Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

A circular shape brooch in gilt bronze by French art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997), circa 1940s-1950s. It depicts what appears to be figures of saints on a crossed background with...

Sleek and sporty, this mid-20th century child's car was manufactured by Saibro in India. It features a mesh grille, padded seat, metal pedals, rubber tires, and proudly wears racing ...

This larger scale solid silver presentation model depicts a traditional Maltese sailing or fishing boat. The model is beautifully handmade in solid silver with Maltese silver hallmar...

Hand hammered silver plate Kiddush cup with applied Hebrew text: "Peace be within your walls". Signed on the bottom. Kiddush cup is a ceremonial vessel to hold wine for the blessing said at Shabbat and Jewish holidays meals. 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...

Wonderful cross with micro mosaic inlays, it is an early example of a souvenir - perhaps from a pilgrimage - to Rome, Italy, made in the 1920s / 30s. This so-called Grand Tour objec...

An Italian matchbox case with ceramic 'Amalfi' coast decorative tile, circa mid-20th century, Italy. A beautiful, colorful Italian ceramic tile with Amalfi coast scene holding four (...

Original 1940 Swiss-made gold-filled Men's dress watch by Helbros features an elegant Art Deco design with a unique tonneau-shaped case. The watch is adorned with rubies at the corne...

Rigged ship model of the merchant brig "Volante" of Boston. Solid hull with scribed basswood deck. Details include cabins, wheel, grating, skylight, water casks, lifeboats, etc. Moun...

Boucheron silver and vermeil minaudière French, circa 1960 Measures: Minaudière: Height 2.5cm, width 13cm, depth 8.5cm Case: Height 4cm, width 18cm...

Vintage, Alpine Ski Photograph. 'Three Peaks', a new mounted black and white photographic image after an original 1930s skiing photograph. Black and white alpine photos are the perfect addition to any home or ski lodge, so please do check out our other ski photos...

Billiard, snooker, pool cue tipper. A very good quality billiard / snooker cue tipper, made from boxwood with brass fittings and steel file attached on a cha...

This advertising pend holder was produced by P.W. Baston, also known as Sebastian Miniatures, of the United States in approximately 1960 in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The figurine is composed of a glazed ceramic with a brass and plastic pen holder. The figurine depicts of business woman...

We love seeing this sitting atop antique books on a coffee or side table as well as functional on a desk in an office. Fantastic patina on this vintage magnifying glass.

Color print from the 1950s depicting Gabardini monoplane aircraft designed in 1912 by Giuseppe Gabardini and built in Tagliedo in the province of Milan. Mounted on faesite and glass ...

Vintage Woven Silver Link Bracelet 7.88 long x .63 w Preowned vintage Refer to images listed please

This store display was made for the English film manufacturer, Ilford to advertise their Selo film line during the 1960s in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The frame of the disp...

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...

Rotary Table Telephone S62 designed by Lino Saltini in 1962 for Telecomunicazion Siemens AUSO. This example is from the 4th edition of the phone out of ten editions of the same model...

Spanish wood Montserrat virgin statue made of painted. Made in Barcelona, Spain. The Classic religious figure is beautifully ornate and has wonderful details throughout her rob...

A vintage Italian ceramic lighter by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1960. In brilliant tones of maraschino and pewter, and featuring a geometric harlequin motif in the glaze. Needs li...

Green marble canister with cream veining features a brass and stainless steel lid. Originally a cigarette holder, it would be perfect for it's intended use or a vessel for q-tips or ...

