Historical Collectibles and other Fun Stuff

1880's NPRR Advertising Sign

2011-08-23T15:49:00.000-07:00

This item is now for sale and can be seen at www.RareNPRR.com

Ca. 1910 Pleasure Guide To Paris ~ Paris by Night, Paris by Day

2010-07-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

This post is going to be a work in progress as I will be scanning some 40-50 pages (very carefully) from this fascinating early book on Paris.

For Poster collectors, Art collectors etc. to view photographs and read from the actual era of the clubs, cabarets etc. where some of the worlds greatest artists visited, often on a daily basis, this book is a visual and enjoyable step back into history.

Judging by the few photographs of automobiles inside and on the cover, this undated softcover booklet appears to be from around 1910 or so. Most of the transportation photographs inside show a horse carriage so it is probably a safe guess that many of the photographs used in the book were taken much earlier and had been used in older versions of the book. Some photos probably date from Pre-1900.

Cover Artist: L. Vallet.

Size: 4-1/2"w X 7-1/8"h ~ Soft Cover

Additional scans will be added in the near future.

Whaleback Steamships, SS Christopher Columbus

2010-07-13T06:29:00.000-07:00

The S.S Christopher Columbus, the only Whaleback Passenger Steamer ever built!

Below is a very early ca. 1892-93 advertising card on heavy paper board, describing the S.S Christopher Columbus Whaleback with an inset photograph of Capt. Alexander McDougall (1845-1924). The artist drawn S.S Christopher Columbus image is pasted onto the heavy paper board and has a description on the backside.

This card is a very early & relatively rare advertising item on the S. S Christopher Columbus, I have never seen another in 40 years of collecting. The Christopher Columbus was built specifically to carry passengers to and from the 1892 Worlds Fair (Columbian Exposition) held in Chicago.

During the Fair years, the Christopher Columbus carried nearly two million passengers on the six-mile run between Randolph Street in downtown Chicago and the exposition grounds at Jackson Park. The name "Whaleback" was not an official name, it was used because of the ships design and appearance.

Click on all thumbnails for enlargements ~

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Size: 4" x 8-1/8"

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Above left: A RPPC of the Christoper Columbus several years after the Fair ended.
Above right: A "Hold to Light" postcard of the Christopher Columbus during the Worlds Fair.

The Christopher Columbus was one of the most elegantly decorated ships afloat in that era. Whether it was an ocean going liner or a great lakes liner, the Chistopher Columbus was designed to provide Fair passengers with comfort and elegance.

The photo to the left shows the Columbus pulling into the dock to unload passengers for the Worlds Fair.

As seen above in the 1892 advertising piece an additional deck was added (see RPPC above left) after the worlds Fair ended and the Columbus was put into service as a Great lakes Passenger Steamer and ultimately had a 44 year career, ending up in a scrap pile in 1936. What a shame this ship was not preserved.

Cargo Carrying Whalebacks

Capt. Alexander McDougall, inventor of the "Whaleback" ship design wanted a ship that would be more stable on the extremely dangerous Great Lakes and yet hold significant amounts of cargo.

McDougall came up with a partially submerged ship design, very much like a submarine except the wheelhouse was above the water. The cargo holds were below the surface. There is one remaining Whaleback in existence in Superior, Wisconsin, the S.S Meteor which became a Museum in 1973.

My wife and I toured that ship about 20 years ago and I would have hated to have been below during a storm on the Lakes! Whalebacks were hard working ships and comfort below deck obviously was not a priority.

Original unused Cigar Box label

Below is a 1895 stereographic photo of a cargo Whaleback being loaded with grain in Chicago, Ill. The Photo on the right has been enlarged.

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Click on all thumbnails for enlargements ~

Visually Watermark Digital Photographs

2010-07-06T05:57:00.000-07:00

This is a blog for collectors of all kinds but all collectors that have a blog or a website should realize that there are other types of collectors hunting the internet and that's the Online Photograph/Image hunters.

There are individuals that scour the internet for unprotected, historic or interesting photographs and they simply copy the image, enhance it on sophisticated software and then print it and sell the image on the internet.

Many of these individuals are honest and do own the image they are selling or are using an "out of copyright image" (In Public Domain) which is perfectly legal. Others just hunt to find photographs we collectors have found and paid money for, to copy & enhance and re-sell for their own profit. This is what I take issue with.

I have paid for virtually every old photograph I have on my blog except for a couple of family photographs & I do not want photograph scavengers to profit from my own efforts & expense. I have the same explanation at the top of this blog, but many visitors miss viewing the page, thus this post!
That's why I began using photograph watermarking, simply to protect my images from being copied and sold. I started out adding text to my photos using "MS Picture It" but I have to tell you, that is a slow, tedious method when you have a lot of photos.

I started looking on the internet, downloading numerous programs, some which were very expensive and then I found "Visual Watermark". A very simple, powerful and cheap watermarking program that protects digital photographs with an unremoveable watermark.

I downloaded their trial version, loved it and bought it! If you have a blog or website with photographs that should be protected, you might want to give this program a try. Here is their website for both a free trial download and to purchase either their personal or business edition. I purchased the personal. Click here ~ Picture Watermark Personal.

PBS Antiques Roadshow "Custers Last Rally" Original 1881 Print

2010-07-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

CUSTERS LAST RALLY

Original 1881 Stone Chromolith Print of "Custers Last Rally" by John Mulvaney

My wife and I had tickets to attend the Las Vegas PBS Antiques Road Show. We were interviewed & selected to appear on the PBS Internet Site and also selected for an appearance on the Televised Roadshow. (Left: Scene from televised interview). Click here for behind the scenes photographs from the Roadshow.

I will be adding additional photographs in the near future. I was interviewed on-air by Christopher Lane below ~

Click on link below to watch a video of the televised interview in another window ~

................... Watch televised video

If the Video doesn't play because of your current installed media player, below is a transcript of the interview;

Appraised By:

Christopher Lane
Prints & Posters
Co-Owner
The Philadelphia Print Shop

Transcript of On-Air Interview

APPRAISER: You brought in this rather gory, dramatic scene with a very familiar figure in the middle, George Custer here. Tell me where you got it.

MYSELF: My wife and I, we were down at a flea market. And I saw it laying there actually on the ground and I walked by it. And I asked the guy how much he wanted for it. And, uh, he told me and I thought about it. And then I forgot about it and went home. And the rest of that night I was saying, "Why did I do that? I should've bought it." And, so what happened was my wife ended up buying it and she hid it for four months underneath the bed. So, uh...

APPRAISER: Then gave it to you?

MYSELF: And then-- for my birthday. It's been over my desk for about 15, 17 years. It's just an interesting subject.

APPRAISER: You know quite a bit about it. Why don't you tell me what you know about it?

MYSELF: I believe the correct title is “Custer's Last Rally.” The artist was John Mulvany. And this was done in 1881. The date is right down here in the corner. The original oil painting was a very large size. It actually ended up touring the country for quite a while. And I believe that painting still exists and is in a museum. And from what I understand,
Mulvany died pretty penniless. That was his masterpiece of his career. And other than that, that's pretty much what I know.

APPRAISER: That's quite a bit. It's “Custer's Last Rally,” and, of course, it does show the scene of what's often called "Custer's last stand." And Mulvany, he was an Irish immigrant who came over and did some sketching during the Civil War, and after the Civil War moved out West and got very interested in this battle. And actually went to the battlefield to sketch the terrain, interviewed some of the survivors to get the uniforms right. He talked to some of the Indians to find out what happened, and tried to do this as accurately as possible. I believe it's 11x20. Made a huge impact. Now, it was hard for artists in the late 19th century to make money. So what they often did was they did tour.

MYSELF: Okay.

APPRAISER: And they took it all around the United States, and would charge admission for people to come in and see. And because that only made him so much money, he decided to have a print made of it.

MYSELF: Okay.

APPRAISER: That was the painting that was done in 1881. This print here does have a copyright on it, but it doesn't have a date. It was done in Chicago by the Chicago Lithograph and Engraving Company, probably not too long afterwards, probably 1882, 1883. This is done by the process of chromolithography. And chromolithography
was used because it was a way that they could duplicate as closely as possible the original oil. They kept putting on the colors and that gave it a richness and a texture that made it look like the original painting.

MYSELF: I see.

APPRAISER: Now, 'cause every color was put on with a separate stone, you had to line up the stones exactly right. And so what these are, is they are the register marks that they used to line up the stone so it would print properly and wouldn't be fuzzy. It's actually a very good quality chromolithograph. They would have done a fair number; nobody knows how many. But it's very rare. In fact, this is the first one I've ever seen in person.

MYSELF: Okay.

APPRAISER: I've never had it for sale. I've never seen it sold.

MYSELF: Wow.

APPRAISER: Now, what did you pay for it? Or your wife when she bought it?

MYSELF: Well, she told me she paid $225.

APPRAISER: Well, it is not in great condition. You've got the stains from the wood slats at the back. Where the wood slats meet, acid comes out and burns the paper. You also have a tear over on that side.

MYSELF: Okay.

APPRAISER: If you spent maybe $300, $400 on that, it would up the price to another thousand dollars.

MYSELF: Really? Well, I've enjoyed it.

APPRAISER: Good.

MYSELF: And I'm really glad we brought it down.

APPRAISER: I'm glad your wife got it for you.

MYSELF (chuckles): So am I.

Vintage Bar~Saloon Interior Photographs

2010-07-05T05:16:00.000-07:00

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Photographs are 5" x 7"

Just a pair of fun old photographs. The photograph on the left has the Photographer identified on the back: F.B. Brown, Minneapolis, Minnesota. By looking at the glass liquor display cases on the wall behind the bar, the nice light fixture hanging in the center behind the bar and the nice tile floor, this looks like it was a relatively nice bar in it's day. It does have gross looking spittons though!

The photograph on the left has a poster in the background which has printing on it "Protect yourself _ War _ _" This is a WW1 era photograph! The back of the photo has "July 5" written in pencil which explains the patriotic flag buntings. A sign above a door says "Re-Elect C.F. Tuttle ____". The bar is probably a Minneapolis bar also since that is where I bought this photograph.

Both photographs are mounted on board, but I cropped to the photo to save on space and loading time. I may have a few other bar interiors stuck away in boxes, if I come across them later on, I'll add them to this post. Photographs have PhoP added (see explanation above).

Buffalo Bill & Doc Carver 1883 Wild West Billboard Photograph

2010-07-02T12:16:00.001-07:00

1883 Stereoscopic
photograph by Woodward
Stereoscopic Co., Rochester, N.Y.
The right hand border identifies "Utica, N.Y.", probably where this photograph was taken.

If anyone is from Utica and knows this building, send a current photo & I'll post it.

...........Click on thumbnails to enlarge

The horse & buggy is a good size comparison of the large billboard.

Original photographs of Buffalo Bills early outdoor billboard advertising with Buffalo Bill & Doc Carver are very rare!

