Number 11 in the Ring Boxing Library, “Scientific Blocking and Hitting and Other Methods of Defense by Nat Fleischer: In Collaboration with Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Jack Dempsey, Tommy Loughran and Charley Massare.” Published by C.J. OBrien in New York, soft cover in great condition – light soiling to cover and occasional pencil marks, really clean.
Published by Richard K. Fox. Incredibly scarce book, but in place holder condition. The spine was early ruined and taped with Christmas tape (probably in the 20s), soiled, loose cover with chipping to bottom edge of pages, 110 pages, missing back cover (replaced with an old picture easel.) When you see a book as infrequently as I see this one, any copy is worth owning – and is of course still perfectly readable as a reference source. Published by Richard K. Fox. Incredibly scarce book, but in place holder condition. The spine was early ruined and taped with Christmas tape (probably in the 20s), soiled, loose cover with chipping to bottom edge of pages, 110 pages, missing back cover (replaced with an old picture easel.) When you see a book as infrequently as I see this one, any copy is worth owning – and is of course still perfectly readable as a reference source.
I was excited to stumble onto this, real photo sailboat race (8×10 sight on 11×15 framed sheet) signed “N – Just to thank you for being a stout fellow and a good agrivator on many a good race, The Finnish W. E. Special Aug 2-41.” I BELIEVE that’s what the last two lines say and I believe that it is either signed Jimy or Joey beside that. Worth the research. Original Framing, never been apart – Keystone Framing, Pittsburgh PA sticker on the back from the 40s.
This is a beautiful piece, a letter dated April 23rd, 1937 from Gracie Fields (early commedienne in the UK and later US of the time) to a man named Tattersall (most likely Viva Tattersall) and it reads: “Thank you for your nice letter and the album of pictures. You seem to have been dissatisfied in your life, still I hope your daughter is lucky for you as I have been for my mother. Here is a picture of me. Sincerely Yours, Gracie Fields.” She enclosed a newspaper clipping of herself in the letter, which has obviously been with it all these days – there is some acid toning to the letter from the newspaper acid.
Mel-Roy PsD, MsD “Apostle of Mental Science” was a traveling lecturer on the science of dreams and palmistry, and other paranormal during the teens and twenties in the US. I have come across the books that he sold his patrons, but I have never seen this poster – unclear whether the poster itself was sold for the purchase price at the bottom or if it advertised a book on palmistry. The reverse is advertising for gazing crystals (crystal balls), $4.00 each and for his famous “Book of Dreams”. Measures 10×17″ with four folds and minimal wear otherwise. Would look remarkable framed for any collector of the metaphysical / snake oil quack medicine.
Two pieces, all of the same estate and all belonging to a Spanish American veteran of the 47th Infantry, stationed in the Phillipines from 1898 to 1901. Marsh Fleck Com 47 is scratched into the side of this trifold mirror – each piece of mirror is rimmed in tin and hand hammered nails with a hinge between each. On the backs of the mirrors, in the center is a playing card back (Adad & Picard Escolta) and on each side is one of the beautiful Victorian women in costume playing cards mounted as decorative backing. On the title card he scratched his name again and 1900, and a few other words that I can’t quite read as well. Mirrors are slightly out of square, and losing silver – and the playing card that has been on the top of the piece (when folded) for 100 years is quite dirty with another word “Somerset” or something like it written in pencil (I’d guess the station he was at during the war). Accompanying the piece is a letter that I assume our friend penned laid up with a wound in the war – it reads in part “I hear they welcome voice that calls me lord to thee, for cleansing in thy precious blood that flowed on calvary….” Beautiful penmanship, sixteen stanzas – double sided poem. Its nice to keep this with the mirror as they have always been.
Straight from a Vandergrift PA estate, brought back (so the story goes) from Germany – after crashing in Germany, cut at the middle and chopped at the end. Looks like it was done at the time, and rigged to hang on an old chain. Made by Paragon in Baltimore, MD – the markings I can make out are “6576″, “1780″, AID C2 in a circle, 8′3 x 5.00 and “right hand.” Very nice condition with a few scuffs and one limited crack at the cut (not deep).
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.
Twenty three pin up blotters, matchbook covers and greeting card fronts – all but one by Earl Moran, collaged together in a yard long frame sometime contemporary to the pieces themselves. Just a killer piece, you never see these. Original back has been secured with a few modern nails at one corner, untouched otherwise. Measures 8×39″.
I love doing these “yardlongs” of pin up girlies from the 50s/60s…they hang in many a den, tattoo shop and vintage clothing store. Great graphic and splash of color for not much output – but until recently (when I bought one from the 40s) I had no idea this was a vintage concept, just makes it cooler. Professional framing (with acid free photo corner secured) of eight different Withers pin up blotters from the early 60s. Red mat, modern black frame – sleek and attractive. Measures 17×33″.
