Grandson Sells Photo Album from Asia with Circus Freaks

By John | We Buy Photos and Photo Albums , United States

We bought this photo album from the grandson of a “picker”. Grandparents can be great for finding things they want to sell. She did not recall much about purchasing the album. A quick search identified it as circus album of an American circus company that was based in Asia. The album was full of circus photos and sites and scenes from all the venues they visited in Asia.

A truly rare group of photos belonging to one of the performers of the Churchill and Taits Show which was based out of Manilla, or possibly to the Taits, themselves. From the mid-1920s.  Almost all the photos are identified as to the location in a meticulous hand, and some have short descriptions. 

Several photos are of a sympathetic, young man with long hair covering his entire face. Very similar to the earlier performer known as “Jo Jo, The Dog Boy.” There is an intimate quality to them. In two of the photos he is with a female companion or, possibly, his mother.  Also, there are two photos of Bertie, front and back, covered with tattoos. Also, “The Great Van Norman,  in his leap for life.”  A photo that will stop your breathing. The Van Norman  photo has the words “A Churchill and Tait Attraction.” Then there are two photos of “Jake Cox, Firediver and Smokediver.”  As well, “The Mysterious Blondell” with all his magic gear or appliances.  Also, the motorcycle rider, Gunboat Jack, in the “Silo-Drome” – The Wall of Death they call it on the internet.  The show promoters, as legible on a sign, offered anyone $100.00 if they could duplicate the feats of their riders.  There are more Carnival specific photos than I can post – about 18. Not to forget a few primitively painted sideshow tents. There are a good number of images of Tait folks touring or posing with the Taits, I believe.

The album has 178 photos or thereabout.  The balance of the album is pristine photos of the sights of South Asia, naturally, because of being based out of Manilla, there are images of temples, including the Snake Temple, spectacular historic buildings, boats, waterways and a number of photos focused on public gardens of a grand scale.

Some of the locations are: Beneres, India; Calcutta; Kuala, Lumpur; Taiping, Perak F.M.S.; Kowloon, Hong Kong; Soerabaja, Java; Bangkok, Thailand; Sumatra, W.C.; Penang, Malaysia.  All or most of these were the sites where the Churchill-Tait Attractions had shows.

Dimensions: The Album is 8.5” wide and 6.5” high and 2” thick.  The photos vary, from 4” X 6”  to   5.25 X 3 ⅜   to  2 1/8” X 3.25”.

Date: Mid 1920s.

Origin: Manilla

Condition: The photos are as mint as they come, the album was missing the front cover, the back cover has separated from the album. 

Antique Steiff Bears, Animals, & Toys

By John | We Buy Antique & Vintage Toys , Actively Buying , United States

Estate Art, Paintings, Photography, Carvings

By John | Buying Estate Art , Actively Buying , United States , We Buy Estates

We are avid buyers of original art: paintings, drawings, sculptures, and prints (signed & numbered).  All art that is made by hand is what we want to buy. We are not looking for mass produced art. We buy estate art collections and single objects of art. Estate art is art collected over a lifetime.

We also buy old wood frames if they are well crafted. We will earn your business. There are many categories of estate art we buy. We are not bargain hunters.

Paintings

Paintings We buy all types of paintings, oil, watercolors, and acrylic. Signed paintings are best but we’re happy to look at unsigned paintings too. Unreadable signatures are not a problem. Any subject from traditional landscapes, still life, portraits, animals, and children are ok. We’re always happy to take a look. We also buy modern and contemporary paintings.

Sculptures

We buy sculptures, bronze, iron, wood. We consider any type of sculpture. Signed sculptures are preferred but anonymous sculptures are fine.

Limited Edition Prints

We buy limited edition prints from any era. A limited edition is the same as signed and numbered. Sometimes instead of a number “Artist Proof” or “Proof” is where the number should be. That is OK.

Frames

We are buyers of old and antique frames. Finely crafted and handmade wood frames are what we primarily buy.

Civil War Antiques & Relics

By John | We Buy Civil Rights Memorbilia , Actively Buying , United States

We avidly buy Civil War antiques and relics. We will earn your business. If you find or have Civil War photos, letters, weapons, medals or anything else and are looking for a buyer we want to talk to you about your collection. Civil War relics are the most desirable of all military collectibles. We are militaria buyers from all American conflicts, but we are avid buyers of Civil War relics. We are not bargain hunters.

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Civil War Sword

Officer’s swords are the most valuable but any sword from the civil war in any condition has value. We buy confederate swords and union swords in any condition. You deserve a fair price! Don’t leave money on the table.

Civil War Rifle

Rifles, especially long rifles are highly sought. The civil war soldier in the photo is holding a long rifle. The condition of a rifle has a significant impact on its value.  We buy confederate rifles & union rifles in any condition. We pay top prices for weapons. Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish.

Civil War Uniform

Uniforms from the war are still found and have value regardless of condition. Confederate uniforms and Union uniforms are both desirable to us. Officer’s uniforms have the most value since there were fewer uniforms made. Any part of the clothing of a civil war uniform is worth calling us to discuss. Belt buckles, buttons, ribbons, sashes, insignia, and hats are all collectible. We are buyers of all of these civil war items in any condition. Learn how to get top prices.