1883 was Buffalo Bill's first year of Wild West Shows over the next 34 years. Shadows on the billboard from tree branches don't help clarity.

I have a powerful magnifying glass and can make out about 95% of what the billboard has printed on it. Across the top of the billboard is " The Wild West, Cody & Carver's Rocky Mountain and Prairie Exhibition".

Across the bottom of the billboard I can make out "Herds of Mountain Elk (?) & Indians _ _" The scene shows two white horses and riders. Both riders are shooting at huge, dark buffaloes that are larger than even their horses.

The enlarged photograph is not very clear as I had to enlarge it so much. A powerful, quality magnifying glass brings out the billboard details.

The Wild West Show with Cody & Carver opened in May of 1883 in Omaha, Nebraska and the two partners parted ways in November of 1883 which makes dating this billboard very easy as far as the year it was used and this photo taken.

Amazingly, an original Billboard for Buffalo Bills Wild West Show was uncovered, still on a wall in New York just a few years ago. I have included some information on that billboard on another post about Buffalo Bill on this blog. You can see that Buffalo Bill Combination post here.

Blog & Website Photo Optimization

2010-07-02T05:22:00.000-07:00

This post isn't about a collectible but it is about a tool that I use to post photographs on this blog and other websites. This is hopefully some useful information about using photographs on your blog or website (or in emails etc).

If you aren't already, you should be using a photo optimization program which compresses your photographs and optimizes the use of colors etc. Using an optimization program will dramatically speed up the loading of your photographs. A 6.85mb photograph can be optimized so it only uses 70kb and yet the difference in clarity of the photograph is hardly noticeable.

For the past 8 years I have been using Microsoft Picture-It, but a couple of months ago I found a neat little stand alone photo optimization program called RIOT (Radical Image Optimization Tool) that is free and so simple to use, its amazing! I still use MS Picture-It for photo sizing and initial web optimization but when I use it in combination with RIOT, the reduction is amazing.

Here is the website:
http://luci.criosweb.ro/

I'm just passing on to visitors information about a photo optimization program that is free, simple to use and extremely effective. Try it and watch your blogs, website, emails load 80-90% faster than not using an optimization program.

Vintage Drugstore & Soda Fountain Photographs

2010-07-01T05:35:00.000-07:00

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Click on thumbnails to enlarge

Original Drugstore photographs from approximately 1910-1925
Photographs are 5"x7"

I purchased all of these at the same time approximately 20 years ago, I paid $10 each (price is still on the back of each). These photographs were taken out of a scrapbook as the old glue and paper is still stuck to the backside of each, happily, removing them from the scrapbook didn't cause any damage to the front of the photograph. (The photos may look a little grainy, my photo optimizer program ("Riot" a free program) setting is set so that large photographs only require 70kb which enables faster loading and keeping most of the photographs clarity).

Notice in the first photograph to the left the very fancy tables made of glass so items can be placed inside for viewing while having that Coca-Cola or Dr. Pepper, most likely items were for sale. Great cross merchandising even in that era.

I'm always interested in old interior photographs to look at the advertising, the middle photo shows a drugstore with great advertising signs all over and is dated 1915 on the bottom of the photo. The right photograph is a night time drugstore storefront. Night storefront photographs aren't seen very often!

I have one other great drugstore interior, also from around 1915-1925. As soon as I can find it (many photos are stored in boxes & buried in closets) I will add it to this post. This is one of the great classic, posed Soda Fountain photographs.

*PhoP has been applied to these photographs, see explanation above.

WW1 Rainbow Division Trench Sign ~ Original

2010-06-05T11:47:00.000-07:00

As I have mentioned in earlier posts, during the late 1970's into the early 80's I advertised faithfully in local newspapers with display ads that I was buying "Old Stuff". I would list about 20-30 items and always said "and many other things". The ads were effective in those days!

Ads were expensive, but as an avid, very eclectic collector, what could have been more fun than never knowing what was going to turn up in the next call?

Well the "Rainbow" sign hanging on the back wall of my den was a result of receiving a call from that ad. I got a call from a lady that had seen my ad and asked if I could come over, she said she didn't have much but saw in the ad that I bought military items.

I wasn't real enthused about buying military items as most of the calls on military turned out to be standard issue US Patches, a hat etc., but I would never turn down a visit because you never knew what else they may have. I brought my wife with on this visit since I thought it would be a short one, already having been told she had only a few military things.

When we got there, she had this Rainbow sign, a picture of her brother in a WW1 uniform and an old original Rainbow Div. Patch. She told me her brother was a Bugler in the Rainbow Division and that he was very proud of his WW1 service all his life. I looked at the photo she had and sure enough, it was a WW1 photograph of her brother in uniform, holding his bugle with a Rainbow patch on his uniform.

I asked her about the sign and she told me that her brother grabbed this sign that had been in one of the trenches (showing the way to the Rainbow Div. C.P.) when they were pulled out of the field at the end of the war and brought it home with him as a souvenir.

I was simply amazed that someone would want to sell this kind of family history, but she said her brother had passed away several years before and she had no use for these things. So I paid her what she asked for the items (I didn't have the heart to negotiate) besides, I really wanted the sign and the patch. I held onto the patch & sign for a few years and then a friend of a friend that was a military collector (same guy that had bought my N. Starr sword) heard about my sign and the history behind it and bugged me until I sold it to him.

As I remember, I think he & his wife lived in a suburb of St. Paul. After buying my sign, I never heard from him again, until several years later (mid 80's) my wife and I were vacationing in northern Minnesota and had stopped in a small town to browse an antiques shop. Lo & behold, my buyer friend was also in the store browsing. We talked and as it turned out, he and his wife divorced shortly after he had bought my sign and he moved to northern Minnesota. I asked him if he still had the sign and he did.

As I mentioned, I wasn't always enthused about calls to buy military, but I did end up buying some really interesting military items over the years along with the "other" things I was asked to look at. I recall one lady took me into her attic and in a large box was her husbands WW2 uniform (Marine, South Pacific) and below that were numerous large, live shells!

I couldn't believe this lady and her then deceased husband had kept these shells in their attic all those years, I didn't ask how he managed to get that size ordnance home! I bought a few items, also took the shells, very carefully packed them, and immediately took them to a police station on the way home to let them deal with the ordnance.

Miscellaneous:
I just found this photograph in a box I hadn't opened for almost 15 years, didn't even recall that I had it, but was excited to find it and see that it showed the sign. The bookcase was 40" wide, that will give some size comparison to the sign.

In the photograph, to the right, there is a mannequin head with a hat on it. The hat is a German WW1 Green & Red field cap, another purchase made from the ad. On top of the bookcase is an original 1930's "Stork Club" advertising figurine, complete with the glass holder and original stir stick purchased at an estate sale. Alongside the Stork is a WW 1 French helmet. A metal Pepsi-Cola Bottle carrier can also be seen on a shelf. This photo (ca. 1978-80) was taken with a Kodak 110 camera which is why it is not the best photograph.

Alaskan Gold Rush Bearskin Rug

2010-06-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

There isn't any photographs on this blurb, I thought it would be interesting to relate a little about another "interesting buy" I got as a result from advertising in the local papers back "in the days when people trusted people" and they would call and ask you to come over and take a look at what they wanted to sell....

I can't begin to tell how many times I would look at something and decide it wasn't worth buying only to have them ask me to look in their basement or attic to see what else I might find. To say the least, myself and many others were probably the early original "Pickers".

I was doing it because I loved to collect weird, strange & just plain interesting items. Some items I sold again in order to afford to buy more and more for my collection, sound familiar?, sometimes (too often) I sold something that should have been kept, that's a collectors life!

Anyways, I got a call from an older couple around 1980 or so and they wanted to know if I would be interested in buying a bearskin rug....I hadn't ever bought a bearskin rug before and I wasn't sure I was interested but I thought if I didn't take the rug, maybe they had something else so I said I'd come over.

When I got there, they had the rug out, it was very large and it didn't have the head or claws but it was huge, very old and in pretty good shape. I asked where they got it and they told me they had just inherited a large trunk with some other stuff and this was the only thing in the trunk along with a letter talking about the bearskin rug being shipped from Alaska while out there looking for gold during the Gold Rush!

Now this really had my attention so I looked at the letter and it was very old and authentic! I asked how much they wanted for the rug, they said $50, I said I would have to have the letter also to prove it was an authentic Alaskan gold rush bearskin rug.....They agreed that was OK, so I bought the rug. They wanted to also sell the trunk, but that was something I didn't need to haul home and have around the house.

When I got the bearskin home, my wife wasn't nearly as enthused about it as I was, so to keep peace in the family I decided this was something I could part with to buy something else for my ever growing eclectic collection. I placed an ad in the Antique Trader and sold it immediately to a lady, I think she was in Nebraska, can't remember. She too wanted to make sure she got the original letter (I advertised with the letter included) and so there went my one and only authentic Alaskan gold rush bearskin rug!

RPPC General Store Interior ~ Early

2010-06-05T06:56:00.000-07:00

I love early Real Photo Post Cards, especially if they're interior scenes of old Drugstores, General Stores, Saloons, Bars, even of old Business Office's.

RPPC is from Warwick, ND

For me it's really interesting to look at the past and examine the surroundings in the photo to see what else is tied to that era.

Vintage Home Made Car ~ Runabout

2010-06-04T08:22:00.000-07:00

This is another photograph that came out of a family box of papers. This is a fun photograph showing how easy transportation could be made in earlier days.

I would guess this photograph is from the late 1920's to sometime into the 30's.

There is a license on the front but just can't quite see it enough to make it out. The photo was most likely taken in Minnesota.

RPPC Indian Motorcycles

2010-06-04T07:57:00.000-07:00

This postcard came out of our family box of papers so the photograph could be a past relative or relative & friend. I have been trying to make out the license plates on the front, but can't see them clear enough.

Since we're originally from Minnesota seeing snow with motorcycles doesn't come as any surprise. Using a magnifying glass, I can see the "Indian" logo on the motorcycles. Just an interesting & fun postcard.

Studebaker Advertising Sign ~ Original 1890's Wagons & Buggy's

2010-06-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

This is one of the signs I used to own (I sold it about 20 years ago). I received a call one day from a gentleman who asked if I would like to come over and take a look at some "stuff" they had & were thinking about selling...Of course I would!

When I knocked on their door, the man said he also had a sign but he wouldn't take anything less than $75 for it, so I said well, I'd look at the sign.

He brought out a very large ca. 1890's Original "Studebaker Vehicle Works" ~ Studebaker Bros. Manufacturing Works Sign, framed in Oak with "Studebaker" written in gold leaf on the bottom of the frame.

The size as I recall was at least 40"l x 36"h and gorgeous. Unfortunately the middle of the sign was pretty much wiped out from the camera flash (I'm not a photographer and this was taken long before digital camera's came along.) but I think you can see the sign was great. There are no automobiles in the scene, only wagons and buggies & horses, at the time of this sign, that was what Studebaker Bros. was manufacturing.

