Historical Memorabilia

A cast iron press from 20th Century Belgium. Originally purposed as a book-binding press used in such places as banks or libraries, this unique antiquity suggests a niche function, w...

A fantastic vintage Boho Coca Cola machine. A fully operable machine in excellent vintage condition. Includes the key. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.

Vintage baseball hall of famer Roberto Clemente commemorative brass medallion, circa 1973. The Roberto Clemente Commemorative Clemente medal was one ...

Mid century Bel-Air Bantam electric sewing machine and case. Black metal body with gold painted accents. Made in Japan. Serial number B509767A. Features Bell Electric Universal Motor...

Decorative set consisting of five antique or almost antique horse hair and badger hair paint brushes. This is the real deal, each of these craftsman...

Made in the 1900s in France and traditionally employed for weighing fruits and vegetables, this antique scale features two metal weighing pans suspended from gracefully curved arms. ...

From pasta primavera to world-renowned decadent desserts, Le Cirque's ubiquitous reputation for presenting its fine dining fare with whimsy and fun, landed it on the map of must-dine...

This cast iron scale was made in France, circa 1900. A household and marketplace classic, scales of these dimensions were commonly used to weigh fruits and vegetables. Fully function...

Presented is an exclusive Apollo 11 Signature Collage. The celebratory and collectible collage is composed of a Sea of Tranquility photograph signed by astronaut Buzz Aldrin, a signed Neil Armstrong cut signature, and a Apollo 11 mission patch. In the midst of the Cold War, President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech stating his intent to place a man on the moon: "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish." The effort to place a man on the moon was named Project Apollo. Through multiple attempts, the United States NASA program was prepared to complete their voyage to the moon with Apollo 11. Apollo 11 successfully fulfilled the manned mission to the moon on July 20, 1969. Neil Armstrong was the first to step on the moon, with Buzz Aldrin following him a few minutes later. Armstrong's first step onto the lunar surface was broadcast on live television to a worldwide audience. He described the event as "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Apollo 11 effectively ended the Space Race and fulfilled the national goal proposed by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. This collage commemorates the feats of the Apollo 11 mission with authentic elements, including signatures, photographs, and a mission patch. At the top of the collage is a color photograph of Buzz Aldrin on the moon, taken on July 21, 1969 by Neil Armstrong as they explored the Sea of Tranquility region. Aldrin is depicted on the lunar surface and if you look closely, you can see a reflection of Armstrong in Aldrin’s visor. Aldrin signed the satin-finish photograph in blue felt-tipped ink. The signature reads "Buzz Aldrin/ Apollo XI." Below, is a small card with Neil Armstrong's signature. The signature reads "Neil Armstrong" in felt tipped pen. To the left of the signature is an Apollo 11 mission patch. The patch features a wingspread eagle landing on the moon with the words “Apollo 11” written atop it in gold stitching. The card and patch are accompanied by black and white NASA photograph of Neil Armstrong. CONDITION: Buzz Aldrin signed Sea of Tranquility photograph. Aldrin signs in blue felt tip, as "Buzz Aldrin." Signature is legible, without smudges or fading. The gorgeous satin-finish photo is in near fine condition. Photograph measures 8" H x 10" W. Neil Armstrong signed...

Incredible 1970 Mercedes Benz 406 Unimog in gold. Sold with a matching late 1960s Rokon Trailbreaker motorcycle strapped to the truckbed. Extremely heavy duty and powerful Mercedes t...

From pasta primavera to world-renowned decadent desserts, Le Cirque's ubiquitous reputation for presenting its fine dining fare with whimsy and fun, landed it on the map of must-dine destinations in New York for glitterati and foodies alike. No matter the location, monkeys and circus themes remained a design staple of the iconic restaurant. Although the landmark restaurant's NYC doors are now closed, Black Rock Galleries is pleased to offer items from the famed restaurant. Villeroy & Boch custom porcelain shallow bowls made for Le Cirque restaurants. Plate with one long-tailed monkey with heart jewel...

A rare set of Mick Jagger handwritten Rolling Stones lyrics Written for a previously unknown, unpublished song Believed to date from a significant period, circa 1965 A small sheet ...

An Antique Vintage Hammer Tool Stacked Leather Handle Forged Iron No markings. 14.63 H x 6W x 1.25 D inches Presents in Original Unrestored...

1940s Antique Silver Telephone Western Electric Bell System Rotary dial vintage Phone with ringer untested. 9 w x 5 d x 5 h Selling as is presented v...

