Nevada - More Folk Art

Charming American Sampler "Wrought by Edith E. Jewett" from "Portland, Oregon" in the year "1928"; obviously a talented young lady who meticulously laid out three versions of the alphabet; one script; one block letters and one lower case. In addition, she has done the numbers one through 10; and she has given us an indication of her rural habitat with depictions of deer, dogs, flowers, trees and a couple of birds on perch; all surrounding her small but stoic border hedge defined house in the center. Done in pleasing complimentary colors of blue, green, orange, and gold on a beige back drop, this cross stitched needlepoint sampler...

Also known as a "hat block" these forms were used by milliners to shape a cowboy hat by heating the beaver pelt up against the mold and pounding with a wooden mallet. John Stetson used this process in making the first cowboy hat in the 1860s in his manufacturing plant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These wooded molds were hand carved rather than turned on a lathe so that different and unique styles could be created. As John Stetson said after traveling extensively across the western United States "a cowboy hat kept the sun out of your eyes and off your neck. It was like an umbrella. It gave you a bucket (the crown) to water your horse, and a cup (the brim) to water yourself. It made a hell of a fan, which you need sometimes for a fire, but more often to shunt cows this direction or that". That pretty much sums up the attributes of a cowboy hat. I purchased a "Stetson" collection years ago from a collector very near Philadelphia, so this could very well be a Stetson hat mold. I know of no other millineries in the late 1800s who were making western hats. Wooden hat blocks are to be found, but it is rare to find a western hat mold, especially with the two pieces together, the brim and the head body and crown. They would have become separated at some point in time over the years. My example is being held together by brass "L" brackets which makes a great "Stand alone": display, or can be hung on the wall to accommodate hanging a cowboy hat. Markings on the base are: 4 1/4 7 3/8 1931 and H.G. (see image). "7 3/8" probably suggests the hat size and "1931" probably suggests the style or inventory number; "H.G." suggests, perhaps, the actual name of the style. This hat mold is in very good and all original condition, very sturdy, and makes a nice presentation. Dimensions: (overall) 13" long x 11" wide x 7" high. I have included a Christmas, Santa Claus Stetson salesman sample box...

All original cast iron doorstop "Woman in Hoop Skirt with Fan" was manufactured by Waverly Studios in Wilmette, Illinois, circa 1925., It is in excellent co...

This prop was used as a magic trick and came from a collection of "magic" props from a California estate, and was accumulated in New York City; home to many famous conjurors; Houdini, Hermann The Great, and Copperfield to name a few. It remained wrapped up since at least the 1940's until recently when I unpacked it; dates from the late 1800's. Though I am not familiar with the "trick", it has something to do with the appearance and disappearance of numbers or/and the changing of these numbers (see images). It is quite sophisticated and very well made; everything "fits" and slides quite nicely. The rectangular long box...

American leather fire bucket "S. Billings No. 1" Dated "1824". Could be Billings, Montana. All original condition including ro...

Late 19th century bone hand-carved cane handle in the shape of an eagle. Mounted on wood. American and dated "1873." Excellent original condition. Measures: 38" high.