I didn't have to think very long about buying it and the man said he wanted $75, so I bought it! They also had a huge collection of Aladdin Kerosene Lams on a custom shelf that went around all four walls in their living room.

Since I knew nothing of those lamps, I passed on those...yeah, I know! But I did buy some old political memorabilia they had in an old cigar box. Herbert Hoover Pencil Campaign Pencils with a Bust of Hoover instead of an eraser, An old Roosevelt Sterling Pin (Theodore Roosevelt) and some other odds & ends.

But the prize was that sign, I just happy to have found that old photo now so I could post it.

Want: Braniff International Airways Coffee Cups

2010-05-31T18:14:00.000-07:00

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I'm looking for these cups used by Braniff Airlines. If you have one to sell, please drop me a note.

1920's Le Lido des Champs-Elysees Program

2010-05-31T06:45:00.000-07:00

Original late 1920's Le Lido Cabaret Program & Hand Fan

This Parisian Cabaret was famous for its Venetian Pool and was called "The Beach of Paris"

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Click on thumbnails for larger view

Program Size Folded: 5-5/16"w x 4-5/16"h

This is a Tri-Fold Program

I bought the "Lido Program" and the "Lido Hand Fan" together. The fan measures almost 16" in length and is made of very delicate paper with a wire frame. The entire wire frame is encased in a very thin, gilded gold color paper. As can be seen from the damage on the reverse side of the fan, the fan was pasted into someones scrap book ~ but at least it survived the last 80-90 years.

In author Sisley Huddleston's 1928 book "Bohemian Literary and Social Life in Paris: Salons, Cafes, Studios", Huddleston writes this of the Lido;

"The Lido - a new establishment in the Champs-Elysees-is described as 'the transportation of Venice to the French capital'. I cannot improve on the following account of it which I find in a local newspaper and I quote it with all its naivete "It is an immense marble hall underground, constructed with high Roman pillars which support gorgeously painted ceilings on the lines of those in Venetian palaces.

On entering the place you are first confronted with a square dance floor, which is raised slightly above the ground level. Innumerable small tables are dotted about over an illuminated glass floor. And at the extreme end is a large swimming pool with which even the fastidious Nero could not find fault. It is a most luxurious affair, made in pastel shades of marble glistening through pure green limpid water.

At intervals some twenty fountains are turned on at either side of the pool. These spray, forming a perfect rainbow arch which is reflected in a large mirror at the end of the hall. During supper one is entertained by half a dozen beautiful young dancers, then by a Neapolitan guitar band, which plays its romantic melodies from a small balcony above the swimming bath.

It is frequented at night (until three o'clock in the morning) mostly by the French and Americans. At cocktail time it is packed with every nationality, most of them in bathing suits. The women bathers sport incredible costumes. Their faces are powdered and painted, and one does not splash!.

The water is warm. The bath is also filled with rubber rafts and rubber horses and ducks. It should be added that masculine beauties display their manly forms for our admiration, strutting round in swimming attire."

Sisley Huddleston
1883-1952

Sisley Huddleston was a noted British writer & author who lived in Paris during WW1 as an editor of a British Armed Forces Newspaper and continued to live in Paris and write about Paris until the 1930's.

I have a first edition of this book and if you enjoy reading about the great 1920's era of active Parisian life, this is a great book to find and have for your library.

If you like vintage Parisian cabaret programs, there are two others on the blog: Click to see programs for Folies-Bergere and the Olympia.

Naval "Trident" Patch

2010-05-30T05:37:00.000-07:00

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...................Front.......................................Reverse

Click on images for larger view

A very early Naval Trident Bullion Patch and I have no idea whether or not it is American or foreign. I have had this patch for so long I can't even remember when I bought it!

I've included a photo with a ruler alongside to give an idea of the size. Looking at it, it is definitely a very old patch and the "trident spears" really makes it interesting....maybe an early submarine service patch ? The patch is black, somewhat coarse felt.

I'm hoping some military collector can provide some information on this patch.

Cummins’ Wild West Indian Congress and Rough Riders of the World

2010-04-15T15:39:00.001-07:00

Nice Photograph of the famous

Cummins Indian Congress and Wild West Show

from a Stereograph.

1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition ~ St. Louis Worlds Fair ?

Click to Enlarge & then click new image once again to enlarge further

This stereograph has been in one of my folders forever, so when I recently came across it again I decided it should be added to the blog.

I believe this photo may be from the 1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair. Looking at the photograph, the oyster house restaurant sign seen on upper left appears to be named Pike Oyster House which would have been for The Pike, the name of the street the show was located on.

Also note the sign for Custer Massacre and Battle of Little Bighorn right above the Oyster House sign. During the Fair's run, on Sept. 15 (St. Louis Day) a re-enactment of the battle was held with Col. Cummins playing the part of Custer! The scene also seems to be of a "Fair" event with people strolling in a large open area (The Pike was 90ft wide) and a striped event tent set up at extreme right side of the photograph.

The Cummins Indian Congress and Wild West Show was originally organized and put together by Col. Fred Cummins for the 1901 Pan American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York. After putting it together, he liked the show so much he decided to make it a permanent show and as shown in the photo above, his show was still alive and in progress at the 1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair. Cummins had several years of managing Wild West shows, during 1898/99 he had managed the Trans-Mississippi & International Exposition held in Omaha, Nebraska.

The entrance to the Wild West Indian Congress show was on The Pike (the main 90ft wide thoroughfare with attractions lining both sides). The actual performance area however was actually located off the official fairgrounds which has given historians a reason to think his show was a late entry into the Exposition ~ Below is a photo of The Pike (Photo Credit: St. Louis Worlds Fair Society)

The Cummins show was not a small endeavour! Cummins had assembled over 1000 individuals (Performers, Native americans, Cossacks, Cavalry etc.) to participate in this show.

Of the native americans he assembled, there were 51 tribes represented and an incredible group of 28 famous Indian Chiefs: Geronimo, Joseph, Wolf Robe, Calico, Red Thunder, Hard Heart, Rocky Bear, Lone Wolf, Seven Rabitts, Black Horse, Flat Iron, Black Bird, Long, Bull, Painted Horse, Henry Standing Bear, Red Shirt, Two Strikes, Last Horse, Eagle Horse, Black Heart, Red Star, Lone Star, Afraid of Bear, Jack Red Cloud (Son of Red Cloud), American Horse, No Neck, WM. Sitting Bull, Hollow Horn Bear.

Jack Red Cloud and American Horse were veterans of the Battle of the Little Bighorn and within months after the close of the Exposition, Geronimo, American Horse and Hollow Horn Bear rode in Teddy Roosevelt's 1905 Presidential Inauguration Parade. After the tragic Battle of Wounded Knee, American Horse traveled to Washington and protested to the government against the Wounded Knee tragedy. The Cummins Wild West Show also had star performers such as a very young Will Rogers (performing under a stage name at that time) and a future world champion roper, Be Ho Gray.

The shows run was anything but routine: At the end of one performance, Col. Zack Mulhall and one of his assistants Frank Reed (shows boss hostler) got into an argument with the result that Mulhall shot Reed twice ~ but only wounded him.

Mulhall, by accident, also shot and permanently disabled an 18 year old St. Louis teenage boy and another show employee in the stomach when he tried to stop the ruckus. (* Zack Mulhall had an 80,000 acre ranch in Oklahoma Indian Territory which had spawned off two other famous Wild West Shows: Miller Bros. 101 ranch & Pawnee Bills Wild West Show).

Mulhall was arrested but soon released on bail, but Exposition Management refused to allow Mulhall to enter onto the Fairgrounds again, so Mulhall set up his own show just blocks away from the Exposition Fairgrounds called it Col. Mulhalls Congress of Rough Riders and Ropers. At this same time, the 750 indians in the show, led by Geronimo, had displayed their unhappiness with Mulhall with the result that the Cowboys supposedly snapped their revolvers at the indians. (Not wise if that in fact happened!)

Many of the cowboys left the Cummins show to perform with Mulhall, Will Rogers managed to perform with both. Within months, Mulhall seems to have smoothed over his problems between he and Geronimo as Geronimo had decided to appear as a special guest in Mulhalls show.

What a Show ~ Meet me in St. Louis!

Navajo Gallup Mat, Navajo Rug

2010-04-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

A nice, small ca. 1930's-40's Navajo Gallup Mat. These small mats were made by Navajos and sold in and around the Gallup, New Mexico area to tourists passing through, hence the moniker "Gallup Mat".

Most tourists were on the trains going to and coming from LA, so most of the sales were made in the area of the Railroad Station. This mat is 15" wide x 34" long. The overall condition is excellent except for some minor soiling on the reverse side which can be easily cleaned.

The mat is all wool and does not have the cotton string wrap found in many Gallup mats. One end has very short tassels and on the opposite end has tied corner tassels, proper for a authentic Gallup Mat. As seen, the colors are still vibrant and strong. If you can't afford a large Navajo Rug, this is a great authentic piece to have.

I purchased this at an estate sale many years ago and recall that I paid only $2 for it. At the time I had no idea what it was except that it looked good and for $2 how can anyone go wrong? So read up on authentic native American rugs & textiles before you go out and start to buy anything expensive.

Believe it or not, there are some dealers out there that have absolutely no idea of what they are selling so beware! Just a quick tip ~ If the rug you are considering has tassels, it is a 99% sure thing it is not an authentic Navajo Rug.

If it has Tassels on only one end, it may be a Germantown era rug but don't count on it!

Larger Germantown rugs are very scarce!

Navajo Rugs are woven with a continuous wrap yarn so their rugs do not have tassels ~

Mexico, Afghanistan, India etc. all produce 1,000's of hand woven rugs that are copies of real American Navajo rugs. They simply loop over their "wrap" back into the weave and presto, it looks like an authentic Navajo rug without a tassel!

If you're interested in collecting, buy from a highly respected dealer or study and learn how to identify the real rugs from the fakes. There is tons of information on the internet and easy to find.

1940 Chev Color Video, '67 GTO Convert, '66 Vette 427

2010-04-10T12:51:00.000-07:00

So now I'm going to show a little age! No ~ this is not a Hot Rod Site or Car Site etc...But being that my blog is of a historical & collectible genre, a few of the cars I used to own are OK to put here on the blog, especially since most guys would die to own at least two of them today and the Chev. is a collector car for some as well!

Back in 1961 I bought my first car which happened to be a 1940 Chev. Master Sedan and I paid a whopping $25 for it. The heater didn't work, which in Minnesota, especially in January made for some really bone numbing rides & it didn't have turn signals, which meant an often open window for hand signals (scraping the inside of the windows to keep them clear of frost was a chore my buddies gladly did to make sure we didn't drive off the road)! Of course, getting frostbitten while driving was a side benefit! Bob & Gare you do remember right?

