Measures 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, original (NOT REPRINT) Rosie the Riveter holding a plane wing. The accompanying text is gone (bit of adhesive remains on the back) but the stamp “Photograph from Office of Director of Public Information, Ottawa” remains. Original, press photo.
I am incredibly happy to offer (in separate auctions) two portraits of Iniut women, done by a nationally known photographer Byron Hale. Hale spent time photographing for Geographical Survey in the Arctic seemingly between 1958 and 1978, I’m guessing by the mount that this photo was taken somewhere in the middle – in the 1960s. Mother looks down on her son, who is being licked by a wolf cub. Incredibly sweet and rare subject matter. Photo itself measures 12″ x 13 1/2″ and is mounted to 16″ x 20″ with the title “Arctic Mother” and signature of Byron Hale in pencil on right. The photo does have light crease lines where there might have been bubbles when originally laid down, please see photos for exact condition.
I’d date this admission ticket to the 1880s – mostly do to the script. Simply reads “Julian Hawthorne, Admit One” and measures 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ on heavy green cardstock. It has seen better days, has a chipped corner and a tear across the “Admit”. Honestly can’t imagine where you would find another, however.
Framed Object Art of fifteen Tokio Cigarette Silks (circa 1920) American Indians. Each measures approximately 2 1/4″ x 3″ and the fifteen are matted into forest green acid free mat and framed in a dark gold Victorian moulding. Overall size is approx. 19″ x 31″ – the colors are stunning, with just a touch of unraveling at the edges (typical, they were never bound at the edges). Perfect for a cabin or the like.
Cast iron book ends with beautiful high relief images of men at work in a Steel mill. Inside the paired image of the two men is “FWS”. Uncertain if that was the name of a mill – or if those are the artist’s initials and this is a WPA era art project. Measure 4 1/2″ tall, 6″ wide and 2″ deep at base.
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”.
I honestly cannot date this piece, but am guessing that its the first part of the 20thc – carved of a fruitwood obviously. Absolutely stunning death mask representation of Ludwig van Beethoven with menacing creases around the eye and puff to the cheeks…the detail is incredible, particularly because of the height of the relief. He measures 12″ wide by 12″ high, but the relief actually stands 3″ at its deepest, away from the wall – quite imposing. Every bit is carved beautifully, to include his wild hair. Please see photos, the piece is a bit darker in reality – because the flash lights it up, there is also more depth in real life…very hard to describe, I can simply say that it will not disappoint and I’ve never seen another like it. Ready to hang.
