c1900 Span Am Playing Card Trench Art Folk Art

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.

c1930s Cast Iron Bookends – Labor Steel Workers WPA

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.

1930/40s Pittsburgh PA Police Detective Ledger Journal

This is a rather remarkable archive for those interested in early 20thc police work.  Actual day ledger written by an Allegheny County Police Detective, spanning the years 1936-38 (roughly two hundred pages I’d guess – 8 1/2″ x 11″).  Written in fountain pen, contrast is very sharp – takes a bit of adjustment to read it perfectly, but once you get the hang of it – its fascinating.  A quick glance yields rape, murder, breaking and entering, abortion doctors – both investigations and following through to the trials, he was even the officer assigned to guard a famous murder witness in 1936 – the PG has an article online about the case, and in his notes – sure enough it says “guarding Sehar” under those days.  Incredible.  Towns all over Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties are mentioned.  A dozen or so sworn statements and other notes also came with this ledger and will be included.  They are largely from the year 1940 – three typed (several page) sworn statements and 8 different “reports” or “notes” by the detective concerning individual cases are also here.  The name of the officer is in the statements, and make your research easy  – I would rather not include it here.

3′ c1940s Plaster Crocodile Fossil Snout & Jaw Casting

Plaster casting of a Crocodile’s jaw/snout that measures 31″ long by 10″ wide and approx 10″ tall.  It appears to be from the 1930s or 40s based on the paint and the aging. I was told that it was de-accessioned at auction by a local college, with a fine history.  There is very little damage to it given the age, just some very minor chipping (mostly just to the paint, not to plaster itself in most cases) along the edges.  Incredible piece for scientific study (it gives the same sense of utter terror that standing in front of it at a museum might, to imagine what size the creature was that this would have belonged to — is wholly frightening) or just as great old mad scientist gothic decor (I will admit, that if this does not sell – it might be doing that right here in my home)…this is a once in a life time piece.  Does have a museum or college collection number painted on the jaw.

Pr 19thc Greek Gods Cemetery Gothic Stone Sculptures

Unbelievable pair of mid to third quarter 19thc stone figural mythological or religious sculptures from a cemetery chapel, here in SWPA.  The chapel has been demolished and sold for parts by the cemetery, and these were purchased from their original owner who has had them some twenty years.  Whether they were meant to hang (I don’t believe so, but wouldn’t rule it out) or if they always laid flat…they are beautiful gothic cemetery statuary.  Each measures 20″ long by 9″ wide and 7″ high in relief.  They appear to be recumbent on a pillow and cover, each wears a defined robe and poses towards each other – they lean in to each other, terribly romantic.  Certainly have seen their share of weathering and the faces are all but washed away, and the feet are damaged as shown – but they are simply incredible and cannot be easily matched.  Each weighs approximately 60 pounds.

19thc Cast Iron Demeter Greek Goddess Figural Fireplace

Demeter, winged, with the wheat sheaf in one hand and her torch in the other is made of cast iron, and most likely cut of a third quarter 19thc fireplace back of an appropriate mansion.  Measures 13 1/2″ tall, 10 wide and nearly 2″ in relief at her highest.  Gorgeous piece with quite a bit of graphic appeal.  Shows some signs of old black paint, not much and has a nice (very light) rust patina to her surface – much more prevelant on the reverse, equivalent for her age.  Please see photos (keeping in mind all of the odd glare is just the flash playing with the relief) and email with questions.

Carved Early 20thc Ludwig van Beethoven Death Mask

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.

University of Penn Art Show Exhibited Allegorical Painting – Monstrous

Shes phenomenal, striking as anything and measures 54″ high by 38″ wide.   Monochromatic blue hues, appears to be a woman seated at the bottom of the ocean.  She is signed on the reverse, as being exhibited at U of Penn in 1984, and simply titled “allegory”.  Easily dominates a wall or a room.

Handmade 1950s Carnival Big Top Puppet Theatre

I fell in love with this, one of the best made puppet theatres I’ve ever seen and they painted it in carnival colors!  Measures 60″ high including removable 12″ topper, 30 wide and 12″ deep.  I think its probably c1950s, but with new hinges so that its nice and sturdy.  Great look – especially if you collect puppets/marionettes, whathaveyou.