Collectibles and Curiosities

Highly polished ships porthole with clear lacquer finish. Hinged door with five bolts. Ring is engraved Endast Securitglas, Wojidkows, Sweden. Quality piece. Weight: 51 LBS. Over...

Original candid photographic production still for the American romantic musical romantic comedy directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier and Louis Jourdan...

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...

RARE, GREEN GLASS & ROPE FISHING FLOAT OR BUOY, c.1910 from a collection of similar floats of different sizes, there are four this size and some smaller Exuding character and injecting atmosphere and conversation. The idiosyncrasies within the glass make them interesting and more valuable to collectors. Can be placed in the home or the garden The green glass ball...

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...

Traditional religious wood wall artwork of a cross. Made in Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina...

AUTHOR: MALORY, Thomas, (Arthur Rackham). TITLE: The Romance Of King Arthur And His Knights Of The Round Table. PUBLISHER: London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1917. DESCRIPTIO...

Rare Kay Bojesen wooden toy elephant from the early 1950s in patinated oak with an amazing grain. The Elephant was created in 1953 by Kay Bojesen and from the start handmade in his s...

Framed maritime signal flag representing the letter “U” in the international code of signals. This authentic pennant is made of individual panels of red and white cotton. Fitted to a...

Framed maritime signal flag representing the “ANSWERING PENNANT” in the international code of signals. This authentic and ocean used pennant is made of individual panels of red and w...

Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...

Beautiful vintage crucifix of fine Italian manufacture from the 1950s. The vintage crucifix was made with nickel plated iron and gilded bronze. The v...

Cabinet of curiosities of plaster baby Jesus on a wooden stand. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. Olot has a long tradition in the production of sculptures and religious imagery. The art and industry of religious statuary...

Vintage Tricle Bakelite Olympic tape Measure Peoples Republic of China Wonderful vintage tape measure has a cover made from dappled rich dar...

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

Mid-20th century hand painted baby Jesus figure made of plaster in the cradle. Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consiste...

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

Carved wooden antique French barometer with thermometer Unusual antique carved wooden barometer in a lovely carved case, working order. Number 9432 ...

Framed maritime signal flag representing the letter “I”, “INDIA” in the international code of signals. This authentic and ocean used pennant is made of individual panels of yellow an...

A cast bronze necklace titled " "Le Bélier" (the Ram) by French Parisin art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997). The ram necklace and its variations were con...

Framed maritime signal flag representing the letter “Y” in the international code of signals. This authentic and ocean used pennant is made of individual panels of red and yellow. Fi...

Vintage Globe from the 1950s. Specially made on the subject of aviation. Depicted with all kinds of flying lines. Made by the company M.S. Germany. The globe is made of Tin and the stand is Bakelite. Globe and stand...

Original travel poster come to Britain for racing by Lionel Edwards. A striking horse racing poster by Lionel Edwards entitled 'Come to Britain for Racing'. The Travel Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland published the chromolithograph to promote Britain as a holiday destination and it was printed in Great Britain by W.S. Cowell Ltd. London & Ipswich. The emblem of the 'Travel Association of the U.K, of Gt. Britain & N. Ireland' is in the bottom left-hand corner. The poster is a beautiful and colourful illustration, it is in good condition with no visible folding creases. This original vintage horse racing poster features an image of jockeys on their horses warming up before the start of the race. Spectators are lining both sides of the racetrack and a crowded grandstand can be seen in the distance. Newly framed and mounted, frame size 84cm high by 59cm wide. Other posters in the series were 'Come to Britain for Fishing' by Norman Wilkinson, 'Come to Britain for Golf...

A rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill Aquarium table lighter (made in England) with silver-plated metal work Each of these lighters are very rare and unique as they were hand carved and ...

Framed maritime signal flag representing the number “7”, “SEVEN” in the international code of signals. This authentic and ocean used pennant is made of individual panels of yellow an...

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...

Framed maritime signal flag representing the number “7”, “SEVEN” in the international code of signals. This authentic pennant is made of individual panels of yellow and red. Fitted t...

Antique wood meter. By unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Materials: Woo...

Handsome leather and ceramic smoking set by Longchamp. Cigarette holder opens up to reveal a cigarette dispenser which fans out and compacts back down when pushing back into the jar. Stamped with Lonchamp - France and logo on the base of the ashtray. Cigarette holder bears a ceramic horse on the front giving the set an equestrian theme. Each piece wrapped in saddle leather with contrast stitching. Brown ceramic dish sewn into leather. Great sculptural piece. Perfect ashtray or bowl for keys...

