c1930s Walter L. Main Circus Carnival Train Banners 20′

I like to handle only one of a kind things, and I can be certain that these fall right in my niche.  A pair of canvas screenprinted banners (white, with black trimmed red lettering) that measure 26″ high by 120″ long (each) x 2.  Reads: Walter L. Main 3 Ring.  The Walter L. Main circus operated on and off from the 1880s up to the 1940s, I’d pretty much guarantee these are 1930s/early 1940s. These are absolutely classic, railroad car advertising banners to drape outside the show’s cars as they traveled.  Own a little piece of an iconic dustbowl era scene here. Here’s what looks to have happened, they look to have been printed “Erie Litho” (a recognized circus poster printer) as back ups and never used.  They clearly saw water damage to the bottom – perhaps 10″ – years ago. Would frame beautifully, or clean them up and hang as they are.  The top 2/3rds looks to be new old stock, and the bottom 1/3 has some canvas flaking and staining.

 

1909 Rare Antique School of Taxidermy Diploma License

Just fantastic, I’ve never seen one before – for all of you collecting antique taxidermy, here’s a killer companion piece. Diplmoma issued Dec 10, 1909 in Omaha Nebraska.  In the far left corner is a gold seal that reads “The Northwestern School / Corporate Seal of Taxidermy” and a 1″ tall photo of the graduate attached to the diploma.  Buck engraving at the center with “School of Taxidermy: Taxidermy Taught in all its Branches” motto atop. Incredible condition, largely clean and without flakes/cracks/or loss – just a few small stains, see photo.  Frame is in perfect shape, never taken apart (the backing paper has been taped – nothing else).  Measures 15.5 x 18.5″.  Even without a taxidermy collection, this is perfect Victorian goth or steampunk decor – scarce.

 

1950s Salesman Sample Butcher Meat Cuts

All these ever make me thing of are the shocking red and white meat cuts that Mark Ryden likes to juxtapose with Lincoln’s image.  I adore these butchers’ props/salesman samples.  Obviously from the 1950s, they are made of plaster and then painted (looks like airbrushed) with a million shades of white/cream/red paint.  T Bone and an Eye of Round I’d guess.  Round is 6″ x 7″ x 3″H and T Bone is 3 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ x 6 1/2″H.  Great condition, one or two tiny flakes to the paint – nothing more.

 

1880 Victorian Hypnotist Trade Card Occult Spiritualism

Found in a new old stock cache in a SWPA barn, this card is new old stock from the 1880s/90s.  I assume that the Professional Hypnotist card / artwork is a blank and the name and town would be printed in – Bert F. Ober, Stahlstown PA.  Measures 2 3/4″ x 4 1/2″, very nice condition.

 

Object Framed c1930 Modern Dance Tobacco Cards inc Anita Berber

Mama loves object framing, whenever I’m bored – this is what I whip up to get the creative juices flowing again.  Set of a dozen modern dance (c1930 screaming art deco) tobacco cards, made by German manufacturer Eckstein-Helpus.  The cards are tonal monochrome, and paired with the charcoal mat and chocolate frame are striking.  The coolest part is that the second card in is a rare image of Anita Berber.  Same era and every bit as high society gossip mill fodder as Mata Hari or Isadora Duncan.  Berber became one of the first women to perform nude, and could in fact be found barely clothed most of her life.  A short black bob and a mink stole, occasionally all she wore to a party.  A drunk and a cocaine addict, she lived a high speed life – muse to many a Weinmar Period artist and early filmmaker in Berlin’s Art Deco boom…before dying of Tuberculosis in 1928 at the age of 29.  Each card measures 2” x 2 ½”, the entire piece 16” x 22”.