20th Century Historical Memorabilia

Italian vintage red and white road cones, 1960s. Traffic signals or cones with conical rubber structure and square support and with a hole in the upper...

This brass decoration, in the shape of the Eiffel tower, conjures the romance of a voyage to Paris. Made in France in the 20th Century, the intricate lattice-work is rendered in perf...

Rare c 1930 steel Denoyer Geppert military chalk globe. Globe alone measures 22" in diameter, Retains original patina. Age appropriate wear. Minor dents.(see photo). Original patina ...

Vintage plastic and glass traditional Catalan soda syphon. By unknown manufacturer, made in circa 1970 In original condition, with minor wear consist...

Antique forty six star large wool American flag by Horstmann Company, circa 1908-1912. Horstmann firm was founded by William H. Horstmann (1785-1850), who had immigrated to Philadelphia from Germany. Horstmann bought out a local swordmaker in 1828 and thereafter entered the military goods field. The firm benefitted from the Civil War, becoming the largest military goods supplier in the nation by 1864. WILLIAM H. HORSTMANN & SONS, Manufacturers of Dress Trimmings and Military Goods. 5th & Cherry Streets, Philadelphia, PA. This house was founded, in 1815, by William H. Horstmann, a native of Cassel, in Germany. He had learned the trade of silk-weaving in France, and, emigrating to the United States in the above-mentioned year, established himself in Philadelphia as a manufacturer of fringe, laces and trimmings of various kinds. He married the daughter of Frederick Hoeckly, a German settler in Philadelphia, and also a manufacturer of fringe, coach-lace and tassels. He devised several improvements in this trade, especially by introducing varieties in the styles and patterns of this class of goods, there being at that time only two patterns used in the trade, which were known as the Jefferson pattern and the Monroe pattern. In 1824, he introduced into this country from Germany the use of plaiting or braiding machines, and about the same time he was the first to introduce into this country the use of the Jacquard loom, for weaving patterns in textile fabrics. His location was in the first instance at No. 50 North Third street, but within a short time he removed to a store next to the Harp and Crown tavern, afterwards known as the City hotel, and continued his business within a short distance of this point for many years. In 1828, he commenced the manufacture of military trimmings as a special department, and this branch has grown to most important proportions, Horstmann's military goods being in demand throughout time country. The firm have also executed large Government contracts in this line for the War and Navy Departments. In 1831, he established a branch house in New York city, and about the same time erected a factory at the corner of Germantown road and Columbia avenue. The factory was continued here until time erection of the extensive building at Fifth and Cherry streets, where the works, salesrooms and offices of time firm now are. This massive structure is six stories high, and extends 140 feet on Fifth street and 200 on Cherry street, and reaches back to Race street. The separate departments into which the business is divided are thirty in number. More than 1000 distinct looms and machines are in use in the building, many of them very costly and some invented and used exclusively by this firm, the motive power being supplied by a steam engine of fifty horse power. The area covered by the works is about 11,000 square feet. Time number of hands employed is very large, about 500. When the erection of a vast factory at this point was first proposed, a strong opposition was made by time holders of the neighboring property. The ancient German Lutheran Church and burying ground, since removed, stood opposite the site, and a bill was introduced into the Legislature to forbid the use of a steam engine within 100 yards of any place of worship. The interests which such a bill would have affected injuriously, especially those of several newspapers, roused a strong opposition to it, and it failed to become a law. In 1845, William H. Horstmann, the founder of the house, retired from the business, and his two sons, William and Sigmund, assumed the management and it was under their direction that the new building, above described, was erected. The goods produced by this house are of almost endless extent and variety. They include goods woven from all the various textile fibres—cotton, wool, silk, etc.—in every style, color and pattern, and are used for an infinite number of purposes. Narrow woven goods are time staple production, made up into material for dresses for both sexes, for use in daily life, and for regalia for ""societies;"" for the costumes of the stage, the upholstering of houses and of carriages, the uniforms of soldiers, together with equipments for the same, and for funeral purposes. The raw material used in the manufacture is to a great extent very costly, and their store rooms often hold as much as $200,000 worth of goods in an unworked state. There are two rooms devoted to power looms in the factory, one for coach lace and one for other styles of weaving, in which about 250 of these machines are constantly running. The braiding machines in the coach lace room are very noteworthy. The cord to be covered with braid is drawn through an opening in time middle of a flat, circular, metallic plate, about 15 inches across. Up to a point on this cord, about a foot above the plate, the threads of the braiding material converge, like the ribs of a tent-roof, and there weave in and out and out and in, as the coating of braid grows, and time covered cord rises and is wound away above. The weaving is accomplished by the motion of the spools below that carry the different threads of the braid. These spools stand in uprights, which are carried round and amongst each other in curved slots in the above-mentioned broad metallic plate. All but two of these spools run in and out among each other, with a swift, easy and intricate motion, mind so rapid that time eye can hardly follow it, while one or two special spools run steadily round and round among time twisting spools with the most extreme swiftness. Many other machines, displaying equally ingenious mechanism, are used in the factory. The various details of equipment manufactured and supplied by this house are also important, both for their number and the superior quality of the manufacture. The one article of swords may be taken as an instance. This trade grew naturally and immediately out of the established army and navy goods department of the works, it being necessary that the sword itself should be furnished together with the sword-belt and other trappings all complete. Every part of the sword and trappings, with the exception of the blade, is made on the premises. The blades are almost all imported from the ancient German sword-blade emporium of Solingen, where, it is said, swords have been made ever since the year 1147, when Count Adolphus of Berg brought home from the East and established there the business of forging Damascus blades. There is in this department a stock of some thousands of blades, of many different patterns and sizes, ready to be set and finished. Any style or sword can be had from this warehouse, from the plainest kind up to a presentation sword...

