKIAL" retains its original dust jacket.

Printed in 1937, this delightful story of little Ezekial and his Florida family was both written and illustrated by Ms. Garner.

The book is tightly bound with some foxing at the front and back cover interior seams. The colors are much brighter and more vivid than they appear in my photos. No rips, tears, or repairs. Photos provide a representation of condition of interior pages, cover and dust cover. Excellent condition for its 70 years!

A very difficult to find Black Memorabilia children's story book!

Rarely found in today's collector's market and measuring just 4 inches wide x 4.5 high, this early cast iron still bank was produced in England in the 1930s by Chamberlain & Hill. Buyer beware: this is NOT a reproduction!!! Reproductions have the words "Made in England" impressed into the back of the hat as well as a paint distinction: only the "whites" of the eyes are painted white on a reproduction versus the painting of the entire eyelid area on legitimate, vintage cast iron banks (see my photos).

This silly caricature bank features a black man's head mounted on two little feet- no body! He wears a red hat labeled, "Save and Smile Money Box" impressed across the front rim. This two piece mold has a coin slot on the top of the back of the head. The bank would have to be unscrewed to be emptied.

This all original still bank is in very fine condition with most of its paint remaining intact- no repaint!! A must-have for the serious still bank or Black Memorabilia collector!!

Measuring 4 ¼ inches high with a 3 /14 inch diameter, this UNUSED, 1 pound can of circa EARLY 1930’s, Old BLACK JOE Axle Grease is in very fine condition! There is some wear to the paint along the edge of the lid cover and at the top and bottom side surfaces, but virtually no rusting! The only noted rusting was to the base of the can and this is very superficial and can be buffed away. The can is quite structurally sound with no leaking as demonstrated by the photos taken on unprotected, white, antique bed linens!

Old Black Joe Axle Grease was manufactured by the John Hancock Oil Company of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota- the Twin Cities. The can was made by the St. Louis Can Company and is so labeled (see photos). Note the exaggerated facial features of OLD BLACK JOE---an unfortunate, but very typical depiction of African Americans during this time period.

A wonderful and scarce find Black Memorabilia collectible in near excellent condition!

An utterly fabulous, all-original, 1930s, "pure licorice", English Toffee tin with a phenomenal caricature of a black man eating a large piece of yummy toffee! This piece is enhanced with a striking visual graphic making this the centerpiece of one's Black Memorabilia collection!!

Measures 9.75 inches high x 6.25 inches wide x 4.25 inches deep. Condition is quite fine with superficial scratches and minor surface rust near the base and on some seams--see photos--no problems to structural integrity!

A representative sampling of pages from this hard-to-find, 1935, hard cover, 1st edition, miniature folio, Little Black Sambo book published by Platt & Munk Brothers, Inc., of New York, has been photographed for one’s viewing pleasure!

In utterly excellent condition with the only flaws noted being subtle wear to the paper dust jacket and a past owner's name and address, this version of the Little Black Sambo story is highly collectible as any item produced by its publisher, Platt & Munk, is aggressively sought-after due to the company’s reputation for use of extraordinarily vivid graphics.

This mini book is sixty-two pages long with 29 vividly colored illustrations designed and executed by the author, Frank Ver Beck.

A must have edition for the collector of Little Black Sambo books!

Measuring 4 inches high, this very visually appealing, VINTAGE, solid brass Grinning Black Man with Bowtie Bottle Opener is in near excellent condition with very minimal wear! Scarcely used, he still retains 90% of his original black and gold paint! Designed to be mounted to the wall via three screws, it is quite likely this bottle opener saw little use given its excellent condition! A fabulous find!

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!

A very difficult to find Tin, Black Man dancing toy!

In very fine condition, with faint, superficial scratches expected of a 70+ year old metal toy, this wonderful Tuxedoed Dancing Black Man is in working condition! He is stamped "Made in USA" on his back and was made by Buffalo Toy Works. It is operated via a small metal lever at the base that can be jiggled (thus, the name "Jigger" Toy) up and down and back and forth to make Dancing Sambo wave his arms and jiggle his legs!

Measures approximately 6.5 inches high. Maker unknown. Displays wonderfully!

Please note that any white spots appearing in photos are from the camera flash and are not imperfections!

JASBO BROWN AND SELECTED POEMS.