While searching for something totally unrelated on YouTube, I found this great original 1940 Chevrolet Advertisement Video IN COLOR! So here is a carbon copy of my very first car. Unreal to find this ad!

The photos below don't really need anything said about them to most guys but I bought this "Goat" right off the showroom floor in 1967 and drove it home that same day. It was a 1967 Burgundy Convertible, 4 Speed, Black Interior, Black Top and had the Firestone Redline Tires! I added the chrome wheels and chrome spinners. After I had put about 25,000 miles on the car, I received a recall notice from Firestone about a defect in the tires so I brought it in and they put on a brand new set of tires ~ "All Right!"

My "Crusin" buddy Jerry, had a '67 Dark Green 442 Convert, another friend also had a '67 GTO except it was a hardtop. We all cruised a street named "Lake Street" in Minneapolis. Have a lot of stories about that street, but that's for a different forum ~

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The 'Vette below was my 1966-427 4 Speed, Burgundy Roadster, Black Top & Interior. I was just backing out of the driveway giving my grandmother a "fun ride" She liked it! This had solid lifters and headers on this monster, I couldn't bring it into a car wash - Pipes sat too low, and it really had an attitude! It not only growled, it snarled! Fun cars to have owned. Wish I still had them!

Pennsylvania Central Airlines, PCA, 1930's Airline Equipment

2010-04-08T06:56:00.001-07:00

I purchased this at a garage sale & paid $10 for it. This is a great early commercial airliner item! This thermos is from the famous Pennsylvania Central Airlines (PCA), before it became "Capital Airlines" and was used in DC3's back in the 30's & 40's and perhaps even later.

I was surprised to find an American Airlines Logo Stamp on the very top of the unit. I would guess that when PCA/Capital sold off some of their equipment, American purchased some planes (equipped) and then re-stamped and added their own Logo as well. They couldn't remove the PCA logo on this thermos as it is embellished into the steel casing.

Click

I have seen a few of these thermoses come up on the internet for sale but I think some of these sellers don't have any idea of what they have. They know it is a thermos & most have airline markings, but early airliner equipment (equipment used inside an airliner) is like finding gold, especially when it is connected to in-flight passenger comfort and stewardesses!

The thermos is shown in its proper position as the thermoses were placed in a rack in the airliner galley in an inverted position, then all the stewardess or steward had to do was turn the valve on the bottom to pour ~ ie; gravity! This thermos has a great PCA logo on its side (see photo's). I also have (3) same vintage baggage labels from PCA and have included two of them here also. Thermos is 17-1/2"h x 4-1/2" diameter and is a Stanley Super Vac.

Below the following photographs are two videos. The left video is of an "American Airlines" DC3 Flagship Starting engines, Taxing & Takeoff. The second video is of a DC3 taking off. This ship is still in passenger service! Inside would have been a rack of thermoses filled with coffee & water for passengers. Enjoy a trip in2past!

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Art Deco Pharmacy Globe, 1930's Pharmacy Globe

2010-04-07T16:39:00.000-07:00

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Great ca. 1930's Art Deco Pharmacy Display Globe
23"H & 10"W (widest part of globe), Top is 6" L

I was driving down a street one day (late 70's) and saw a handmade "Estate Sale" sign which immediately told me that the sale was being conducted privately and not through a Estate Sale Company. In those long ago days, a sign like that meant there could be some great buys to be made, unlike today with the internet & all the shows on Cable talking about and showing every type of collectible and antique and their presumed values.

Anyways, I arrived at the sale and turns out the couple had owned a drugstore from the the 30's -50's and had saved quite a bit of stuff in their basement. I bought two of these globes for $10 each, a terrific Cast Iron Painted Golfer Statue from the 20's or 30's among numerous other items. Since I had two of these globes, I sold one immediately.

These display globes were actually advertising items, much like (3) Pawn Balls) signified a Pawn Shop, a globe like this signified a professional pharmacist. The bottom of the globe would be filled with colored water and the topper would be filled with another color, or the same color, whatever the pharmacist liked. Notice the rubber stopper in the base of the topper to keep the colored water inside the top.

These globes came in many different sizes and shapes with differing bases. Globes like these can be expensive so always look carefully at what you are buying!

I also purchased around the same time (not at that sale) a fabulously decorated late 1800's Porcelain Pharmacy Jar with a footed base and a gold painted round top on the porcelain lid. The entire piece was beautiful and in mint condition! I bought this treasure at a garage sale from a lady that had it filled with small bars of wrapped, "hotel soap" that they had kept from their vacations and was asking $4 for all the soap. So I calmly asked her if $4 included the container they were in and she said "of course" sounding like I had asked a really silly question! What would anyone do but pay her the full price right? Quickly! That was just an outstanding item....but I sold that to an advanced Pharmacy Memorabilia collector ~ I should have kept it!

I wish I had taken photographs back in those days, this was back in camera film days and taking a lot of pictures meant spending a lot of money, so photographs weren't taken very often ~

WW1 Posters

2010-04-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

More of the collection of WW1 Posters that I purchased approximately 20-25 years ago. I had many more but sold them over the years ~ See previous Post with two H.C. Christy Posters.
Collecting WW1 Posters is a great area to collect as there is not only US Posters but Posters from France, Spain, England, Belgium, Germany, Austria etc. I may have a couple more still tucked away, if I come across, I will post separate.

For the most part, WW1 posters probably represents one of the greatest buys in original posters that still remains available for the average collector. Price of WW1 posters has and continues to bounce around and with some diligence in your hunt, knowledge of what you are buying etc. you can really end up having an outstanding collection without breaking the family bank! I like all types of posters with the exception of movie posters after 1960.

Start a WW1 Poster collection and have fun in your hunt, there are still tremendous buys out there, especially with the internet! I have seen a poster on a site for over $300, I saw the same poster on another site for less than $100. The second site didn't specialize in posters, they just wanted to sell it!

"For Home and Country" - Artist: Alfred E. Orr, Date: 1918, Size: 30"x40" ~ This poster was issued in two sizes; 20"x30" & 30"x40-1/2". The doughboy is shown home with his family and has his German helmet souvenir. Victory loans were to continue paying for American occupation forces after the armistice was signed and to pay off left over war debt. Posters were very effective in raising these funds even though the war was over.

"Joan of Arc" - Artist: Haskell Coffin, Date: 1918, Size: 20"x30" ~ This poster encouraged women to actively participate in saving America by buying war bonds. The message was pretty clear, Joan of Arc saved France by being a strong woman & therefore American women could save America! The artwork is gorgeous! This poster also was issued in two sizes. During the war, over one billion dollars was raised by the sale of thrift stamps and war savings stamps bought primarily by women and children. Coffin became one of the many illustrators who created a type of girl, the "Coffin girl" was just as well known in its time as the "Christy" or "Gibson" girl. Before his poster work, Coffin was a well known naval and sea illustrator. This poster is probably his best known!

"Over the Top For You" - Artist: Sidney H. Riesenberg, Date: 1918, Size: 20"x30" ~ This poster has strong patriotic appeal with the doughboy carrying a vivid and visually predominant red, white & blue American flag. Sidney H. Riesenberg, became a major illustrator and a painter doing covers and work for Harpers, Scribners, Collier's and the Saturday Evening Post. Riesenberg reached his peak as an illustrator during WW I. This particular poster has sold in auction for over $1200 in the past.

"Come On!" - Artist: Walter Whitehead, Dated: 1918 Size: 20"x30" ~ This poster is recognized as perhaps one of the more realistic war bond posters as it shows a tough American doughboy standing over his fallen enemy with his Picklehauben helmet laying alongside him.

"And They Thought We Couldn't Fight" - Artist: Clyde Forsythe, Size: 31-3/4" x 41-1/2", Printed: Ketterlinus, Philadelphia. ~ The artist (Clyde Forsythe) certainly was not concerned about his name appearing on this poster as it very nearly disappears into the background at the lower right corner.

This poster raised strong emotions in Americans during WW1 that even though America was then not recognized as a major world power,
Americans knew they could fight and win! The poster shows a doughboy standing in "no-mans land" after a battle, holding three German Picklehauben spiked helmets.

Bandaged with blood showing, he was in the fight to win! Being an untested ally was a very real question and issue about America in WW1. France and England wanted American soldiers to be split up and used as replacements in their own armies, which meant that American soldiers would be wounded and die under another Country's flag!

After being in battle for a short time with American soldiers being used as replacements, General "Black Jack" Pershing refused to continue to allow American soldiers to be split up and used as replacements! Pershing firmly held his ground against France & England and insisted that American soldiers fight only under an American command and under the American flag! History was soon made, American soldiers could and would fight ferociously to win!

"Remember!" - Artist: Anon, Date: 1917, Size: 20"x30" Printed: Heywood Strasser & Voight - This poster is reminding everyone, including immigrants, to remember that the American flag means freedom and to support buying war bonds. American ethnic groups often sought to prove their patriotism. This poster is urging immigrants to buy U.S. Government Bonds.

"Remember Belgium" - Artist: Ellsworth Young, Date: 1918, Size: 20"x30", Printed by: THE UNITED STATES PRTG & LITH CO NY, Graphic scene shows an obvious depiction of a German soldier (Picklehaube helmet) dragging his young captive girl through burning ruins to somewhere! This scene was sure to arouse unbridled anger in America against Germany, thus raising a substantial amount of money in war bonds. The simple black images against a flaming background is visually very strong!

"They Kept The Sea Lanes Open" - Artist: L.A.Shafer; Date: 1919, Designed & Engraved by the W.F. Powers Co., Litho, NY., Poster also marked: 6-C Niagra Litho Co. Buffalo - New York, Size: 39"x29" ~ This poster is becoming very scarce as not only is it one of the larger posters, but the artwork & coloring is extremely dramatic!

Just looking at the poster you can almost feel the tension and the spray from the sea! The scene is self explanatory, a German U-boat was about to attack a ship, two American destroyers attacked the submarine and severely damaged it. A boat is being lowered from one of the destroyers to rescue the German survivors off the rapidly sinking submarine. WW1 poster collectors should try to have one of these posters in their collection, they are rapidly disappearing.

"Fourth Victory Loan" - Artist: J. Scott Williams, Date: 1918, Size: 36"x56" ~ Dramatic and very scarce large format Liberty Loan poster, powerful patriotic imagery.

One of the most brilliantly colored of American WWI posters, a showpiece in any collection. This poster is rapidly disappearing into permanent collections! When looked at in person, the poster is simply "Powerful!".

The only problem with having a poster this large is that it is very hard to display since it takes up a lot of space on the wall. I keep this poster tucked away behind a large cabinet and bring out only to show it off.

Piperazine Rhuematism and Grout Water, Piperazine, Lehn & Fink

2010-03-31T10:51:00.000-07:00

A 1906 bottle of "PIPERAZINE ~ Rhuematism and Grout Water" with its original outside wrapping. The bottle is still a little over 1/2 filled and as can be seen, the original bottle label is as clean and bright as the day it was put on the bottle since the outside wrap probably has never been removed since 1906.