Framed maritime signal flag representing the number “7”, “SEVEN” in the international code of signals. This authentic and ocean used pennant is made of individual panels of yellow an...

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...

Framed maritime signal flag representing the number “7”, “SEVEN” in the international code of signals. This authentic and ocean used pennant is made of individual panels of red and y...

Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin in a wooden niche. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original cond...

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...

AUTHOR: SLOANE, William Milligan. TITLE: The Life Of Napoleon Bonaparte. PUBLISHER: London: The Times Book Club, 1912. DESCRIPTION: NEW REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION. 4 vols., 8" ...

Important relief earth globe representing the oceans and the continents. The globe is made of painted plexiglas, fixed to the marble base by a brass axis. France around 1950.

AUTHOR: STEEL, Flora Annie (Arthur Rackham). TITLE: English Fairy Tales. Retold by Flora Annie Steel. PUBLISHER: NY: Macmillan Co., 1918. DESCRIPTION: LARGE PAPER LIMITED E...

Mid-Century Modern, sterling silver-mounted Honeywell barometer, Baldwin and Miller Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, Ca. 1950's. Barometer mechanism itself is made by the Honeywell Compan...

Traditional plaster dog figure. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent wit...

Rustic wooden spindles and yarn ends, by unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and us...

Traditional religious plaster wall artwork of a church. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, w...

Framed maritime signal flag representing the letter “Q”, “QUEBEC” in the international code of signals. This authentic and ocean used pennant with a large yellow field. Fitted to a h...

We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982.If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All F...

Beautiful large heavy Mid-Century Modern brass holy water stand by Vereinigte Werkstätten. Manufactured by Vereinigte Werkstätten in the 1950s. Made in Ge...

Santiago de Compostela memorabilia metallic figure. Made Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...

A rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill aquarium table lighter (made in England) with chrome plated metal work Each of these lighters are very rare and unique as they were hand carved and painted and no one look exactly similar. Ben Shillingford (1904-2000) commenced to work for Dunhill in the late 1940s as a Master Engraver. The “Aquarium” Collection was launched in 1949 and it ceased at the end of the 1950s following Ben Shillingford’s retirement, simply because his mastery could never be equaled. No two aquarium lighters are the same, each and every piece was uniquely handmade, carved, painted and assembled by Ben Shillingford and his team. The vast majority depict fish and various aquatic scenes, however, other subjects such as ships, birds and hunting scenes were produced in very small numbers. “Aquarium” lighters were made in four different sizes namely the “Giant”, the “Half-Giant”, the “Standard” and the “Service” with three kinds of metal finishes available: gold-plated, silver plated and chrome-plated. This one has green background colours with paintings of water...

Carl Auböck ashtray with glow plug, signed, rare original piece from Austria 1950 , good original condition with slight traces of use

Traditional religious plaster figure of Jesus Christ. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age...

Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Belgium by A. de Lambert. High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade) Unusual design with high relief C-scrolls and flowers in Rococo style (from theArt Nouveau' period) with a lovely walnut case/. Equipment in full working order. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any further questions.

 With best wishes, Geert 
Early Bird Gallery...

1950s Vintage Native sterling silver brooch pendant Aztec Pin Made in Mexico Maker Stamped from Mexico 2 w x 2.5 tall x .13 thickness Preowned original vintage condition See imag...

A salon dog from Germany for your french fashion doll. Glass amber eyes with black pupils, black nose and wooden sticky legs. Lots of clean fluffy ...

Mid-Century Modern color sculpture In good original condition with wear consistent of age and use, preserving a really beautiful patina. Measurements: 39 cm H x 12 cm W x 12...

Chelsea and Other English Porcelain Pottery and Enamel in the Irwin Untermyer Collection by Yvonne Hackenbroch. Published in London for The Metropolitan Museum of History and Art by ...

Auböck brass and leather pipe holder, signed, 1950 Vienna Austria.

Traditional religious handpainted plaster wall artwork. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, w...

Handles Borsani.

Set of two traditional plaster dog figures. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consis...

(1933-1988) This finely crafted wood totem pole is by Ditidaht/Nuu-Chah-Nulth master carver Raymond Williams, the father of the current generation of William's carvers. The carved totem pole features and eagle, frog, and an orca. Signed on back. Also marked "hand carved Indian made from the Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe, Seattle, WA 1899." 19"H x 5" Raymond Williams was the son of Sam Williams...