Unusual paper suffrage pennant, with bold and whimsical, western style lettering, circa 1915 American Suffragette pennant, in a very rare format, with text that reads “Votes for Women,” in a combination of two bold, Western-style fonts. Made of golden yellow paper, with the lettering printed in black, the profile is an unusual one. Linear for approximately 2/5 of its length, the remainder tapers to a point. An example in this style is documented in "The Keynoter: Journal of the American Political Items Conservators," Summer/Fall/Winter 2008 (Women's Suffrage Special Triple Issue), Volume 2008, Number 2-4, p.133. This periodical is the best printed reference that presently exists on Suffrage objects. Golden yellow was the customary color of the suffrage movement in America, a tradition that began with the first actual campaign to give women the right to vote. This took place in 1867 in Kansas, the first state to hold a referendum on the issue when suffragists Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Stanton focused their efforts there and wore sunflowers—the state flower—in a show of support, as well as yellow ribbons. The flower was an appropriate emblem for a rising sun and growth, which led to its use in other states, and the color carried over to many other objects employed in the campaign for years to come. In England, green, white, and purple / violet were introduced in 1908 and became the colors of the movement, which gave way to a nice acronym for “Give Women the Vote.” Various groups used these colors also, in the States, sometimes substituting golden yellow for green. Mounting: The textile was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert staff. We take great care in the mounting and presentation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples. This is a pressure mount...

48 star, crocheted, antique american flag of the wwii era (1941-1945), a beautiful, homemade example, with a red, white, & blue hoist and flower-like stars: Crocheted American fla...

Cordite buckets were used by the British navy to carry cordite, a propellant that was used to replace gunpowder. Because of their purpose, cordite buckets were built using specific m...

A fine hand woven basket featuring Ye'kuana Wuwa (Wiwa) - Monkeys. This basket is a unique piece of art made by the hands of the Ye'kuana women ...

A Second World War British trench periscope in case, by H.G.P. dated 1945. In original case. Prism housing marked: PERISCOPE No 14A MK III X 10 Ø 4° H.G.P. 1945 REGd No 8960 O.S. G.A. Each section of body stamped: 141 Length of periscope: 42 cm. Length of handle: 31 cm. Leather lens cap, and detachable sun shade...

A stylish mannequin lamp designed by Nigel Coates, made for Jigsaw Clothing Company, Knightsbridge, London. Made in aluminium with sectional constructed...

This WWI poster features a woman wearing long robes holding a red cross symbol in her right hand and an American flag in her left. The figure is set in fro...

Along with paper, ink, and inkstone, the brush was part of the Four Treasures found in a scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the ...

COLORADO STATE FLAG OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY, MADE OF SILK, CIRCA 1911-1920’s, EXTRAORDINARILY RARE IN THIS PERIOD AND THE EARLIEST EXAMPLE THAT I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED Early state flags are few and far between. While I am asked for them constantly, most states did not actually have official flags until the 20th century. On May 6th, 1911, Colorado became among the last to adopt a design. The project of doing so was spearheaded by the Denver Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The bill was introduced by Senator W.H. Sharply and adopted by the Eighteenth General Assembly. The artwork was the product of A.C. [Andrew Carlisle] Carson, President of the Ohio Society of Colorado. The meanings behind the elements in the design are as follows: The large letter "C" stands for Colorado and simultaneously for the Centennial State (Colorado entered the Union in 1876, the year in which our nation celebrated its 100th anniversary of independence), as well as the Columbine State (reflecting the state flower). The red color is included due to the fact that the word Colorado translates to scarlet or red in Spanish. The circle represents the sun, while the gold color symbolizes all-the-year sunshine, Colorado’s status as the greatest gold state, and one Columbine color. It was also included so that the Colorado state flag would have one more color than the U.S. flag. The color white reflects Colorado’s status as the greatest silver state, its eternal mountain snow, and one Columbine color. Lastly, the shade of Yale blue symbolizes all-the-year blue sky and one Columbine Color. Members of the D.A.R. were proud to note that this was also their color. Made sometime between the initial year of the adoption of this design and the 1920’s, this particular flag is the earliest Colorado example that I have ever encountered. The blue and white bars, red “C,” and golden circle are a’’ made of silk taffeta. This was a costly fabric, reserved for the best material a flag-maker produced. The flag is constructed in the manner of a battle flag, to be carried on foot. Squarish in its overall profile, silk was the fabric of choice for flags employed in this function, due to the fact that it was light weight, and thus practical for hand-carrying, while simultaneously formal in appearance, appropriate for the sort of ceremonial use that military presentation often demands. The style of the hoist is also typical for field or parade use. Here the fabric was rolled over to form an open sleeve, through which a wooden staff could be inserted. The sleeve is lined on the interior with black cotton. Leather tabs, at the top and bottom, fit over metal posts on the staff, designed to accept them, to fix the flag in its proper position. The bars were pieced and joined with lineal machine stitching. The hoist and fly ends were finished and hemmed by the same method. The devices are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a machine buttonhole / blanket stitch. Though machines that produced buttonholes were, remarkably, available alongside the earliest standard machines, in the 1850’s and 60’s, the use of this sort of stitch in a running format, for appliqué work, remained highly unusual, even as late as the first half of the twentieth century, probably because it used a ton of thread when compared to the zigzag or satin stitch. It could be expected to appear more often in the hands of a maker of very fine flags, that employed embroidery machines and commissioned custom, fancy work of all sorts. Though unsigned—in no way uncommon in early examples, which were seldom signed—that is precisely the sort of firm that produced the Colorado flag...