Unusual set of butcher accessories. A solid brass measuring tape dispenser for measuring the chest/feed level (text in Danish) of livestock both pigs and cows and a 1930s pork meat display stick-in sign in zink or pewter. Measurements: dispenser: 5 x 2.5 cm, pork sign...

A very rare advertising campaign tin tacker sign. 'Reach for Stroehmann's Sunbeam Bread.' A single sided tin (SST) embossed sign. Marked Q.B.A. Coop I...

This beautiful wall decoration plate is a nice addition to your Wall. It is marked at the back. A nice addition to your toleware room or Hollywood regency interior.

Vintage metal and glass traditional catalan soda syphon. By unknown manufacturer, made in circa 1990. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preser...

Presented is an Apollo 16 mission photograph, signed and inscribed by Apollo 16 moonwalker Charlie Duke. The photograph shows Duke collecting lunar samples n...

1950s AAA Emergency Service double-sided porcelain garage sign. Distressed condition, meaning some chips from being install back in the day, exposure to t...

Collection of Six vintage woodworking files United States 20th century Cast steel Height on custom display stands: 16.25 - 22.75 in. / 41 - 58 cm.

Vintage metal and glass traditional Catalan soda syphon. By unknown manufacturer, made in circa 1990. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preser...

"From Newton To Einstein: changing conceptions of the universe" By Albert Einstein Item Number: AG2337 Next » October 1920 Second Edition of "F...

M-125 Fialka-electromechanical wheel-based cipher machine USSR rotor-based cipher machine M-125, codename Fialka (Russian: ??????), was an el...

American Folk Art trade sign with hand-carved "Showroom" letters and an arrow. The letters and backboard are in original paint, egg-white and petroleum green. The sign has recently b...

A fully-signed signed colour photograph of British rock band Coldplay Formed in London in 1996, Coldplay are one of the biggest rock bands of the pa...

The AEC seal is one of those great totems of the atomic age. A largely symmetrical and stylized representation of an atom (the highly toxic beryllium), it is strikingly more straightforward than the seals of its successor organizations. The design and design philosophy is very characteristic of the Mid-Century Era. This large rare plaque was only used in official locations of the Atomic Energy Department. The AEC officially came into existence and took over from the Manhattan Project...

A rare set of 6 monkey. Each is made from cardboard and paper, this would be a great addition for your room to build your own hanging mobile. Total high of each one is given in dimen...

An original Bob Dylan owned and used guitar bridge Bob Dylan (1941 - ) is one of the greatest songwriters and most significant musical artists of all-tim...

Presented is a vintage U.S. Army recruitment poster, dating to World War I. The poster depicts an Army officer conferring with a soldier. They stand next to an artillery battery, manned by two soldiers. Their fort looks over a cliff, with water and clouds completing the background. The text "Men Wanted for the Army" is printed in bold red letters at the top of the poster. The bottom margin of the poster includes a cartouche where the name of the recruiting station can be filled in. The color lithograph was illustrated by Michael P...

Large, very fine, and unique Indian gilt-metal and silver sporting shield Indian, c.1927 Depth 13cm, diameter 68.5cm Awarded as a polo trophy to a team wh...

This beautiful wall decoration plate is a nice addition to your Wall. It is marked at the back. A nice addition to your toleware room or Hollywood regency interior.

Super rare neckties designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller, 1960s. We don't think these were ever in mass production. All th...

An attractive color photograph signed by the Dalai Lama His Holiness the Dalai Lama is revered as one of the world's foremost spiritual figures. Tod...

Antique early-20th Century Edwardian solid silver, blown glass and bound in sumptuous crocodile leather hip flask, unusually large, of rounded rectangular form, with a pull off cup, ...

It was exhibited in the original Miami beach antique show and Palm beach "American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF)". Horse in wood and chrome. We ha...