The bottle has a Front and Back label so I took (3) photos of each to clearly show what is on the label.

I purchased this from a friend around 1985 just because it still had it's outside wrapping paper intact! The paper wrapping is extremely brittle so I have left it alone since I bought it. For these pictures I decided to remove the outside paper wrapper and while some damage occurred to the wrapper, it wasn't much.

Inside the wrapper and wrapped around the bottle was a flyer about Piperazine, which is shown below.

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Four page flyer extolling benefits of using Piperazine was wrapped around bottle inside the wrapper.

Custer's Last Charge, Custer Sheet Music

2010-03-28T15:07:00.000-07:00

I purchased "Custer's Last Charge" Sheet Music probably 20 years ago. The condition is outstanding, but I also paid a lot for this sheet music, in fact, I paid way too much for it as it has just now reached the value that I paid so long ago.

Anyways, as long as I had just posted the 101 Ranch Sheet music I thought I would stay in the same theme and post the Custer Sheet Music. I appeared on PBS Antiques Roadshow with another Custer item which I will be posting at some point in the future (this is not that item).

I have a few other pieces of sheet music which I may post in the future (original early "Albert Varga" Ziegfeld Follies Sheet Music - gorgeous artwork!). Artwork on this Custer Cover is very dramatic as is most of E.T Paull Sheet Music Covers.

Listen to "Custer's Last Charge" below ~

101 Ranch Sheet Music, Miller Bros' 101 Ranch, 1908 Miller Bros 101 Ranch Sheet Music

2010-03-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

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This 1908 Sheet Music states that this is a "Special Song Album and Souvenir Miller Brothers 101-Ranch Wild West Shows" which is stretch! The only Wild West Souvenir is the the cover, everything else inside is totally non-related to the Miller Brothers Ranch Wild West Show. See Miller Bros' 101 Wild West Program ~

I reduced the cover but lost a small portion at top and the very bottom which has Geronimo's name so I scanned just the bottom portion enough to catch his name and included this alongside the cover.

This sheet music is a very collectible item from the 101 Ranch Show and is currently being reproduced and sold. If you are beginning to collect 101 Ranch, be sure you know what you are purchasing!

I purchased this sheet music on the second day of an estate sale at the same time I purchased the Teddy Roosevelt photograph (also on this blog). I remember I only paid $0.25 for this as well, in those great days of the late 70's and 80's, a lot of great items could be bought for literally a song!

Evelyn Nesbit, Evelyn Nesbit Postcard, Stanford White, Harry Thaw

2010-03-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

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I purchased these postcards quite a long time ago from my good friend Dan. These are original Evelyn Nesbit Postcards and are copyrighted 1902 & hand titled. Evelyn was just seventeen in 1902 but was already having a major impact on the art & theater world as well as suitors.

I won't try to add anything more to what has already been written about Evelyn Nesbit by historians that have studied her and written exhaustively about her, so click here to go to Wikipedia on Evelyn Nesbit, I think you will enjoy reading about her.

There has also been numerous articles and books written about her, so enjoy discovering Evelyn. By the way, if you decide to collect about her, be very careful as reproductions of these original postcards abound and anyone can be easily taken!

Below are short YouTube videos on Evelyn Nesbit & if interested an Amazon Book on Evelyn Nesbit.

Nouveau Paris Monumental Map ~ Part 2

2010-03-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

Map is Part 2 of the Nouveau Paris Monumental Post below ~

For ease of displaying the maps I decided to keep the maps separate from the main post. Go to the Post directly below for information concerning this photograph of the Paris Map and Post.

Click on photos to enlarge

Map Size: 22"h x 29-3/4"l

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Nouveau Paris Monumental, Vintage Paris Map, Garnier Freres

2010-03-13T10:56:00.000-08:00

This is a nice early Ca. 1900 hard cover french book of Monuments in Paris. The Editeur is Garnier-Freres. Booklet is 11 pages, 6"h x 4-1/4"w. String bound.

The great thing about this little booklet is the incredible map that is folded and attached to the inside back cover (See map in the separate Post directly above) The map is a "Color" map of Paris showing all the Monuments, Attractions, Librairies, Museums etc., their locations and the roads to find them.

When these maps come up for sale by map sellers, they generally sell for quite a bit of money. Most sellers are good and sell the book along with the map so the historic integrity of the Booklet remains intact.

Below is a YouTube video of 1900 Paris, mostly about the Exposition but the video really provides the flavor of early Paris. Thomas Edison was at the Exposition and he made this film on his own equipment.
Enjoy!

A turn of Century Parisian Magazine. Men look disapprovingly at a young lady smoking. Interesting reaction considering the exotic nightlife of early Paris! Click Picture for large view.

SECRET AGENT X-9, Dashiell Hammett, Alex Raymond

2010-03-12T14:47:00.000-08:00

I purchased this little gem about 15-20 years ago in one of those bookshops where you can trade in your old book or sell it if you want and then buy another. I spotted this in their case and they had a price tag of $50 on it.
At the time, I didn't know that much about the comic strip X-9 but I knew who Dashiell Hammett and Alex Raymond were, so I quickly bought it!
This is book No. 2, dated 1934, Published in Philadelphia by the David McKay Company, Washington Square. Illustrations are by Alex Raymond.
Check out Secret Agent X-9 Toonopedia for more information and the audio biography of Dashiell Hammett below on this post.

I bought several books at that bookstore, one time I walked in and on a bottom shelf, there had 6-Shirley Temple Coloring Books from the 1930's that had an incredible picture of ST on the cover and those books were in like brand new condition. They had a price tag of $3 each on those books...yes, I bought those very quickly also!

Over the next couple of years I purchased quite a few books from them but then they started educating themselves and prices started going up. As far as I know that store is still there and does a thriving business. Those were the good old days!

Here is a short audio biography about Samuel Dashiell Hammet. Click > to play.

WW1 French Print, WW1 Signed French Print

2010-03-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

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French print I purchased in an apartment sale some years ago. I recall I paid $25 for it which I thought at the time to be a little high, but I bought it anyways. The overall frame size is 22" x 29". The print is "print signed" and is also hand signed and numbered. Copyright is 1918 by A. Le Prince, a leading french art publisher during that era. There is a slight blemish on the print which is just in front of the soldiers knee.

The faces in this print show such character and emotion and notice the only hint of color in the picture is the french tri-color flag, just makes the picture great! Click on pictures for enlarged views.

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I don't have the artists information but will add soon. If anyone has information about this artist, please email/sign up on blog and help fill-in some missing information.

Early Telephone System Photo, Telephone System Window Display Photo, Minneapolis Dry Goods Co. Phone System Photo

2010-03-09T16:23:00.001-08:00

This is an original photograph taken by C.J. Hibbard Photographer, Ca. 1910, the photograph is approx. 7-3/4" x 9-3/4" & is mounted on original board.

Notice on the left-hand side, in the glass window reflection, there is a horse-drawn delivery wagon with printing on its side. Click photo for larger view.

This window display for the Minneapolis Dry Goods Co. (501 Nicollet Ave.) displaying a number of telephones and Operators was to convince their customers of the simplicity to use telephones to call in their orders.

One of the signs in the background (just to the right of the Northwestern Telephone Exchange Co. sign) says: Street Cars are Quick, Autos are Quicker, The Phone is Instantaneous.

Other smaller signs in the front say: Hello? Yes This Is The Minneapolis Dry Goods Company, All Lines Lead To The Minneapolis Dry Goods Company, Every Section Is Connected For Your Convenience, The Phone Connects Every Department Into Your Home, For Prompt Efficient Service Phone Your Orders.

Interesting that even in this early era, a store was promoting the use of modern technology to increase their orders. Now, approximately 100 years later, we are promoting using technology once again with the Internet to increase sales! Below is a great early video from YouTube on early telephone operators ~ Enjoy!

WW2 Safe Conduct Pass, Normandy Invasion

2010-03-09T08:19:00.000-08:00

This is a "Safe Conduct" pass that was dropped from allied aircraft behind the German lines during WWII. This pass was intended to persuade German Soldiers to surrender to any allied soldier and they would be guaranteed safe transport to captivity.

I purchased this probably 25-30 years ago. The pass has obviously seen use & I would guess that either an American soldier found it lying on the ground and kept it as a souvenir, or it was taken from a German soldier after his surrender & then kept as a souvenir.

Below are actual radio broadcast recordings made on D-Day. Be prepared to spend some time listening as the total length is around 10 hours.

Stagecoach Mary, Black Mary, Mary Fields, Wells Fargo Stagecoach Driver

2010-03-08T13:23:00.000-08:00

A blog visitor (Erich Martin Hicks) emailed me information about a black lady that worked for Wells Fargo delivering Mail for 8 years in Central Montana. Her name was Mary Fields and she lived from 1832 to 1914, this is really an interesting story, one that should be told which is exactly what Mr. Hicks is doing, he is developing a movie about "Stagecoach Mary". I "borrowed" a photograph from their site about Mary.

Below is a website address where more information can be found on Mary, I visited it and am amazed I never heard about her before, especially being interested in the West all my life. I have heard and read of the heroic, unsung and mostly unknown exploits of the Buffalo Soldiers, but I have never heard of Stagecoach Mary.

www.stagecoachmary.net/STAGECOACH_MARY/STAGECOACH_MARY.html

Anyone interested in the reality of the early west needs to visit this website and learn more about this legendary Wells Fargo Driver. Erich Martin Hicks also wrote a book about Buffalo soldiers, titled "Rescue at Pine Ridge" (also in film development). This book can be purchased by clicking on this link ~ Rescue at Pine Ridge: Based on a True American Story

I would suggest that perhaps Wells Fargo be contacted to see if there is Corporate level interest in assisting to produce the story of Mary. If not, maybe Montana would or a Government Grant might be pursued.

Thanks to Mr. Hicks for the great information about Mary and best wishes on all your projects. A short video about the book "Rescue at Pine Ridge" from Youtube is below.

1899 Olympia Cabaret Program, Cabaret Program, Paris Cabaret Program

2010-03-07T16:36:00.000-08:00

Original July 8, 1899 Program from Parisian Cabaret/Nightclub "Olympia" ~ This is a Folded 3-Part Program. The length is 14-1/4" and the height was approximately 10". Since the program was trimmed sometime during the last 111 years, this is an approximate height.

I purchased this program about 25 years ago at a major antique show in Minneapolis for $9. I went into a booth and found a stack of miscellaneous papers, sheet music etc., if you're a collector and hunt, you know the type of stack I'm describing! I didn't expect to find anything but never let that thought get in the way of your hunt...Always check, you never know - right?

Scanned images explanation; This is a larger program that does not fit my standard size scanner & my scanner being of a older model also does not have a "Stitch" mode so I placed the program digitally back together here, doesn't look too bad!