Desk cigarettes humidor box with lighter designed by Ronson. This is an amazing desk cigarettes box & touch-tip lighter, created in New Jersey United States by The Ronson Lighter Co. during the art deco period, back in the 1937. This is a rare near mint box with a single lid with a five-barrels hinge and an integrated touch tip striker lighter. It was designed with strong geometric patterns and crafted in solid chromed steel. Embellished with black lacquer, creating a great color contrast and the interiors are lined up with natural cedar wood. Extremely well made and solid construction with great care and attention to details. This surely is a very decorative piece and should be a great conversation item. Model: 16268. Country: New Jersey, United States. Period: Art Deco, 1937. Materials: Chromed steel, cedar wood, black lacquer. Weight: 897.5 Grams, (1.96 Pounds). Measurements: 203 mm by 102 mm by 89 mm (8.0 x 4.0 x 3.5 Inches). Marks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed, "FASHIONED BY RONSON NEWARK NJ US PATS BRITISH PAT IN CANADA 1935 NEWARK NJ-USA-ART METAL WORKS INC. RONSON-TOUCH-TIP ". The Ronson Lighter Company The company started as The Art Metal Works in 1897 and was incorporated on July 20, 1898, by Max Hecht, Louis Vincent Aronson and Leopold Herzig, in Newark, New Jersey. Louis V. Aronson was a huge creative driving force for the company; and, with a few business adjustments, including the addition of Alexander Harris (1910–11) as Business Manager, the company soon became World Famous. In the 1910s The Art Metal Works were producing very good quality Hood Ornaments and gained a reputation as a dependable supplier of same. All accounts state that Louis Aronson was a gifted man, who at 16 years old set up a money-making shop in his parent's home - before receiving a U.S. patent for a commercially valuable metal-plating process he developed when he was 24 years old, and he sold half the rights while retaining the Right to Use. "His experiments, which he has been conducting since his early youth, resulted in 1893 in the discovery of a process for electrically producing tinplate. Much money was expended upon improving the process... and has been of great practical value to the whole industry. Retaining its rights, he sold half the patent rights, and later used part of the proceeds to open the Art Metal Works in Newark, N.J. Soon the company was producing a variety of high-quality Lamps, Book ends, Art Statues and other decorative items, prized today for their detail in the collector marketplace. Louis Vincent Aronson Louis Vincent Aronson was an American inventor, industrialist and philanthropist who is best remembered as the inventor of Ronson lighters. "He was a son of Simon and Jennie Aronson, who were natives of Prussia. He was born December 25, 1869, in New York City, and there his boyhood was spent. Aronson was an exceptionally gifted young man who graduated from public school at the age of 12 before entering a New York Technical School specializing in metallurgy, practical metal working and mechanical drawing. At the same time, he set up a laboratory in the basement of his parents' home where he experimented with plating processes and turned-out money-making items while he devised ways of metalizing common items, in a durable finish of matte gold, including flowers, butterflies, animal claws and baby shoes. Aronson natural ability for designing was honed at the technical school and served him well throughout his life. He excelled and completed the School four year academic program in three years. When he graduated in 1886, at the age of 16, he was qualified as an Expert Metallurgist, Draftsman and Designer, he also had a high-level knowledge of Chemistry. He returned to the school five years later as an instructor in metallurgy for several years before devoting all his time to his own company. When he was 24 years old, he sold the rights to a commercially valuable metal plating process according to Urban Cummings book Ronson, The World’s Greatest Lighters, Wick Lighters 1913–2000. He gained public recognition when he won an award in 1893 from the Belgian government for the creation of the first non-toxic match, and young businessman Aronson received 50,000 Francs, equaling $10,000 in U.S. dollars. In 1897 he received a U.S. patent (592,227) for a match design (called the Wind-match) that would light in windy conditions or when wet. He continued working on his match designs including inventing the “Birds Eye” or “Kitchen” match that had a dual-tip design in 1903; this was an important safety improvement because friction matches of the day would sometimes light accidentally especially when stepped on or while in one’s pocket. He realized that placing a small friction ignition chemical on the tip instead of the entire match-head greatly limited accidental ignition. This style of match is still in use today. Literature: Urban K. Cummings, Ronson, the World's Greatest Lighter: Wick Lighters 1913-1966 Bird Dog Books, California. 1992. Pp-168 Figure-187 for this box illustrated. Note: This piece and the touch-tip lighter are empty of any flammable, gas or butane substances and is ready to be ship by any carrier, Condition: The overall condition of this Ronson cigarettes...

Hand-engraved perpetual calendar in brass. Shaped as a lion featuring the option of setting the day, month and year. Originally made as a 28 years calendar from 1967-1994. The Gregor...

Color print from the 1950s depicting the SAML S 2 single-engine biplane, produced in 1916 by the Italian company Società Anonima Meccanica Lombarda (SAML). It was a training and reco...

