I love this card. The man bends down to feed a black bear cub who stands on his hind legs with a tiny chain leash attached. The back reads “This cub is our new mascot and he certainly is a good one. The crowds are beginning to gather and the day is fair.” Bethel, ME. $35.
c1910 Sepia real photo postcard of a freak two headed calf, stuffed and proudly on display. Gorgeous, unused! $35.
Ready for her close up
Unused
Mid 19thc (1860-70 in my opinion) silver brooch reverse painted with a scene of the pleasure wheel (wooden predecessor to the Ferris wheel with the scaffolding next to it for men to climb and turn manually) scene. Total size is 1 1/4″ x 1 1/2″. There are flakes of damage (mostly to the background sky and field, just a bit to the ride). Exceptionally rare 19thc souvenir pin, most likely silver but NOT marked. Pin clasp appears original but is fairly crude. I would guess that this is a Grand Tour souvenir piece possibly from France where the Pleasure Wheel was more popular than in the U.S. $395.
Circus or carnival equipment trunk, for hauling spotlights, paint decorated with elephants and tigers in red, white and blue! Measures 50″ long, 13″ deep and 17″ high. Very sturdy wood and iron construction that was probably 1940s and repainted in the 1950s/early 60s. It is webbed inside to hold spots in place with a chain that closes the front. This trunk does have two heavy cracks to the top, and I think I know why. I think this doubled as an animal stand. $195.
I like to handle only one of a kind things, and I can be certain that these fall right in my niche. A pair of canvas screenprinted banners (white, with black trimmed red lettering) that measure 26″ high by 120″ long (each) x 2. Reads: Walter L. Main 3 Ring. The Walter L. Main circus operated on and off from the 1880s up to the 1940s, I’d pretty much guarantee these are 1930s/early 1940s. These are absolutely classic, railroad car advertising banners to drape outside the show’s cars as they traveled. Own a little piece of an iconic dustbowl era scene here. Here’s what looks to have happened, they look to have been printed “Erie Litho” (a recognized circus poster printer) as back ups and never used. They clearly saw water damage to the bottom – perhaps 10″ – years ago. Would frame beautifully, or clean them up and hang as they are. The top 2/3rds looks to be new old stock, and the bottom 1/3 has some canvas flaking and staining. SOLD.
Born in Southwestern PA in 1925, the Newcomer Twins (Maxine and Eilene) lost their eyesight as small children and were guided by their parents into the world of music – learning early on many a stringed instrument. In their late teens the girls moved to Wheeling West Virginia where they performed on the WWVA radio station, then a popular blue grass and country station. They reached some fame and it seems as though their instruments and original pressings are all in the Country Hall of Fame. Two pieces direct from their estate, one b/w photo still shot of the girls (never used condition) and a promotional booklet sold by the girls (with an empty “To” address box on the back cover) is six pages in total of photographs and anecdotes. Both pieces are in gorgeous condition, and a rare niche. If you have an interest, drop an email. The twins were born locally to me, and I might have other pieces that I’d be willing to part with to a good home. Thanks much.