46 star antique American flag in an exceptionally small scale among its pieced-and-sewn counterparts, reflects oklahoma statehood, circa 1907-1912: 46 star American national flag in a tiny and very rare scale among its counterparts of the period with pieced-and-sewn construction. The 46th state, Oklahoma, joined the Union on November 16th, 1907, during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency. Roosevelt had many friends in the Oklahoma Territory...

13 HAND-EMBROIDERED STARS AND EXPERTLY HAND-SEWN STRIPES ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG MADE IN PHILADELPHIA BY SARAH M. WILSON, GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER OF BETSY ROSS, SIGNED & DATED 1911: ...

Italian modern plexiglass and glass mercury wall thermometer, 1980s Old mercury thermometer for wall, Coming from an old doctor's office site in Mil...

Early 20th century earth globe. Wooden base and Globus made of plaster and paper. As you can see in one photo the paper has been damaged in this one plac...

A rare 8" by 10" signed photograph of The Beatles Signed in 1965 and gifted to a crew member on their film 'Help!' The Beatles are the biggest-sell...

Original US film poster for the 1995 James Bond film Goldeneye. This film starred Pierce Brosnan as 007 and was directed by Martin Campell. The photo used to create this poster was...

48 crocheted stars on a very graphic, three-dimensional flag made from silk ribbon and crocheted rings, WWI Era (U.S. involvement 1917-18) Homemade, ha...

Rare violet & yellow Suffragette parade banner, the plate example illustrated in the text reference on the subject, made ca 1910-1920. Hand-painted banners...

A rare and historic programme signed by the Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Georgia-born preacher Martin Luther King Jr (1929 - 1968) was the de facto leader of the Ameri...

Margaret Thatcher and state of Qatar, Garrard & Co. Silver gilt presentation set, London, 1983. MARK OF GARRARD LTD, LONDON, 1983 A Three piece Elizabeth II, silver and silver ...

Rare & Beautiful American Parade Flag With Images Of Teddy Roosevelt And His Great White Fleet, 1907-1909, Ex-richard Pierce Collection: 46 star parade ...

Dated to the early 20th century, this fine calligraphy brush would have been an essential tool for a Qing-dynasty scholar-official, used to draft official documents or compose poetry...

Estate collection large genuine natural gold nugget from Australia gold nugget weighs approximately 269.5 grams. tested at local refinery purity of .94405. 2.75 wide x 2.31 depth x ...

Indiana State Flag With Square-like Proportions, An Offset Device, And Gold Fringe, Circa 1930-1955: Despite the fact that most of the United States joined the Union during the 18...

Antique vintage ice pick tools rustic Dimensions: 4.5 x 1.13 / 4.13 x .88 inches Unrestored vintage distressed condition. Weathered and worn. Wear and u...

AMBIANIC presents Antique Small Leather Money Purse Wallet Coin Pouch Change Purse Belt Accessory Distressed Aged Leather Small Wallet with Buckle Closure....

Jewish tin charity box, New York, USA, circa 1950. Inscribed on the front and on the back "Brother and sister in Israel" and "It feels wonderful to be a b...