Vintage style Ski Photography, framed Alpine Ski Photograph, Haircut Sir. 'HAIRCUT SIR', a modern framed and mounted black and white pho...

A pharmacy model of a specimen of Morchella Rotunda mushroom, made in painted plaster, on a green oval-shaped plaster base with moss and hay. Italy circa 1950.

Scaled model of the a US Air Force airplane. made of aluminum with a wooden base. A nice sculpture for every living room or desktop. Use it at as a Pictur...

Vintage light blue metal tool box with handle and stacking trays. Label reads 'VEB Starkstromamlagenhau Cottbus', presumably a construction plant in Germany. In original condition wi...

1950s ubangi woman pin is among the most striking of artist Rebajes pieces. Seldom seen sterling silver version, as most Rebajes pieces are in copper. It is jigsaw cut with wrapped w...

Fine cased model of the white star liner “Titanic”. Well executed model of the classic and famous four stack liner. Details include lifeboats, cargo booms, skylights, cabins, railing...

Cobalt blue vintage metal tool box with handle and stacking trays. In original condition with visible wear, including enameled loss, discoloration and...

Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made of plaster, glass and painted paper mache, metal hooks, holding on a ...

Nautical flag in frame with glass. Blue flag with crossed feathered quills. Blue field with white applied letters. White hoist with brass grommets. Weight: 4 lbs. Overall Dimensions...

A very nice and simple religious plaque or icon of Mary the mother of Jesus. The piece is bas-relief in brass on a wood plaque, circa 1960s.

Vintage Ski Photography, antique Alpine Ski Photograph. 'Descent in Powder’, a new mounted black and white photographic image after an original 1930s s...

Solid brass marine lantern with Fresnel glass lens. Protective brass cage. This lantern has been meticulously polished and lacquered. It has been...

This large triangular racing burgee is made from pieced wool bunting with machine stitching with three vertical red, white and red stripes. The white stripe showing a blue shield with a white star and crescent moon motif below a royal crown. The leading edge is inscribed in black ink ‘R. Portsmouth Corin n/t’. It is accompanied by a copy of a black edged letter on Buckingham Palace writing paper dated 10th July 1936 saying ‘Dear Sir, I am commanded by the King and Queen Mary to send you these flags which were flown on board “Britannia” at various times during her career, including one of her racing flags. Their Majesties hope you will like to keep these in your club house as souvenirs of the old yacht. Yours Derek Keppell, Master of the Household, The Commodore, Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Club.” It is offered with a Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Club printed silk racing programme for the Sixth Regatta in Osborne Bay, 1883, with a gold fringe and a button attached with a red seal to a tag stating ‘Seabed Pattern Button Corinthian Yacht Club, jacket and vest, 1880’, in an envelope ‘On H.M. Service’ addressed to ‘General His Serene Highness, Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Commodore of the Corinthian Yacht Club, Government House...

Poker chip , gaming chip dispenser . Master Canasta co. , New York , Patent Appl'd For , Designed by Francesco Collura cast into the body on the underside . Individual pods hold sele...

This striking pair of vintage monumental brass roosters exudes bold Bohemian charm and timeless sophistication. Each rooster is meticulously crafted with intricate details, from thei...

An Interesting Wooden American Belle Bass Synagogue Memorial Sign, made in 1945 in the United States. The sign is made of wood, stained in a rich, dark color, and smoothly finished, with each letter of the text nailed into the wood. The size of the sign is large enough to be prominently displayed in the Synagogue where the dedication was made. A Star of David is nailed to the top of the dedication followed by " The Belle Bass Memorial" in large, bold letters. The dedication Continues; The privilege of burning the mortgage was accorded to 'Jacob Bass...

This ingenious design for children is from German (DDR) designers Hans Brockhage and Erwin Andra made in the early 1950's Hans Brockhage (1925-2009) was wounded in WWII and starte...