Also, so I wouldn't damage the 111 year old program any further, I color photocopied the program and then scanned the copy. Every time one of these vintage programs are opened/closed, it weakens the crease joint until the program separates ~ that is really not good! Also, the colors are much better than shown here although the program does have a "Soft" appearance compared to posters of the era. There are also programs for the Folies-Bergere and the Club Le Lido on this blog.

Anyways, this program was in that stack and for that price, I couldn't pass it up, even if it was cut off on top and bottom. I figured that someone in this great programs past decided to put it into a frame, and being of an economical mindset, also decided to put it into a frame they already had but it didn't fit...What to do? cut it off of course!...It pains me to even think of what they unknowingly did, but that's the way hunting & collecting is ~ hit or miss.

The Olympia was one of the top Paris Clubs in the 1890's, right up there with the Moulin Rouge, although not nearly as well known here in the US.

Beech-Nut Circus Bus, Beech-Nut Circus

2010-03-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

I'm not a postcard collector (although I do have a few), but I bought this postcard many years ago just because it is a fun topic and I didn't know anything about the "Beech-Nut Circus Bus", this was back before the internet days!

The backside of the postcard states "The Beech-Nut Circus, 26-1/2 ft. long, 9 ft. high, 84" wide and contains a parade of 15 "floats" or displays and 3-Rings with performing acrobats, clowns, horses, elephants and other animals, all electrically operated".

The Circus is inside the bus and is viewed through the 3-Windows on the sides of the bus. The "Circus" moved and can be seen in the video below, watch carefully at the end, the camera moves away from the bus just enough so that the circus can be seen moving inside the bus.

During the 1930's the Beech-Nut Company had 6-Circus Buses traveling around the United States like in the above Post Card. Several of the buses were displayed at the 1939 New York Worlds Fair, the last remaining bus is owned by the New York State Museum.

I ran across this postcard again when I decided to post the Norman Rockwell postcard, of course then I had to go to one of the truly great sites (youtube.com) to see if there was anything available on this bus....Amazingly there was! So I'm posting that video below. Back in 1938 someone took 8mm video of this bus and 70 some years later, it is now historically available for everyone to view...Just have to love YouTube! View the bus video below:

Norman Rockwell Postcard, Norman Rockwell WW1 Postcard

2010-03-07T06:56:00.001-08:00

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.................................Click on images for larger view

Great early Postcard featuring Norman Rockwells Life Magazine Cover from WW1. This postcard as can be seen was sold to raise money for french children that lost their fathers in WW1.

This postcard has a Dec. 20, 1918 date on the reverse side. Also has a nice WW1 Red Cross seal affixed. I have numerous large folio WW1 books that were published during WW1 and I recall seeing a WW1 Poster by Norman Rockwell reprinted in one of the books. I'm going to see if I can locate that book with the poster as it is a very early NR work and also period Poster.

Catalogue Illustre' du SALON DE 1902, Ludovic Bashet, Societe Des Artistes Francais

2010-03-02T17:02:00.000-08:00

Rare & Collectible softcover booklet published by Ludovic BASCHET, Editeur, Paris.

A booklet by the "SOCIETE DES ARTISTES FRANCAIS".
An Illustrated Catalog of Painting and Sculpture Exhibition of the great palace of 1 May 1902.

Very loose binding, small lower left cover chip, first upper right 3 page corners are chipped. There are also some loose pages and a "bent over creased page".

I purchased this booklet at an estate sale long ago. These booklets are now found mostly in institutional libraries..

Front & Back Covers

Louisville Salvage Corp, Salvage Corps ~ 1920's Photograph

2010-02-24T16:39:00.001-08:00

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............................Overall Board size ~ 12"h x 14" l., Photograph size: 7-1/2"h x9-1/2"l
...........................The Louisville Salvage Corp came into existence on April 14, 1888.

I purchased this photograph at a flea market about 15 years ago. I overpaid, but I really love old photographs as they are a true link to the past.

In 1941 After 53 years of service with the Louisville Fire Department, The Department's unofficial sidekick, the Salvage Corps, was disbanded. Its job had been to accompany the fire engines to the scene of the call and protect the fire-struck, victim's belongings with tarpaulins.

It is really surprising there is not more information out there on this peculiar commercial activity. These Salvage Corp groups operated almost as a fire department but yet were not fire departments.

Salvage Corps from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Salvage Corps came into existence in the 19th Century. With the growth of cities, fires and insurance, underwriters in several cities established fire fighting services to reduce losses. As municipal fire brigades became more competent in the 20th century, the private fire companies cut back their services and emphasised salvaging property after the regular firemen had done their job. The corps are described in "WHILE THE FLAMES RAGED", By Emmons E. Douglass. Most were disbanded in the late 20th century.

Another great book published on The Salvage Corps is: "Bucket brigade to flying squadron: fire fighting past and present", by Herbert Theodore Jenness. This book is out of print but has some great photographs if you can find a copy.

International Aviation Show, New York Aviation Show, 1st International Aviation Show

2010-02-18T15:50:00.000-08:00

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..........................Program Size : 5-1/2" x 8-1/2"

I purchased this great early Aviation Program in a backyard sale, stuffed into a box full of papers, fortunately it was laying flat in a stack (in a box) and the program is in pristine condition!

I have an aversion and angst about pulling apart books, magazines etc for covers or parts so I had the entire program framed and then I listed on the backside of the frame the attending aviation manufacturers.

The show was held from Dec.31,1910 -Jan.7,1911. The program was published by John T. Beach and is 30 pages. It is interesting to see that the 11th Annual International Automobile Show was the main feature and almost as a "by the way" the 1st International Aviation Show was included on the cover as well. As can be seen, the show was held at the Grand Central Palace in New York. The Aeroplane Exhibitors were assigned to set up on the balcony!

.....Here is a list of Aeroplane Exhibitors:
......T.T.Lovelace, NY
......Moisant-Bleriot
......Stebbins-Geynet Aeroplane Co., Norwich, Conn.
......Sabin-Tickell
......Van Anden, NY
......C&A Witteman, NY
......Walden-Dyott Co., NY
......The Wright Co., Dayton, Ohio
......Burgess Co. & Curtis-Marblehead, MASS.
......Glenn H. Curtis, Hammondsport, NY
......Demoiselle (Which was flown by Roland Garros)
......Gnome Motor Co.
......Rudelph Kubelka, Brooklyn, NY

Early Automobile enthusiasts will probably wonder why I didn't include any information on the Auto Show.....well, because by this date, automobiles were becoming widely accepted as can be seen by the fact that this was the 11th Annual International Auto show, whereas Aviation was still in it's infancy. There were Aviation shows held in Europe prior to this show, however according to the show organizers, this was the 1st Annual International Aviation Show held in the United States.

The cover art was done by PAL (Jean de Palealogue 1860-1942) a well known poster artist. PAL worked in England briefly and then worked in Paris between 1893-1900 then spent the rest of his life in the United States working as a portrait painter, Illustrator, Film Designer & Cartoon Animator. For this program, PAL'S poster artististry is apparent, this cover is identical to a large format poster.

Here is a great site showing Glenn H. Curtiss in 1910 just 5 months before the 1st International Aviation Show in New York, flying in a Pulitzer contest to win $10,000 ~ He won! His plane was considered as one of the most advanced in the world. http://myinwood.net/inwood-in-aviation-history/

1910 & 1911 actual video clips of Aeroplanes in Europe ~ Fun!

If you like the music "Come Josephine in My Flying Machine, I have a clip of it from an actual 1911 Edison Cylinder Amazon on the right sidebar. The entire song mp3 can also be purchased and downloaded there for less than a dollar if interested...........

1950's Battery Fire Jeep

2010-02-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

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..............................................Not a major item, but it is a fun one.

I purchased this from a lady at a garage sale about 20+ years ago who told me her father wanted a boy, so he went out and bought all kinds of toys....but turns out they had a girl ~ her!, her father just stored this on their closet shelf for all those years.

Anyways, she had another great old Tin Toy so I bought both because they were both in outstanding condition. Except for some scuffing on the back where the trademark is, this toy is a solid 10! The scuffing really looks worse on a macro picture than in real life though. I sold the other toy and kept this one. It is a "Crazy" Fire Jeep that goes all around.

Steamship Calendar, S.S.Deutshland, Hamburg-American

2010-02-17T17:00:00.001-08:00

Ship on Calendar is "New Twin-Screw S.S Deutshland, 16,000 Tons, 37,000HP and 666.5Ft"
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I purchased this great 1903 Hamburg-American Line Calendar at a weekly "Sunday Morning" flea market put on by the local Lions. I wasn't the earliest, in fact as I recall it was around 8:AM when I saw this and my heart started pumping.

I asked the cost & I was shocked! the guy said $3....What can a person say to a price like that except to say Ok & pay! Calendar Size: 11" x 14" ~ The Calendar isn't clipped at the corners, that's just the matting cut to clean up some chipped corners on the calendar.

Now to be fair, this was about 20 years ago but that was also during the crazy days of antiques and collectibles when prices were escalating by the day, if not by the hour!

It seemed like in those days if a person didn't know what the value was, they just put an insanely high price on what they had. So I feel that I had been extraordinarily lucky to have pounced on numerous items at a decent price!

Queen Elizabeth & Queen Mary Ships Print, 1948 Ships Print

2010-02-17T12:42:00.001-08:00

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Size: 27"h x 37-1/2"l ~
I purchased this print around 6:30AM at a huge flea market (The Gold Rush) in Rochester, Minnesota several years ago. I saw it hanging from a wire & rope "far" back into their space, so to me it didn't look like the sellers valued this real prize much judging by where they put it! So I asked the "whats the best price you can do on that" question and expected to hear the "real" price. I would typically expect a high price and then do some pushing & shoving between us on the price ~ but when the guy said $5, I just didn't have the heart to push for any better price on it......I had the $5 out of my pocket so fast!!! The frame is original.

I don't always have the common sense to leave well enough alone and keep what I bought. Many years ago, I had the great luck to purchase a very large Travel Agency Tin Litho of the "Imperator" complete with original Frame Brass Tag. I had another collector over to the house one night and when he saw it he made an offer I just could not refuse. I also had another great ship litho & also sold that to another collector....Ever wonder why you did what you did?

There is a huge amount of RMS Queen Mary & RMS Queen Elizabeth information on the internet, far more than what I could ever say here, so again I won't even try to expound on the history of the ships. I can easily say they were the true Queens of the Cunard Line & if you love big ships, these are worth reading about and collecting.

TWA Constellation Photograph, Constellation In Flight , TWA Photograph

2010-02-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

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This is an original & rare early TWA photograph in which TWA is obviously showing off their beautiful "Constellation"! Notice the "round porthole" windows. As I understand, round windows were only used in the earliest models of the Constellation which means this would be a very early Constellation photograph. On the bottom photo, the planes number can be clearly seen and made out. Would be interesting to track the history of this aircraft.