EXTRAORDINARILY RARE, YELLOW & WHITE, SUFFRAGE PARASOL / UMBRELLA, WITH “VOTES FOR WOMEN” TEXT, DISTRIBUTED BY THE NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION UNDER ANNA HOWARD SHAW’S LEADERSHIP [HEADQUARTERED IN NEW YORK], CIRCA 1913-1915: In the world of Suffrage memorabilia, parasols and umbrellas are known to have been produced, but hardly any exist. Made in both Britain and America, most of the organizations known to have commissioned them did so with white or purple, green, and white, utilizing the traditional British colors. In America, some of these can be identified to the Women’s Political Union of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. As for those in the traditional American colors of golden yellow and white, typically with black text, examples are known to have been produced and sold by the National American Women’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA), beginning in the summer of 1913. According to author and expert Ken Florey, the organization peddled them for “one dollar each or ten dollars a dozen…[promoting] them as good for advertising the cause at street meetings, summer resorts, and county fairs. The design consisted of yellow and white in alternate sections, with “Votes for Women” in the white sections.” Florey goes on to explain how some umbrellas in this style are known with names of states hand-painted in the yellow panels. I am aware of Oregon and Idaho. Florey also indicates that one is known for Alaska. His discussion of the subject, and an illustration of the Idaho example, appear in his book, "Women's Suffrage Memorabilia" (2013, McFarland & Co., North Carolina), on pp. 192 and A8, respectively. The Oregon example, which have seen and held first-hand, is illustrated in "The Keynoter: Journal of the American Political Items Conservators," Summer/Fall/Winter 2008 (Women's Suffrage Special Triple Issue), Vol. 2008, No. 2-4, p. 110. In “Woman Suffrage Memorabilia,” Florey describes a heavy demand for parade accoutrements in the 19-teens. Despite the supposed numbers in which these yellow and white umbrellas were likely to have been produced, this is the only example that I am aware has actually surfaced with the “Votes for Women” text only and no state names. This makes it far more universally desirable. A period image survives in the Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center (Rochester, New York,) of a women carrying parasols in this style on Main Street West in that city on August 15, 1914. The marchers, masked, were described as wearing yellow dominoes (nun-style dresses) and carrying yellow parasols. According to museum catalogers, “The outside parasols are plain; those on the inside have the inscription, "Votes for women". The first group, in yellow and blue dominoes, advertised the speech and visit of Dr. Anna Howard Shaw [this would be members of the Empire Campaign Committee]. The second group carried placards with the names of equal suffrage states and the dates when they adopted votes for women. The Club Theatre, whose sign advertising "Burlesque" is clearly visible behind the marchers, occupies the premises at 75 Main Street West formerly occupied by the Shubert Theatre.” The National American Women’s Suffrage Association was formed in 1890. It represented a merging of the two largest Suffrage groups in America before that time. These were the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA), formed in 1869 by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA), also formed in 1869 by Lucy Stone and her Husband, Henry Brown Blackwell, Henry Ward Beecher, and others. Stone’s daughter, Alice Stone...

IRONSTONE PLATE WITH "VOTES FOR WOMEN" TEXT, MADE JOHN MADDOCK & SONS FOR SUFFRAGIST ALVA BELMONT FOR MARBLE HOUSE, HER FAMOUS ESTATE IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, CIRCA 1914: Porcelain objects related to the Suffrage movement are extremely scarce. The most celebrated of all American suffrage dinnerware consists of a service of white ironstone, commissioned by Alva Belmont,* prominent Newport, Rhode Island, socialite. Belmont was the founder of a pro-suffrage group called the Political Equality Association. According to Suffrage memorabilia expert Ken Folley, "There are at least eight different examples known in this design, including a cup and saucer, a lunch or dinner plate, a salad or bread plate, a berry bowl, a soup bowl, a celery dish...

EXTREMELY RARE U.S. WAR DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONING PENNANT WITH 13 STARS, A REVERSAL OF THE U.S. NAVY COLOR SCHEME, TWENTY-FOUR FEET ON THE FLY, SP...

"EQUAL SUFFRAGE FOR MICHIGAN IN 1916," ADVERTISING FAN FOR THE BISSELL 'CYCO BALL BEARING CARPET SWEEPER,' COMMISSIONED BY ANNA BISSELL (1846-1934), AMERICA'S FIRST FEMALE CEO Oriental-made, twill-woven silk fan with gilt lettering that reads : "Bissell's 'Cyco Ball Bearing Carpet Sweeper' makes sweeping easy," set within an interesting, open, geometric design. A purposefully curved, paper label beneath was applied by the "Michigan Equal Suffrage Association, Kalamazoo, 405 So. Burdick St.," whose byline is along the bottom. On it, a terrific message reads: "OVER 100,000 WOMEN pay taxes in Michigan on property assessed at $177,596,938. In 1910 OVER 175,000 MICHIGAN WOMEN signed a petition sent to Congress asking for Equal Suffrage. 247,373 MICHIGAN MEN voted...