A large vintage Randolph Turpin carpet. A wonderful impressive carpet made for the British boxer Randolph Turpin (nick named 'The Leamington Licker'). The carpet measuring nearly 3 meters by 4 meters was made by a life long friend, Mr Dennis Quayle, and would make a remarkable wall hanging. Quayle owned a high quality furniture store in Birmingham and supplied amongst other furnishings, high quality handmade carpets. Following Turpin’s triumph over Sugar Ray Robinson to win the world title in 1951, Mr Quayle had the carpet made as a gift for Turpin. Later in Turpin’s life when in trouble, Quayle bought back the carpet in order to help him financially, with the carpet remaining in the Quayle family ever since. Randolph Turpin is one of Britain’s greatest sportsmen who plied his trade with courage, honor and skill and gave Britain one of its best nights in a boxing ring. As a 33-1 underdog Turpin humbled the greatest fighter the world had seen, Sugar Ray Robinson, at Earls Court in London to become Middleweight Champion of the World. Sugar Ray was at his peak and the fight was the culmination of the flamboyant champion’s famous tour of Europe. Unable to cope with Turpin’s long reach and unusual wide stance the American struggled to land punches and Turpin’s strength inside was too much and he took the win on points after 15 rounds. He would lose the belt in a rematch 64 days later but Turpin’s achievement is a remarkable one which crowns a distinguished boxing career, he was later inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2001. Randolph Turpin's titles:- British Middleweight 17th Oct 1950 European Middleweight 27th Feb 1951 World Middleweight 10th July 1951 Commonwealth Middleweight 2nd Oct 1952 Won the British Light...

Wonderful design, great table prop/decor. Signed on top side, Daum, then the Cross of Lorraine symbol, and Nancy and also Signed on the bottom; Daum Nancy France.

Vintage bakelite backgammon game set with dominoes, Mancala and Cribbage, circa 1970s. Set is in like new condition and appears to have nev...

Steiff collection Cats, Germany, Mid 20th Century Five cats, 4 of which are filled with straw. Two Tom-cats (1, the smallest is right hind leg defective) Black with arched back. 17 ...

6 and a half inch round dish ashtray with cork bottom, and makers markings.

Aldo Tura smoking stand made from stained fruitwood and a scalloped parchment covered top. A patinated nickel and copper plated ashtray with cigarette ...

Indonesian chessboard from the 1950s made of soapstone carved, consisting of 32 tokens of different sizes in green and black. The checkers are housed of their original box lined ins...

A pair of modernistic sterling silver earring by William Spratling from the third period 1964-1967. Made in his studio in Taxco, Mexico. The earri...

This is a sterling silver necklace with black charms. The longest charm is 1.5" T x .25" W The medium charms are: .5" T x .25 W The smallest charms are: 1...

Offered is a vintage 1944 United States Army Air Force poster. Designed by Jes Schlaikjer, the design features an Army Air Force serviceman looking s...

A wonderful jewelry box in silvered cast bronze by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997). From a small special series, the designer created circa 1945-55. on which poems were cast in relief on the cover. Most existing examples features poems that are well-known. This poem, however, was not identified by us, and possibly is a creation of the artist herself. It is a very soulful prose (see the full poem in French below). Signed on the base as shown. We have a gilt bronze box with the same relief cast poem that comes with a three-page Certification in French by Comite Line Vautrin, shown in some photos as well. Reference: For other boxes with poems see "Line Vautrin Sculptor, Jeweller, Magician by Line Vautrin and Patrick Mauries, page 42. "Les glaciers vagabonds qui ébranlent les murs et les anges frileux qui cherchent un asile quand la nuit de décembre anesthésie la ville t’effraient plus que les morts tutélaires et durs Ils désertent pour toi...

This very large and colorful placard sized store display sign was presumed to have been made in the United States for the Gran Habano Cigar Company of Honduras in the 1960s to advert...

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...

Leather and wood vaulting horse from the 1930s. This adjustable vaulting horse was made in the 1930s in former Czechoslovakia. The thick cowhide leather has a nice patina. Very goo...

Antique ship model with provenance. This model of the packet ship “Anglo Saxon” was “presented by Charles H Taylor of Boston to the Pelham Country Club as ...

The first edition of the final novel published during Virginia Woolf's lifetime, in an especially bright example of the sought-after Vanessa Bell dust wrapper. The first edition, fi...

Solid brass highly polished ships portlight with tempered glass. The glass has imperfections from years at sea. This porthole has been polished and lacquered. Weight: 16 LBS Over...