Author: Heyward, DuBose.
Title: JASBO BROWN AND SELECTED POEMS.
Subject: African-American Experience and Culture of Charleston, South Carolina Publication: New York: Farrar & Rinehart, (1931)
Edition: First Edition

Description: First edition. Hardcover, gilt-stamped brown cloth. First printing. 96 pages. A tight very good plus copy with a partial, former ownership bookplate with minor writing, some tiny chipping to the spine ends. No dust jacket.

Farrar & Rinehart, Inc. indicated their First Editions by the small oval logo forming the letters F an R immediately above the copyright line on the back of the title page.

The 1924 date is for the copyright date of the poetry, the 1931 is the date of first publication in book form.

Edwin DuBose Heyward (August 31, 1885 – June 16, 1940) was an American author who was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. He is best known for his 1925 novel Porgy. He and his wife Dorothy, a playwright, adapted it as a 1927 play of the same name. The couple worked with composer George Gershwin to adapt the work as the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. It was later adapted as a 1959 film of the same name. Heyward also wrote poetry and other novels and plays, and this book of selected poems reflected his observations of and experiences with black culture in Charleston during his childhood.

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!

Published in 1939 by the Whitman Publishing Company of Racine, Wisconsin, this very rarely-found, large folio, fine heavy stock, softcover book measuring 12.5 x 9.75 inches, offers a very unique continuation of the original Little Black Sambo story!

Entitled A New Story of Little Black Sambo, this tale picks up the story of the original Little Black Sambo tale with Little Sambo's mother, Black Mumbo, exclaiming that Sambo, after almost losing his best Sunday clothes to the tigers, would- from now on- only be allowed to wear his every day clothes. Now very unhappily dressed in only a grass skirt, a pouting and naughty Sambo decides to run off into the jungle once again without permission, and climbs a tree to gather coconuts. Two hungry tigers soon arrive threatening to eat Little Black Sambo, trapping him up in the tree for the entire day! Eventually, Sambo's friend, Tusker the Elephant arrives, successfully chasing off the tigers, saving Sambo. Tusker carries Sambo back home, where his worried parents await him. Relieved that Sambo is finally safely home, Black Mumbo decides not to punish him too harshly by spanking him with a hairbrush for running off without permission and all alone. The conclusion of the tale then moves forward one month, one week and one day before Little Black Sambo is finally allowed to wear his fine clothes once again!

Although no author is attributed, it is thought by some that this continuation tale of Little Black Sambo was co-authored by Clara Bell Thurston and Earnest Vetsch, who illustrated Whitman Publisher's earliest and first known edition of this story version in 1926.

The hallmark of this version of A New Story of Little Black Sambo is the utterly fabulous illustrations that make this edition stand out. The vibrant colors used, the stunning detail applied, make each of the 12 full color plates simply gorgeous works of art! This softcover book is constructed of very sturdy, heavy, high quality stock which likely accounts for its very good condition. No fading of color, writing or missing pages. Binding is tight with all three original staples present although the cover pages have separated at the bottom to just above the lowest staple. Some page edges are subtly worn with minor creasing, and age-related, light soiling is present.

This very rarely found continuation of the original Little Black Sambo story is a must have addition for the collector of Little Black Sambo books! Given the extraordinary quality of the illustrations, this is a book that one will want to display- under protective cover, of course!

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

A representative sampling of pages from this hard-to-find, 1938, hard cover, Little Black Sambo book published by McLoughlin Brothers, Inc., of Springfield, Massachusetts, has been photographed for one’s viewing pleasure!

In utterly excellent condition with the only flaws noted being very subtle wear to spine edges and book cover tips, this version of Little Black Sambo is highly collectible as any item produced by its publisher, McLoughlin Brothers, is aggressively sought due to the company’s reputation for use of extraordinarily vivid graphics.

Thirty pages long with 14 vividly colored illustrations and 4 completed in black and white by Hildegard Lupprian. A must have edition for the collector of Little Black Sambo books!

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 3 1/4 inches high, this Japan-made, quite nicely detailed and hand-painted, pot metal figure depicts the traditional RED CAP Railroad Porter with his arms quite full of luggage along with a set of golf clubs slung over his shoulder!

In excellent condition with virtually no evidence of paint loss, this sweet little figure-- as an added bonus to its delightful appeal—features a detachable suitcase, as one of the porter’s hands is actually a tiny hook!

Once commonly found, the tiny Red Cap Railroad Porter figure is becoming quite scarce!