This is a printed silk handkerchief from the interwar period, with an Italian aviation theme. This handkerchief features four early aircraft plane models, two of which are seaplanes. The inner field of the handkerchief is pale blue and contained by a black three-line waving border. The outer field is medium blue, with a darker blue at each corner. A white and black fasces rests in each corner. The center of the silk features a golden spread-wing eagle. Above the eagle’s head floats a gold crown. The eagle’s talons grip a shield printed with the Savoy arms, a white cross on a red field. Two gold fasces adorn either side of the shield. In most historical accounts of the early days of military aviation, our reverence for the activities of the American Expeditionary Force and its French and British companions-in-arms on the western front has led us to overlook the immense Italian contribution to the formation of airpower doctrine. The first aerial force projection occurred on Nov. 1, 1911, when Lt. Giulio Gravotta, flying a German-built monoplane, dropped one bomb on Zard and another on Taciura -- in Libya -- during the Italian-Turkish War. This event occurred just a little more than a year after the first flight of an Italian-designed and built aircraft. At about the same time, Gianni Caproni, a young Italian engineer with a passion for innovation and a vast admiration for the Wright brothers, built his first flying machine. By May 23, 1915, the day Italy entered World War I, Caproni had become Italy's leading aircraft designer and manufacturer. Caprooni designed and built a multi-engine bomber with range and bomb capacities to make it a potent offensive weapon. On Aug. 20, 1915, two of these Caproni three-engine bombers attacked the Aisovizza aerodrome with explosive and incendiary bombs, a preview of the most sustained, effective air offensive of the First World War. By early 1916, regular raids against Austro-Hungarian targets were being conducted by seven squadrons of Caproni bombers, with some 540 bombing missions flown by the year's end. Missions were on the increase, both in distance to targets and number of aircraft involved. In late 1917, due to the lack of suitable training facilities in the United States, a contingent of some 500 Americans were sent to Foggia, Italy, to learn military flying. After completing their training, the new pilots were commissioned in the Army Air Service, and the majority of them were sent to France to serve with the American Expeditionary Force. About 75 remained in Italy under the command of Capt. Fiorello LaGuardia...

Presented is an original "If You Want to Fight! / Join the Marines" World War I poster by Howard Chandler Christy from 1915. This taunting and daring recruitment poster urges the public to join the Marines. The work features the artist's signature in the lithograph stone, as well as a stunning depiction of a woman dressed in a Marines uniform at center. Christy played with the idea of confusing gender roles, as shown here with a woman pictured in a traditionally masculine role. This aimed to seduce men into joining the service. Howard Chandler Christy (1872-1952) was an illustrator whose work appeared in countless magazines, books, and posters. Christy's subjects ranged from romantic interludes in high-society New York to historic battles on the Scottish Highlands. His female depictions became so well known that they were dubbed "the Christy Girl...

“THE MAN WITH A HEART, THE PARTY WITH A SOUL”: FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT POSTER, MADE FOR HIS 1936 PRESIDENTIAL RUN, THE BEST OF ALL KNOWN EXAMPLES ACROS...

Rare deadstock Andre Courreges maxi-skirt in a quintessential springtime pastel mint, made of pique cotton, with white front snap closure. Retains original French tags and basted lin...

Collection of Masonic keepsakes consisting of two silver round lidded containers both showing different symbols of Freemasonry. Lidded containers may have been used to hold a ring, c...

ELONGATED PENNANT MADE FOR THE 1912 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT & HIRAM JOHNSON, WHEN THEY RAN ON THE INDEPENDENT, BULL MOOSE / PROGRESSIVE PARTY TICKET: Elongated,...

Madonna (1958-) is a globally-successful singer, toppling the music charts internationally since the 1980s. She is famed and admired for her ability to constantly reinvent her image. Madonna has reached a staggering level of success, selling over 250 million records, achieving the Guinness World Record for the world's most successful female recording artist of all time. This signed card by Madonna measures 3" x 5". Written in blue ink...

Yousuf Karsh was a Canadian photographer of Armenian heritage. He is recognised as the one of the greatest portrait photographers of all time. Karsh a Fifty-Year Retrospective ...

Original Japanese film poster for a Jean-Luc Godard Festival in 1970.

Original US film poster for Sergio Leone's Classic Spaghetti Western staring Clint Eastwood.

Original Japanese film poster for Ingmar Bergmans 1966 drama. This is one of the very best looking posters on this title.           

British route sign on fabric, ready to hang. Highlighting: Wallace Arnold, excursion express, private, racing on tour, Barnard castle.