This is a very large photograph (31"l x 26"h) and it was framed in its original "glassless" frame when I purchased it, not being a substantial frame, it sort of fell apart over the years & then got misplaced! I am having it re-framed.

I purchased this original TWA Photograph in a garage sale about 20 years ago. It was just sitting alongside the inside wall with no price. So asked how much the picture was and was told 25 Cents....I happily took out a quarter & paid!

In case anyone is wondering why I am placing wording across some of the photographs, it is because in the internet world, many individuals will copy this photograph, re-print it and then sell it on ebay or some other internet location even though they do not own the item or photograph. I own the item and I took the photograph, the rights to the photograph is copyright protected.

Vintage Baldwin Piano Advertising Mirror, Early 1900's Advertising Mirror

2010-02-15T05:41:00.001-08:00

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Mirrors are really hard to photograph, especially large mirrors! I shot the left photo outside on a porch at an angle pointing up so the image is distorted but still shows the overall mirror. The mirror is reflecting same color walls & ceiling. Size is 27-1/2" x 37-1/2

Frame is original.

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Closeup of part of the beautiful advertising on this mirror.

I found this advertising mirror and another very early advertising sign in a basement sale quite some time ago. The advertising sign was smaller & I ended up selling that sign soon after. I kept the mirror as it is really great!

The very top "Badge" is the French Legion of Honor and on the left side it states "Decoration of the Legion of Honor" and on the right side it states "Conferred in 1900 by the French Government".

Since the advertising on the mirror refers to awards etc from Paris 1900 & St. Louis 1904 (1904 St. Louis Fair) I think this mirror is probably from around 1905-1920 or at least in that era.

Ventriloquist Dummy ~ 1930's/40's ?

2010-02-14T11:48:00.000-08:00

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I bought this little guy quite some time ago and have no idea if he is an established character like Charlie, Mortimer Sneed etc. He is 30" tall and has no marks on him.

His head, hands and shoes are all of a hard composition and starting to crack as seen in the photographs. His clothes are also all original.

If anyone has any information on him, leaving a comment would really be appreciated.

THE TIGER ROOM, TAMMANY TIGERS, AL SMITH

2010-02-13T15:34:00.000-08:00

Very interesting & perhaps historic Jug. The print is "Gold" paint ~

Height is 8-1/4", Diameter is 5" at widest part.

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.........Closest to Actual Jug Color!...................................................................................

.........Another front view, color is actually darker than shown. See top left photo.

Bottom views: Key wind at bottom and Spring start when lifted on left

This Jug really intrigues me! I purchased it last year (2009) off from Craig's list for $15 and I have come up with that it could possibly have been from the Sherman Hotel Tiger Room, Chicago, which was built in 1920 ~ but then why would it have a 1928 date on it? or my favorite thought is that the jug came from the famous "Tiger Room" of William Kenny.

THE TIGER ROOM was a 2-story high Penthouse suite at 23rd Street & Park Ave. South built by millionaire William Kenny as his own "Private Playground" for leading politicians of the day and for other millionaires. The decor was completely about "Tigers", it had Tiger Skins, Tiger Statuary, Brass Tigers, Tiger Rugs, Paintings of Tigers, Stuffed Tigers etc. THE TIGER ROOM also had a full bar!

This private club room named THE TIGER ROOM was no small thing; Al Jolson and Will Rogers entertained here for private gatherings of politicians, in fact the entire cast of the great Ziegfeld Follies once entertained in " THE TIGER ROOM" as well!

The TIGER ROOM was a very private club for William Kenny & his close circle of friends, all part of the TAMMANY TIGERS elite. The Tiger was the symbol of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party Irishman's Club (William Tweed brought the Tiger symbol to Tammany)

Al Smith, Governor of New York, friend and member of the TIGER ROOM elite decided in 1928 to run for President and asked fellow "Tiger Room" friend and huge contributor John Raskob to be his Campaign Manager (John Raskob was a regular at the Tiger Room and was Chairman of the General Motors Finance Committee and member of GM Executive Committee). Is this the reason the jug has the slogan ~ THE TIGER ROOM ~ FORWARD ~ 1928 ?

The above is just my theory so I would love to have more information provided by visitors...Please leave comments & send me an email if you have more information on this jug! Researching an item is as much fun as buying it! By the way, a lot of the information concerning the political impact of William Kenny, John Raskob & Al Smith is from a book review of "Sloan rules: Alfred P. Sloan and the triumph of General Motors" By David R. Farber, available on Amazon...Here is a link if interested or click on Bookstore at Top of Page~

The Home Bartenders Guide and Song Book: 1930 Classic

2010-02-13T14:30:00.000-08:00

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Here is another great 1930 Bar/Drink Classic. This book is aimed right at the impact Prohibition was having on the enjoyment of liquor. Any advanced collector of Cocktail Books must have 1.) the Savoy Cocktail Book and 2) This Book! To be sure there are loads of other cocktail books, but these two books are at the top of any list.
I was fortunate to have purchased both these books at estate sales about 20 years ago. I won't say what I paid (I still remember, besides the prices are still marked inside) but I can say I paid less than $2 total for both books!
I would have liked to scan some of the inside pages, but the binding is very loose and the pages are just about ready to come loose so even opening the pages tends to cause damage. The book is filled with black & white drawings of humorous kind and numerous (many) drinking songs.

1878 Paris Exposition: Rare Porcelain Charger by Bertin-Tissier

2010-02-11T08:30:00.001-08:00

Two Views of my Charger;

Left Photo has a blindspot glare so I shot another pic; the right photo is slightly offside but shows the hot air balloons ~ Ballooning had to be the ultimate thrill at the 1878 Paris Exposition! Would you ride in a balloon gondala with 40-50 others in 1878? More information is below ~

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....... .13-1/2" Diameter Porcelain Charger by Bertin-Tissier

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Do you see the Bertin-Tissiers minature name on the above right enlarged photo of the Paddlewheeler on the River Seine? Click on the photo to enlarge. I didn't notice this for almost 20 years after purchasing it. Lesson: Always check your item everywhere with a very good magnifying glass!

The 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle is relatively unknown (I have read that Postcards from this Exposition have even not been found) The third Paris World's Fair of 1878, called an Exposition Universelle in French, was held from May 1 though to November 10, 1878. It celebrated the recovery of France after the 1870 Franco-Prussian War. A "Moorish" palace was constructed at the tip of the Place du Trocadéro and stood until 1937.

The 1878 Exposition had fantastic exhibits; The completed Head of the Statue of Liberty was exhibited (see photo below ~ History; Gustave Eiffel (Eiffel Tower) was structural Engineer), Alexander Graham Bell’s Telephone, Thomas Edison displayed a Megaphone and Phonograph and Electric Arc lighting had also been installed all along the Avenue de l’Opera and the Place de l’Opera, in June, a switch was thrown and the area was lit by electric Yablochkov arc lamps, powered by Zénobe Gramme dynamos.

Henry Giffard also flew his giant "Balloon" at this exposition (Notice the Balloons floating above the Exposition on the Charger). One was certainly no small balloon, and it is most likely by no accident these balloons are depicted on the Charger!

Henry Giffards balloon was literally a "Giant"! I have included some great photographs below (US Library of Congress, Public Domain) of his balloon to show the immensity of his Balloon. It appears that 50-60 people could ride in the gondola, if not more! Really a scary thought!!
Though somewhat unknown, this was really a great Exposition; 36 countries exhibited and more than 13 Million people attended this 1878 Paris Exposition which opened on May 5, 1878 and closed on November 10, 1878, just 5 months for all those people to attend!

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Preparing & setting up Henry Giffards giant .................How many people are in that Gondola?
balloon @ 1878 Paris Exposition.

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Henry Giffards Balloon in Courtyard......................Aerial view of 1878 Paris from Balloon

............................Head of Statue of Liberty Exhibited

"Hunting Indians in a Taxi-Cab" ~ Book Wanted

2010-02-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

I am looking for an original copy of this book;
......"Hunting Indians in a Taxi-Cab"
.......By: Kate Sanborn.
.......Published by: R.G. Badger, Boston, 1911

The subject of the book is literally about going around in an automobile looking for "Cigar Store Indians" in 1911.

If you have this book or know of a copy available, drop me an email at: in2past@gmail.com.

"Wings" Movie Poster, 1927 "Wings" 2-Sided Poster, "Wings" Movie Memorabilia

2010-02-06T11:37:00.001-08:00

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A rare 9" x 17-3/4" ~ 2-Sided, Poster/Flyer for the 1927 movie "Wings".

This appears to have been printed to mail out as an advertisement (note the address stamped onto the upper right corner) to come see the movie. This was printed for the Royal Theater, Hopkins, MN. Hopkins is a small suburban city about 10 miles outside the city of Minneapolis. The dates this movie is being shown is also printed into the Flyer itself & not added.
The paper is very low grade newspaper grade quality which makes the fact that this item is still in existence incredible, especially in the condition it is in ((8.5/10).
The printing & images are still as sharp as the day it was printed, the front view appears a bit fuzzy, but that is from the camera, the backside appears as sharp as the original! Being a mailer, this was not made or intended to be kept. (don't worry if you see a "pin" holding this to wall, the hole was already there from the estate sale ~ they actually had it thumbtacked to the wall but fortunately just in the center.)
The movie "Wings" won the very first Academy Award and in 1997 "Wings" was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". A One-Sheet Color Movie Poster for Wings sold for $86,250 in 2005 by Heritage Auctions. I purchased this from a estate sale 25-30 years ago and have stored it ever since.

N.Starr ~ 1798 Colonial Sword Maker to US Military

2010-02-01T10:24:00.000-08:00

No photo on this post, just a short story about a great find & purchase I made about 30 years ago. It was a cold Sunday afternoon in February, around 2-3 PM and I was looking for an estate sale advertised in the paper. It was late but figured I had nothing to lose and it would be my last stop before heading home.
I found the sale and walked into this big old house with huge rooms and high ceilings but the house was almost empty. I wandered into a room where the estate people had set up their checkout and saw a table in the middle of the room with a sword laying on it.
Before I could get to it, another person picked it up, felt it, looked at it and put it back down. I picked it up immediately and did the same thing they did, except it was a dingy, poorly lit room, so I took it over to a window to get a better look at it. The grip had no leather on it, no wire, just bare wood, and the sword had a curve to it, so I'm thinking what probably 100 or so others that had picked up & looked at it over the past two days had thought, "if it is real why is only marked $50 and why is it still here?
I looked at it closer and used a fingernail to remove dirt & grime near the guard and I saw what looked like a letter stamped into the blade. I started lightly cleaning that area and the initials "N.STARR" appeared.
I decided this sword had to be real so I went over to the people holding the sale and asked them "how much would they would take for it since the sale is almost over, they said $25!
I bought it and next week went to the library. I found the sword, even a picture of it in a sword reference book. The sword was made by Nathan Starr, one of the earliest and greatest sword manufacturers (ca. 1798 >) for the United States Military.
Moral of the story, don't arbitrarily pass up something when looking at an item and don't ever think that the people selling an item know more than you or your own instincts. I sold it after a year to a friend of a friend that collected military.
Update: With the advent of new devices, one of which is called "Kindle", if I had this device 30 years ago & I had pre-loaded my reference books and price guides to have immediate information, this opportunity would have been simply an immediate "buy it now~don't even think about it moment!" This is how you can use Kindle. I have a link to Kindle @ the top of this blog....Think of all the uses....Tax write off if a business, Antiquing, etc.

