Til the Cows Come Home

These sweet faced advertising cows and adorable calves are tin die cut sets dating from the 1920-30s. They are old and authentic advertising pieces from the De Laval Cream Separator Company. The cow sets were part of an advertising campaign that sent these little cattle to farmers' homes, encouraging them to write in for catalogs and buy De Laval products. Several breeds were used -- these are Jerseys and Holsteins.  The other breeds that were available were brown/white and black cows.

From the 1870's Gustaf De Laval (1845-1913) developed machines for the dairy industry, including the first centrifugal milk-cream separator and early milking machines.  His first separator was patented in 1887 and the first milking machine in 1894. From the early 1880's, De Laval's cream separator was promoted internationally.  In 1888, the company founded the De Laval Cream Separator Co. in the United States, as a subsidiary.  

Each set of cow and calf available for $150 per set

Packaging for Reference Only-Not Available for Sale

Boot Scootin' into Spring!

It's been said that a cowgirl's best ammunition is her smile. But having a great pair of western boots is pretty important, too! Vintage Gal Antiques has an amazing selection of vintage western boots and accessories including tooled leather handbags and vintage H Bar C western shirts.  All reasonably priced!

Opening in April for the 2018 season!

All Fun and Games

Board games were quite popular in earlier times, and much simpler than today’s electronic games obsessions.

It is interesting that in centuries prior to the 19^th and 20^th centuries, games were considered instruments of the devil.  The later periods were full of society changes which included the traumas of war, new immigrants coming to the country and an industrial revolution.  With all these transitions, board games were now viewed as a way to educate, entertain and even live out dreams, whether it be striking it rich or traveling the world. 

Games of chance or fortune telling were popular and during these years, few games were actually based on strategy or skill.  Conversation games evolved during the Victorian Era and provided a venue for people of the opposite sex to interact and develop relationships.

Several early board games that I purchased in a collection were made by Mc Loughlin Brothers who produced games from 1858 – 1920.  Many of their games focused on children’s education or moral lessons and all are known for their detailed and colorful artwork.

Some of the games for sale at Vintage Gal Antiques include:

The District Messenger Boy game- McLoughlin Bros.-- c1886.  The object of the game is to see which player will first become the President of the Telegraph Company.  Spaces reflecting misbehavior direct a player to go back, or sometimes go to prison which requires a return to “Start” upon release.

Please call or email for price.

The Game of Hide and Seek-McLoughlin Bros.-- c1895.  This is an extremely rare board game and quite large, measuring 15 1/2" x 22". The graphics are very intricate and colorful. 

A page from an early McLoughlin Brothers catalog describes the Hide and Seek Game as "simple and lively for small players."

Please call or email for price.

Ally Sloper – circa 1907.  Milton Bradley produced this target game and used the name “Ally Sloper” which was one of the earliest known comic characters, dating from 1867.  The clown image on the game doesn’t resemble the official comic character, but perhaps Bradley wanted to capitalize on a once funny name.

Please call or email for price.

There are many more early 19th and 20th century toys and games available for sale at Vintage Gal Antiques. Please stop by and check out the unique selection!

A Busy Day in Dollville

This is the real deal.  Reproductions of this adorable and very rare Diamond Dyes advertising sign have been produced over and over, but this is the authentic, bevel-edged tin over cardboard sign; “A Busy Day in Dollville”, circa 1911.

The original has a black border and measures 11 ½ by 17 inches. In addition to the 1911 copyright date, it is also well marked as being manufactured by American Art Works of Coshochton, Ohio, one of the premier makers of tin signs and trays during the first decades of the 20^th century.

The artist is Bessie Pease Gutmann, who was born in Philadelphia in 1876, (1876-1960), studied art at several schools as a young woman and was an independent commercial artist.  Gutmann & Gutmann, a company that produced art prints hired her in 1903 and three years later, Bessie married Hellmuth Guttman, her boss.  They had three children who often were used as her models in her illustrations.  She was a working mother long before working mothers were commonplace. 

Bessie Pease Gutmann illustrated 22 magazine covers between the years 1906-1920.  She illustrated books and created innumerable art prints.  As far as research indicates, there is only one self-framed tin advertising sign that bears her work, and that is "A Busy Day in Dollville". 

This exceptional and charming piece of advertising history is available at Vintage Gal Antiques.  Please call or email to obtain the price.