Underwood ” Vintage manual typewriter The Underwood Typewriter Company was a manufacturer of typewriters headquartered in New Y...

A majestic Royal family Christmas card signed by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1950 Albert Windsor married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923. He was the second in line to the throne, after his older brother, Edward. However, in 1936 Edward abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson. Albert was forced to take the throne in his place and was crowned George VI. His reign was defined by the second world war and the rapid decline of the British Empire that followed. Elizabeth and George’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth II, was Britain’s longest reigning monarch. This stunning Christmas card was sent out at Christmas in 1950, just two years before Elizabeth II's accession to the throne. Hugely scarce - one of just 7 known to exist. The card is dated and signed "1950, George R.I." and "Elizabeth R", with both signing boldly in black ink. The portrait on the card also features Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth, and depicts the family in highland dress. The card is signed by George VI and Queen Elizabeth on the left-hand inside panel, with the portrait on the right. This card measures approximately 7 x 6 inches when closed. The Christmas card also comes with superb provenance, having been originally presented to a valued employee at Buckingham Palace and passed down through his family for more than 60 years. A rare and beautiful piece of Royal memorabilia...

Christmas ornaments designed by Malene Birger for Georg Jensen. The ornaments are made of brass and gilded with 24-carat gold. Measures: 7" High x 6 1...

Antique Gladstone leather Military Satchel with Quote, "Who Shall Separate Us" Badge, Circa 1900.   

Steel printmaking plates from various Disney pictures. Beautiful trace remnants of original ink gives these plates a painterly appeal. Fabulous displayed as a collection or individua...

Vintage metal and glass traditional Catalan soda syphon. By unknown manufacturer, made in circa 1970. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving...

Turkey red bandanna, made for the 1912 presidential campaign of teddy Roosevelt, when he ran on the independent, progressive party (bull moose) ticket Printed cotton kerchief, made for the 1912 presidential campaign of Theodore Roosevelt when he ran on the Progressive Party ticket (a.k.a., the Bull Moose campaign). This graphic textile, in a classic, western style, typical of the iconic red bandanna, is indicative of both the Republican Party in the late 19th century, and T.R.’s love of the American West. In this example, a geometric design with diamonds, surrounded by multiple, linear borders, is accompanied by the following text along the top and bottom that reads: “The Roosevelt Bandanna” and “Progressive Party,” respectively. A maker’s mark in the lower right corner reads “Cochranes Mfg. Co.” Cochrane’s was known for their long-lasting, red dye process, called “Cochrane’s Turkey Red.”. It was really a process, as opposed to a dye itself, to which the name applied. The dye was actually a derived from a synthetic colorant called “alizarin,” imported by Alexander Cochrane’s family, who emigrated to the United States from 1847, and owned a chemical company in Massachusetts that produced the dye. The fabrics were produced by the family of John Cochrane, who emigrated from Renfrewshire, Scotland in 1844. Both families, who resided in Malden, Massachusetts initially, traced their ancestry to Barrhead, Scotland, in the heart of the textile-producing region, near Glasgow and Paisley. It was in Glascow that Turkey Red printed bandannas are said to have originated, in the shop of Henry Monteith & Company, in 1802.* TR's decision to enter the 1912 election was not exactly popular among many of his friends and former supporters. His participation manifested into a unique political incident, in which the independent, Roosevelt, beat out a major party ticket, garnering 27.4% of the vote. At the same time, however, he lost the White House, not only for himself, but for his former Republican friends as well, by dividing support between his own candidacy and that of incumbent President William Howard Taft...

A signed black and white photograph of British prime minister Margaret Thatcher Margaret Thatcher (1925 - 2013) was the UK's first female prime min...

Japanese made entirely from wood, this antique was used mainly as a juicer for fruits. L:25in(63.5cm) H:16in(40.6cm).

Antique sterling silver and wood gavel or auction hammer. The gavel is engraved with Judge's name and is a commemorative hammer or gavel for the years of service of the judge. The ...

Great collection of 6 issues of Masters of World of Architecture. These issues date back to 1960 and each focuses on a particular architecture icon that is discussed and analyzed wit...

Vintage David White Instrument Co surveying equipment plane utility level in oak case. Has not been tested. Item features a plane utility level, original oak case. Circa early to m...

Presenting an antique walking stick with a carved dog head and silver detailing, hailing from France around 1900. This unique walking stic...

Around the turn of the 19th and 20th century Louis Vuitton had established himself as a market leader in trunk making and needed to set his...

