Authentic antique Black Americana is highly collectible because it is so rare. Most of the 'real deals' were destroyed, especially after the Civil War. The few that did survive, didn't make it through the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. There are a plethora of Black Americana reproductions that were made during the 'country decorating' era of the 1980's.
What an crazingly insane unique item you have found Congrats & Kudos to you 
If you ever happen to discover more about this piece I am really hoping you will share the info with us! Again a Huge Congrats on this awesome find! 
Breezie said:Creskol, I'm so glad you had this appraised. I knew the value was high, so major congrats on the $$$
There is such a lack of a knowledge bank about these surviving Black Americana pieces. You had a Professional Appraiser admit he had never seen one or couldn't find it in a data base, so that tells you of it rarity. I don't know if you saw this website post or not, but check out the $$$ of this:
http://sableimages.com/cart/sambo-cap-gun-p-62.html
Personally, I think your item is a 'shooter marble holder,' and certainly not a doorstop. My best guesstimate of age is the Victorian Era. Marbles was one of the most 'popular games' of that time too.
Again, CONGRATS of a FANTASTIC find! Breezie
PS: Please tell the story of your avatar, and post some more pics.
Woodland Detectors said:Wow! Fantastic relic save right there Creskol! That is indeed a rare find. Congratulations
ModernMiner said:Very cool find, and a nice appraisal to boot.
Way to go!
-MM-
bogeymcq said:
When I first saw it & pondered on the ball in mouth two thoughts came to mind . . . .
1) worry/stress ball . . . my Grandma used to have this rock she would roll around in the palm of her hand when she was concerned & concretrating on a certain thought or two
2) those oriental massage balls
. . more then likely your item does not fall into either of those areas, but the thoughts did pop up in my mind . . .
Lovin' the apprasial you received
creskol said:Breezie said:Creskol, I'm so glad you had this appraised. I knew the value was high, so major congrats on the $$$
There is such a lack of a knowledge bank about these surviving Black Americana pieces. You had a Professional Appraiser admit he had never seen one or couldn't find it in a data base, so that tells you of it rarity. I don't know if you saw this website post or not, but check out the $$$ of this:
http://sableimages.com/cart/sambo-cap-gun-p-62.html
Personally, I think your item is a 'shooter marble holder,' and certainly not a doorstop. My best guesstimate of age is the Victorian Era. Marbles was one of the most 'popular games' of that time too.
Again, CONGRATS of a FANTASTIC find! Breezie
PS: Please tell the story of your avatar, and post some more pics.
Thanks for all, Breezie .. I sure appreciate your interest and your knowledge .. Never did hear anything from the other place.
As far as my avatar goes, I am not real sure what it was originally, maybe a top to hitching post or something? Thoughts? When I dug it, I thought it was part of a mechanical bank, but at almost 5 inches, I think it is too big for that. It was dug at an old house site many years ago, but still ranks among my favorite finds. Thanks again, Breezie!
PS: That link you provided made me blink twice or maybe even three times .. Wow!!.. What a neat old piece of history you dug! I nominated it for banner, too, but haven't seen it up there yet. .. and it certainly should be!
Breezie
EagleDown said:A most excellent find!!
I had considered the "Stamp Licker" also, but in thinking about it, I'm not so sure. All of the manufactured stamp wetters I'm familiar with were primarily made out of ceramic. (That is, antique ones.)
I imagine they could have been cast out of iron, but even with a coat of enamel, iron tends to rust.
Actually, what it puts me in mind of would be a bar/tavern game. i.e.: You bounce the iron ball on the bar and try to get it to land in the cup. If you made it, your drink was free. Kinda like the modern day "quarter in the shot glass" game
In any case, it doesn't really matter, the thing is, it's your find, and nothing can beat that. (Is it too late to vote Banner on this??) I'm voting anyway!!!
Eagle
Breezie said:EagleDown said:A most excellent find!!
I had considered the "Stamp Licker" also, but in thinking about it, I'm not so sure. All of the manufactured stamp wetters I'm familiar with were primarily made out of ceramic. (That is, antique ones.)
I imagine they could have been cast out of iron, but even with a coat of enamel, iron tends to rust.
Actually, what it puts me in mind of would be a bar/tavern game. i.e.: You bounce the iron ball on the bar and try to get it to land in the cup. If you made it, your drink was free. Kinda like the modern day "quarter in the shot glass" game
In any case, it doesn't really matter, the thing is, it's your find, and nothing can beat that. (Is it too late to vote Banner on this??) I'm voting anyway!!!
Eagle
Eagle, the bar game is a good idea too, and if not a 'bar' game, perhaps a child's tossing game. As I stated above, shooting marbles was such a popular game back turning the Vic. era, maybe this was a spin-off of a marble game.
Thank you for the Banner vote on Sambo, and no I don't think it is too late to vote. Here's the link:
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,423067.0.html
Cres, I hope you didn't mind that I posted the link. As I said in my post, I don't mind sharing at all; if you had not posted your Sambo on my link, we may have never known its true value and rarity.
Breezie
Breezie said:I found it!!!!!! Check out this website:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5799262
This one is obviously a newer (1950s) model, but it's the same theory. Yours is the 'real deal' from the 1880s.
Breezie
EagleDown said:A most excellent find!!
I had considered the "Stamp Licker" also, but in thinking about it, I'm not so sure. All of the manufactured stamp wetters I'm familiar with were primarily made out of ceramic. (That is, antique ones.)
I imagine they could have been cast out of iron, but even with a coat of enamel, iron tends to rust.
Actually, what it puts me in mind of would be a bar/tavern game. i.e.: You bounce the iron ball on the bar and try to get it to land in the cup. If you made it, your drink was free. Kinda like the modern day "quarter in the shot glass" game
In any case, it doesn't really matter, the thing is, it's your find, and nothing can beat that. (Is it too late to vote Banner on this??) I'm voting anyway!!!
Eagle
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