1940s Collectibles and Curiosities

1950s outdoor wooden croquet set on a red stand; for six players with six different color balls; black, yellow, blue, green, red, and orange, all with a double white stripe around the circumference; with matching croquet mallets; along with two end pegs and nine wire bridges...

Manufactured circa 1944, in commemoration of the World War II American troops, this very sought after collectible; and highly colorful lithograph...

Hallmarked in London in 1947 by Asprey & Co. Ltd., this incredibly stylish, sterling silver hip flask & cigarette case combination, is handsomely made, with an engine turned finish, ...

Carved wooden cane, made of rosewood, with a substantially sized head of an American Bison at the knuckle. The great artistic interpretation has wonderful folk qualities. The handle ...

Green glazed earthenware Passover Seder plate made by Jewish DPs in the Föhrenwald displaced persons camp. Decorated on the rim of the plate is a ...

Hallmarked in London in 1948 by A. Taite & Sons, this Sterling Silver Menorah is traditional in design. The menorah measures 11"(28cm) tall, by 10"(25.5cm) wide, by 4.5"(11.5cm) deep...

First edition, first printing of this classic Madmen-era mixology tome from one of New York's storied nightclubs. 136 pages, 8vo hardcover with price-clipped dust jacket. Cover and t...

An extremely rare Georg Jensen sterling silver PARIS Bracelet No 30, Denmark, C.1945. Set with a large oval cabochon Malachite stone. A similar example with amber is featured in Druc...

An extremely rare Georg Jensen sterling silver PARIS Necklace No 30, Denmark, C.1945. Set with a large oval cabochon Malachite stone. A similar example bracelet with amber is feature...

Hand hammered oval silver tray by David Heinz Gumbel, circa 1940. Signed on the bottom with David Gumbel's hallmark, 925 for sterling silver, and "Palestine". David Heinz Gumbel (given name was Detlev Heinz. He was born in Sinsheim, Germany to a secular family among the pioneers of the local silversmith industry. In 1918, the Gumbels relocated to Heilbronn where David worked as an apprentice in the "Bruckmann & Sons" factory, becoming a certified steel engraver. In the late 1920s, Gumbel studied to be a silversmith at the school of applied arts in Berlin at the Kunstgewerbeschule. Following his studies, Gumbel was employed at workshops in Düsseldorf and Stockholm, as well as in the family factory in Heilbronn. It was there that Gumbel began to design hand-made silver pieces in the modern style. Simultaneously, he produced Jewish ritual objects like a Chanukah menorah...

Upon winding him up with key (provided) this wonderful, articulated "Walking Bear" toy, slowly meanders forward across the floor in a lifelike motion, moving all four legs while shaking his head from side to side. In perfect working order and in excellent all original condition, his plush brown coat of fur is still a rich brown color rather than faded, as seen in lesser condition examples. He even has the original circular label affixed to his under body "Made in Occupied Japan...

WWII American Flag With An Elongated Profile, A Sky Blue Canton, And 48 Six-pointed Stars With Star-of-david Profiles; Probably Made In France Or Belgium To Welcome U.s. Troops Following Liberation From The Germans, circa 1944, An Exceptional Example This extraordinary American flag, with rare symbolism and wonderful graphic qualities, is indicative of examples produced in make-do fashion by the private citizens of Europe. Displayed with great emotion to welcome of Allied Forces following liberation from the Nazi Germany, the flag was probably made in France or Belgium, though found in Germany itself. The most standout feature are the 48 six-pointed stars, with Star-of-David profiles, on a beautiful sky blue canton. The flag’s blood red, burgundy stripes provide great contrast, while inconsistent fading along the top and adjacent to the fly end complete the weathered and well-loved image that is as akin to modern art as can be found in vintage flags of the Second World War. Elongated in shape and with the hoist end turned over and hemmed to form an open sleeve, this is a single-sided banner, lined on the reverse. Like other European-made Stars & Stripes I have encountered from WWI and WWII, the fabrics were selected from whatever could be salvaged during the scarcity of war. The white lining is sturdy, plain weave cotton, probably a bed sheet. The stars are of a similar fabric, but the white used to construct the stripes has more of an open weave, similar to cheesecloth, though not quite as thin. The red is lightweight, plain weave cotton. The canton is cotton as well, but very different, probably a blended fabric with synthetic content. This has an almost ribbed weave, closer to grosgrain in its appearance. The canton was pieced vertically, likely because it what little blue fabric there was of it to complete the task at hand, and it was pieced horizontally along the very top, almost certainly because the canton was made too small initially and had to be extended to fit properly into the striped field. The entire flag was sewn by machine, probably of a treadle-operated variety, given the probability of the lack of electricity during wartime. Use of the Star of David helps date the flags to WWII specifically (U.S. involvement 1941-45). Both the religious and historical significance magnify the importance. Use of a 6-pointed star or "Shield of David / Magen David" is certainly poignant in a WWII flag...