This authentic, 1930-40's, framed barber shop or beauty salon advertisement for "Slick Black Hair Color and Straightener" for African Americans was extremely difficult to photograph as it is framed under glass. Please note that actual poster color is deep, rich, and even throughout, and that any imperfections in the images as may appear in photos, are due strictly to lighting and glare difficulties.

This colorful paper broadside measures approximately 10.5 inches wide x 15.25 inches, and framed, measures 17 inches wide x 22 inches long. The poster or broadside is in excellent condition with the exception of a small, 1.5 inch long crease line above the top of the gray side of the model under the word "hair'. Otherwise wonderful!!

This piece has been matted and framed for some time and most recently hung on a wall in a Florida restaurant. To deter pilferage, the frame was actually screwed into the wall and as such, has evidence of minor puttying and repainting restoration where the two little screw holes were in the frame. The new owner may wish to continue restoration or simply leave the frame as is!

This poster is rarely found in the antiques market today, and due to its striking imagery and coloring, is destined to become a most delightful and decorative room focal point!!

Measuring 14.50 inches high and standing on a 5.50 inch square base, this fabulous, vintage 1930's, chalkware statue of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong holding his fabled cornet is quite heavy, weighing nearly 5 lbs!

Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) was the greatest Jazz musician of all time, defining what it was, what it meant to play Jazz. His incredible technical abilities, the joy and spontaneity felt in his works, and his amazingly quick, inventive, musical mind continues to dominate Jazz to this day.

This wonderful piece is a superb likeness of "Satchmo", and it remains in very fine, all-original condition! No chips, cracks, repairs or repainting! Minor and tiny, age-related flakes to the surface of this chalkware piece exist here and there and are entirely appropriate given the statue's 70+ years of age. No maker's mark--just a small encircled "C" for copyright on the back of the base. Bottom of base is covered in an original, soft, felt-like material to prevent statue from scratching display surfaces.

A fabulous piece of Louis Armstrong Memorabilia!!

Offered is this 1931 copyright, LITTLE BLACK SAMBO Book with text and illustrations by the original author of this tale, Helen Bannerman. A David McKay Company publication of Phildelphia and Washington Square, copyright by Howard E. Altemus, with an introduction by George C. Harvey. Hardcover, 59 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 8 out of 10. This book has seen careful but frequent use with moderate wear to book cover edges as well as the red cloth spine cover. While the binding remains quite tight, surface soiling to covers and some interior pages is evident. The inside front cover reveals a penned inscription from an aunt to her nephew at Christmas, 1937.

This book retains outstanding, bold and brilliant coloring of all illustrations--- just fabulous---given its 89+ years of age!

There are small tears at the bottom of the following pages very near the bound side of the pages ranging from 1/2 to 1.5 inches long; some tears have old tape repairs: pages 9, 18, 19,20, 28, 33, 47, 49, 58.

A unique copy!

Originally published in 1914 by Rand McNally & Company, this edition of this very delightful little story book was published in 1937 and features the tale of Watermelon Pete and his adventures along with five other little stories. The five stories that follow Watermelon Pete do not feature Pete and instead represent a diverse collection of nursery-like tales for young folk.

The stories were written by Elizabeth Gordon and are whimsically illustrated in color by Clara Powers Wilson.

In fine condition with light wear to exterior boards. An early owners name appears inscribed on the title page. A small folio size measuring 5.25 inches x 6.75 inches.

Measuring 13 inches long x 6 inches wide, this untouched, all-original, double-sided heavy metal sign is an extraordinarily RARE piece of Black American history-- an artifact of the "Jim Crow" era when segregation of the African American race was unfortunately, most commonplace.

This sign was once bolted onto the inside of a railroad car, designating the line behind which African Americans must remain-- in the back of the car.

The sign is painted on both sides as follows: the back of the sign is painted with white lettering on a black background and reads, "THIS PART OF THE CAR FOR COLORED RACE". The front of the sign is painted with black lettering on a white background and reads, "THIS PART OF THE CAR FOR WHITE PEOPLE".

The sign is in all-original condition and has some paint loss and superficial rust as noted in photos that does not impact the integrity of the sign and is appropriate to the age and purpose of the piece. Wear to the "white side" of the sign has resulted in the removal of portions of the words "THIS PART".

An utterly phenomenal, extremely RARE, one-of-a-kind, museum-worthy piece of Black American history that may very well be the only one of its kind extant today!