A WWII ship's bell from the Royal Navy minesweeper HMS Queen of Thanet, dated 1941. Pendant number J-30. Diameter: 27cm - 10 ½ inches. Height: 28 cm - 11 inches. HMS Queen of Thanet (J30), formerly HMS Melton, was a Racecourse-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy. She was built by William Hamilton & Company in Port Glasgow, Scotland. Melton was launched in March 1916 with the pennant number 898. During World War I she served with the Auxiliary Patrol. Post-war she was transferred to the Mine Clearance Service. Between the wars Melton was sold to Hughes Bolckow Shipbreaking Co in 1927. She was bought by The New Medway Steam Packet Company in 1929 and converted for excursion work on the River Medway and River Thames. She was renamed Queen of Thanet. For the next twelve years she could be found working from Sheerness and Southend. Regular excursions took her to Gravesend, Margate, Clacton and Dover as well as cross-channel voyages to Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk. In September 1939 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty for minesweeping duties once more and commissioned as HMS Queen of Thanet, pennant number J30. In May 1940 she took part in the Dunkirk evacuation rescuing 4,000 men in four trips. Of that number, 2,000 were transferred from the ex-LNER steamer Prague, after the latter had been damaged by near misses from shells and dive bombers off Gravelines. For Operation Overlord in June 1944 she was stationed at Selsey as the Mulberry Despatch Control Ship. After the war she was returned in 1946 to her owners to recommence excursion work around the Thames Estuary. In January 1949 she was sold to Red Funnel and transferred to Southampton. After refitting at Thorneycroft's yard at Northam she was commissioned in the spring as the company's second Solent Queen. For the next two years she operated excursions from Southampton in the summer. In June 1951 while slipped for survey and repair, she caught fire and was written off as a constructive loss. She was scrapped by Dover Industries Ltd at Dover Eastern Docks in 1951 Literature on HMS Queen of Thanet see: Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships...

Fantastic photo album collecting the best places of the alpine cradle in Switzerland with photographs of various sizes and wonderful panoramic photography that allows us to enjoy a j...

Byrd, Richard E, Alone. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1938. First edition, stated second impression. Signed by Byrd on free end paper. Octavo. Presented in quarter blue Moroccan leather and cloth binding, with gilt titles and stamps to the spine, and a new archival slipcase. Presented is the first edition, stated second impression of Richard E. Byrd's book Alone. It was published in New York by G. P. Putnam’s Sons in 1938. The book is signed by the author on the first free endpage in black ink. Rear admiral Richard E. Byrd (1888-1957) was an American naval officer and recipient of the United States Medal of Honor. Byrd was also known as a pioneering American aviator, polar explorer...

A rare Louis Vuitton cabin trunk covered in leather. Dating to the early part of the 20th century, covered not in the world famous (but more common) monogram canvas but in a single piece of cow hide. These all-leather trunks were made by special order and Louis Vuitton used...

Hard to find a rare vintage wood measuring stick by Lenner.

Byrd, Richard E. Skyward. New York: Blue Ribbon Books, 1931. Octavo. First edition, eleventh printing. In original hardcover boards and original pictorial dust jacket. Presented in a new archival slipcase. This is a 1931 first edition, eleventh printing of Richard Byrd’s Skyward. The book was published in New York by Blue Ribbon Books in 1931. This is the eleventh printing of Skyward, which was first published in 1928. The book is presented in its original hardcover boards and pictorial dust jacket, with a new archival slipcase. Rear admiral Richard E. Byrd (1888-1957) is celebrated as a pioneering American aviator, polar explorer...

Made for one of the most celebrated sports figures of the 20th century, this incredible Cartier presentation tray was gifted to the baseball star Joe DiMaggio...

Blue silk grosgrain military sash. Italian blue silk grosgrain with tassels. Italy, early 20th century. Dimensions: 38" L overa x 3.5" w l; 25" Long to knot.  

A 1950s souvenir building architectural model. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. A beautiful nice desktop item or just a display item in your collecti...

Awesome Brutalist Mid-Century Modern torch cut metal bull sculpture in excellent condition. Circa 1960's. .

An orignal enamel sign that was used as a warning for the people on one the ABC Islands. Papiamentu (or Papiamento) is a mixture of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English, French, a...

MEDAL 1883 Serbian Order of Saint Sava.  

Extraordinary example of WWl Trench Art. Historical significance as this vase is signed by the soldier that crafted it, "Lieutenant Thorburn" including regiment "62nd Reg" and date "1918-19". Also inscribed A. E. F. The AEF helped the French Army on the Western Front during the Aisne Offensive (at the Battle of Château-Thierry and Battle of Belleau Wood...

Augusta National Golf Club, US Masters 1988 Tournament Badge. A pre-owned 1988 US Masters Golf Tournament spectators badge. The eventual winner ...

A rather tongue-in-cheek reverse painting and gilt doubled sided trade sign, reading "CHEAP FUNERALS" flippant to say the least. The sign shows signs...

An extraordinary piece of aviation history. The Spirit of St Louis Collection features: Original parts of the plane from Charles Lindbergh's hist...

Rare English hand painted railway sign. An extremely rare example of an English hand painted on pine board railway sign. Naïve yet highly decorative in...