Civil War Photograph

We buy photos from the Civil War. The photo above is a great example of the type of photo we like to buy, but we’ll look at any civil war photo you want to sell. If you have a photo like this one you’ll get $,$$$.

Civil War Knife

 The soldier in the photo is holding a bowie knife. We buy civil war knives.

Civil War Letters

 Letters & correspondence about the Civil War are often overlooked. We buy civil war letters, correspondence & diaries. We look for letters that describe battles or discuss issues related to the war. Any reference to slavery, abolition or states rights are topics that we like to see.

Civil War Relic

 We are buyers of any civil war relic.  Even if you have Civil War relics we have not mentioned specifically we are still avid civil war buyers of any type of military antique. Military antiques can include civil war memorials, civil war flags, civil war maps, any type of weapon, and all paper items.

Savannah Picker finds Antique Southern Pottery Jar

By John | We Buy American Pottery

We bought this North Carolina stoneware jar from a Savannah picker. Here are some tips for picking southern pottery that you can sell to us.

Based on the color and glaze this most likely came form North Carolina or Georgia. It has some stylistic features of Isaac Lefever (1831-1864) who was a Lincoln County potterr. The maker of this storage jar may have studied under Lefever. Here’s an example of a signed Lefever piece on the Mesda.org website.

We are avid buyers of southern antique pottery. Contact us if you have old southern pottery you want to sell.

High-Fired Glassy Ash Glaze

Look at the bottom for signs of age and use

Look for signatures or marks witch are typically on the handle or shoulder. Also check the bottom.

Unique, Unusual, Handmade American Furniture

By John | We Buy Antique Furniture , Actively Buying , United States , We Buy Estates

We go everywhere to buy unique, unusual, handmade American furniture.

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Important: We are very selective about the furniture we’re currently buying. This is an example of unique, handmade, well-crafted, well-designed furniture we recently bought. We’re looking for furniture that is UNIQUE (see example photos), furniture we can not find in our area. 

We Pay Fair Prices

We buy all types of antiques; we are not just antique furniture buyers. Due to the volume of submissions, we can not respond to everyone.

NOTE: If your furniture submission does not meet our requirements you probably will not get a response. Brand name furniture is not hand-made it is manufactured.

When you have antiques to sell, we want you to think of us every time. By paying fair prices, sellers return to sell to us and they recommend us to friends and family. We reward you every step of the way if you sell to us or if you refer to us.

Sports Memorabilia and Collectibles

By John | We Buy Sports Memorabilia and Collectibles , Actively Buying , United States

We Go Everywhere

We buy sports memorabilia the things that are sports-related. Older antique sports collectibles are best. If you want to sell something today give us a call. Click to see all the categories we like to buy.

• Photos, Photo Albums and Real Photo Postcards
• Uniforms, Hats, Trophies, Equipment
• Antique Tobacco Baseball Cards

Our Buying Terms

• We are not hunting for bargains.
• We pay fair prices.
• We want to earn your business.

We BUY from YOU!

• Social History in Sports: Photos and anything related to women in sports, and African-Americans in sports the older the better.
• Special Sports Events: Photos, photo albums and scrapbooks about playoffs, competitions, and trips to unusual locations.
• Civil Rights in Sports: Photos related to early integration in sports. Jack Johnson, Joe Lewis, and other legendary sports achievers.
• Women’s Sports: Photos and scrapbooks related to women’s early involvement in sports.

We Pay Fair Prices for Sports Memorabilia

We buy all types of old, antique, and vintage memorabilia related to sports. Real photo postcards (RPPC), photo albums, individual photos, or just unique photos, cabinet cards, carte de visites (CDV), tintypes, and ambrotypes (glass).

When you have vintage photographs or sports memorabilia to sell, we want you to think of us every time. By paying fair prices, sellers return to sell to us and they recommend us to friends and family. We reward you every step of the way if you sell to us or if you refer to us.

We want to earn your business

We are avid buyers.   We constantly do research to understand current market prices. This research gives us the confidence to offer you a fair price. Once we come to an agreement we are responsible for the safety, storage, and marketing. You have become a successful picker.

Some people enjoy the experience so much they go out and look for more antiques. If that sounds like you; we’re already looking forward to seeing your discoveries.

Preserving Military Photos, Letters & Correspondence from Storage Unit Auctions

By John | We Buy Photos and Photo Albums , We Buy Military Memorbilia

We bought this collection of military items because it tells a meaningful story about military service during WWII.

When we buy military items we’re drawn to collections of numerous objects that illustrate military service. Often this includes photos, letters, audiotapes, and correspondence.

When we buy military items we’re drawn to collections of numerous objects that illustrate military service. Often this includes photos, letters, audiotapes, and correspondence.

Vintage Photos & Photo Albums

By John | We Buy Photos and Photo Albums , Actively Buying , United States

Thomas Ritchie Pottery Jar from Catawba County NC

By John | We Buy American Pottery

We were pleased to buy this jug when a Florida picker called.

Thomas Ritchie (1825-1909) Signed T R and stamped 2, with an unbeatable, high-fired ash glaze and a high neck with three deep score lines under a bold collar that flares out to the spout. The loop handle is high and ribbon-like in movement. These characteristics of the jug that I have noted are shared with early American stoneware examples.

A sought after Catawba County, North Carolina potter.