PBS Antiques Roadshow ~ Backstage "Green Room"

2010-02-01T09:13:00.000-08:00

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Snacks & beverage table and a view of one row (of 3-4 rows) with selected potential "Televised" candidates. The area set up for the "green room" was huge!

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Another view of that first row. The photo on the right is one of several monitors they set up around the room so family & friends that came with could watch the on-air interview while it was going on out front.

We spent almost 8 hours from the time we arrived to the time we left. As soon as we walked in, we happened to be selected to do an "internet video" interview which was really fun. Then we had about another hour & a half to get through the main long line to be "sorted" by what we had brought in.
We then got into a couple of specialized lines and met with appraisers. Appraiser Christopher Lane asked if we would be interested in doing a TV interview. Before I could answer, my wife had already volunteered me, so then we waited for about 30-40 minutes to do another interview with the shows producer as she had the final decision as to who would be selected for on-air. If she selected you, then you were taken directly into the green room.

Click here for the Post about the 1881 Custers Last Rally Print & the PBS Antiques Roadshow televised video.

Long story short, we were selected and made it onto a televised PBS Antiques Roadshow. The whole experience was just totally enjoyable. We would love to do it again!

"Spoils of War" Print , Pub.1909, Painted 1894, Max Lieberman?

2010-01-30T10:49:00.000-08:00

Print published by Max leserman, New York, 1909. Title is "Spoils of War"

The original painting that the print was made from was painted in 1894 as can be seen in the small photograph. I have no idea who the original Artist was and would appreciate any help or information from site visitors.

I think the original painting may have originally been painted by Max Lieberman but this is just a hunch.

The subject matter is certainly European and the uniforms and room interior appears to be Prussian / Austrian. The soldier in the right side at the back of the room is wearing a type of helmet similar to the German "Pickelhaube" but has a flat top spire?

I think Max Lieberman may have painted a picture with a title "Spoils of War", however I have not been able to locate a picture of this painting online and so have no idea if it is the painting that this print is based on. Max Lieberman was German and while famous for his impressionism paintings, he was also an outstanding real life artist. Any help would be appreciated!

Colonial Tinware, Colonial Tinware Pitcher

2010-01-30T10:20:00.000-08:00

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Early "Rooster/Bird" decorated metalware. With that type of decoration, I think it is handmade, American & from Colonial days, perhaps from mid to late 1700's. It is not a finely made piece, it is strictly utilitarian and it appears that it was certainly used.

A fun item but hard to tell much more about it. The seams are all hammered and as seen the fittings and hinges are also handmade. If anyone knows more about early metalware, feel free to offer additional information.

Brewster Transportation Company/Canada National Parks

2010-01-29T16:29:00.000-08:00

Interesting & fun "Mini-Poster/Flyer" (approx. 9"x12") from probably the late 1920's. The Brewster Transportation Company put this out to publicize a "24 Hour Detour" through the Canadian Rocky Mountains and National Park.

The opposite side shows the "Detour Route". This has been folded in half and the back page of the Poster/Flyer is missing but fortunately the main poster image is intact.

The Brewster Transportation Company was one of the great Coach/Bus Companies (Started in 1892) operating in the Canadian Rockies for tourists, much like the Yellowstone & Glacier Park Whites Bus Lines.

Notice the Multi-Row tourist seating in the open roadster bus in the poster! During the 1940's, Brewster had 44 Glass-Topped Touring Buses operating. While this is not a major $$ item, it is probably a relatively rare item due to the fact that "Detours" don't last forever and this would have been used for a very limited time! So this is not only a fun item, it is a rare item because of its limited distribution & time period.

This poster image is really appealing, maybe because it is so tranquil and because it was intended to be a positive poster and informational flyer. After all, with a major detour, they had to keep tourists from becoming unhappy and turning around & not touring!

Canadians may have much stronger feelings about this item considering this is really a neat Canadian National Park related item. I wouldn't disagree!

WW1 Posters, WW1 H.C. Christy Posters

2010-01-28T14:41:00.000-08:00

Original full size WW1 posters by Howard Chandler Christy. Several years ago WW1 posters were very inexpensive compared to posters in the Product, Theater, Advertising genre. During the past 4-5 years, numerous WW1 posters have been steadily increasing in value as more collectors are discovering the incredible artwork on these posters. Who wouldn't want an early original poster by Norman Rockwell, Christy, Beneke, Flagg and other great artists? I was offered a significant collection of WW1 Posters about 25 years ago (which I purchased) but I have just (2) original duplicate posters remaining. I have One original "Americans All" and "And They Thought We Couldn't Fight" Poster of each that is for sale. These two posters are personal favorites so I have not been in any hurry to part with even duplicates. If you are interested in Posters, several books are shown in the "Book Store" at the top of this page. If you want to purchase any book, just click & buy it directly through Amazon Books. Start a great passion in your life for american history & art!

Folies Bergere (Paris) Program, 1890's Folies Bergere Program

2010-01-27T14:22:00.000-08:00

These are great programs, extremely colorful and show the famed Parisian Nightlife at the turn of the century. These programs were often "Tri-Folded" or "Folded in Half" vertically.

The Folies-"Bergere" was originally named after a nearby street, the "rue Bergere"! Paris's most famous music hall was teasingly called ''The Elastic Mattress'' when it first opened in 1869 because the theater had replaced a furniture shop that specialized in bedroom suites!

The Folies-Bergere was pretty tame when it first opened, its early programs featured concerts by composers like Gounod, Massenet and Saint-Saens, then during the Paris Commune of 1871, the theater became a popular political meeting place.

Then in 1887 came ''Place au Jeunes'' and history was about to be made The previously not very special theater began it's own history making career that has lasted until today. Over the last century, the Folies-Bergere has attracted an array of world famous performers and patrons. Yvette Guilbert, celebrated in Toulouse-Lautrec's posters, sang here among so many famous actors & actresses.

There are two other vintage Parisian programs on this blog; Click to see programs for Olympia and the Le Lido.

I buy programs such as this for any of the 1880's/1890's Parisian Cabarets. If you have one to sell, please contact me.

Antikamnia Calendar, 1898 Antikamnia Calendar,

2010-01-27T07:07:00.001-08:00

This is a bizarre calendar. Each month has really great illustrations except the figures are skeletons and are often shown talking to each other.

I purchased this calendar at a flea market probably 20 years ago & kept it just because the calendar is "Wonderfully Weird"! Antikamnia Chemical Co. started doing business around 1890 and used these drawing extensively to give away mostly to the medical profession. Antikamnia ultimately stopped doing business when the FDA sued them for deceptive practices.

Here is some additional information on these drawings and other calendars from http://bibliodyssey.blogspot.com/ . This site also shows several calendar pages from later calendar years 1899/1900. Even into the 1900's this company used very humorous calendars. This is a great site..Be sure to visit it! "After beginning his working life as a printer's apprentice, Louis Crucius (or Crusius) completed the necessary requirements to graduate as a pharmacist in 1882 and a doctor in 1890 in St Louis, Missouri. While he was studying he worked in a pharmacy and made humorous sketches that were placed in the window of the store. A collection of these drawings was published in 1893 ('Funny Bones'). He lectured in histology and anatomy and eventually came to be a Professor of Anatomy but died in 1898 from kidney tumours.Although he gave most of his drawings away, Crucius sold a number of them to the Antikamnia ('opposed to pain') Chemical Company which had been established in St Louis in 1890. They produced antikamnia medicines containing the coal tar derivative, acetanilid, an anti-fever drug with pain relieving properties somewhat related to paracetamol, but which would be later shown to be a toxic compound not to mention addictive. Antikamnia was mixed with substances like codeine and quinine to enhance the pain relieving effects.30 of the Crucius 'dance of death'-inspired drawings were used to make 5 years worth of Antikamnia Chemical Company calendars - between 1897 and 1901. They had a fairly aggressive marketing campaign in which the calendars (aimed at the medical fraternity) as well as postcards and sample packs were distributed to doctors in the United States and overseas."

Esquire Magazine Posters, Esquire Posters, 1942 Magazine Posters

2010-01-26T15:45:00.000-08:00

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Original 1942 Esquire Magazine Advertising Posters!

The frames appear jagged which is from the camera angle & resulting image outline feature of the photo program....I'm not the best photographer but posters still show! A few years ago I had an original Esquire 18-20" tall "Esky" Statue and I sold it! Now I'm looking for another, if you have one and looking to sell it, contact me.

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Both posters are standard 20"x30" size. As seen in the right photograph, the Esquire copyright and date on the December poster is clearly shown! There is no such notation on the May poster!
If anyone has a original Esquire Poster they would like to sell, send me a note.

Cigar Store Indian, Cigar Advertising, Vintage Cigar Store Advertising

2010-01-26T15:13:00.000-08:00

What I wouldn't give to have one of these!

Below are sources of information on Cigar Store Indians;

"Cigar Store Figures In American Folk Art" , A.W. Pendergast and W. Porter Ware, The Lightner Publishing Corp., Chicago, Ill., 1953

"Lo,The Wooden Indian" , F.W. Weitenkampf, The New York Times, August 3, 1890, P.16, Col.1

"Hunting Indians in a Tax-Cab", Kate Sanborn, Gorham Press, Boston, 1911

"Social History of Smoking", G.L Apperson, Putnam, 1916, 178 AP.4

"Passing of the Wooden Indian", J.L. Morrison, Scribners Magazine, October, 1928, Vol.84, pp. 393-405

"The History of Signboards", Jacob Larwood and John C. Hotten, John Camden Hotten, Piccadilly, 1866

"The Cigar Store Indian and his Competitors", Harold Donaldson Eberlein & Cortland Van Dyke Hubbard, American Collector Magazine, February, 1938

"The Forgotten Man", Mabel Allen, Hobbies Magazine, January, 1939

"American Folk Art", Jean Lipman, Pantheon Press, New York, 1948

"The Index of American Design", Erwin O. Lipman, MacMillan Company, New York (National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC) 1950

I have the book "Cigar Store Figures in American Folk Art" (first ed.), 76 Pages, and recommend it as a book every collection should have. The book is easy to find, relatively inexpensive and filled with numerous photographs and interesting stories. Good Hunting!