These mint condition, 1940s, PEARL CHINA Black Chef and Mammy salt and pepper shakers are simply outstanding!

Measuring a super-size 7.50 inches high, this exceptionally large salt and pepper pair are meant for stove-top and not table-top use, thus their robust dimensions!

The pair are in mint condition and likely were never used. They retain their original corks and are accented in 24KT GOLD-- on the black chef's lips, ladle, the kerchief in his back pocket, and his name, "SALTY" and on Mammy's name, "Peppy".

The tin is in very fine, near mint condition with just a few superficial scratches here and there as seen in photos. No repainting, no rusting! Truly lovely condition!

The detailing of each of the plastic Black Native Girls is quite fine featuring straw baskets atop their heads filled with plastic fruit, fuzzy black fabric hair, hand-painted facial features, movable jointed arms, and brass-colored hoop earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Each wears a sateen head covering, a lace shirt and silk cumberbunds. They are identical with the exception of fruit and cumberbund color!

The pen bodies are wooden and differ only in color of the wood. Neither pen works and it is unknown whether the ink has dried or can be coaxed back to life!

The pens are unmarked and are surmised to have never been used due to their very fine, all-original condition!

Perched upon corn cobs, a cute pair of Black African Natives happily guard their trove of salt and pepper. The pepper shaker is stamped “JAPAN” on its base.

Some appropriate, age-related crazing is evident here and there on this colorfully painted, absolutely darling pair which display beautifully!

Made of a plastic, it retains its original clasp on back that is stamped in the teeniest of letters: “Made in Czechoslovakia”.

The graphic showing an African American woman picking cotton with her little girl at her side retains its vivid coloring and is in near mint condition with only one tiny speck of paint loss at the base of the little girl’s apron. Very minor wear is visible along the front edge of the tray rim as well as along the base edge as seen in photos. Overall condition is quite exceptional!

The front of the tray bears the advertisement, “ The Source of Cottolene- ‘Nature’s Gift From the Sunny South’”, and obviously refers to the cotton plant as the source of Cottolene Lard or shortening which was manufactured by the N.K. Fairbanks Company.

The tray underside depicts a can of Cottolene lard which provides the backdrop for the Fairbanks Company product advertising. It advertising reads, “ ‘Way Down South in the Land of Cotton’ If you could see cotton growing in the fields in all its purity, could observe the skill and care used in extracting and refining the oil, you would appreciate while COTTOLENE- the perfect shortening- is so much purer and more healthful than lard could ever be. COTTOLENE is pure and wholesome as the finest olive oil; makes food palatable, digestible, healthful. COTTOLENE shortens your food- lengthens your life.” Wow, quite a testimony!!

This circa 1900-1910 Johnny Griffin item is a double image still bank that features 2 images of Johnny's head placed back-to-back. It was manufactured by the A.C. Williams Company of Ravenna, Ohio, which at the turn of the 20th century and up until World War II, was the largest toy and still bank manufacturer in the world. (At the start of WWII, production declined sharply as iron was needed for military consumption, marking the end of an era.) The bank is constructed of cast iron in two pieces which unscrew to facilitate the emptying of coins. There is a coin slot at the top of Johnny's head for use in depositing the coins. This sweet bank remains functional for banking use today or may be simply used as an attractive desk paperweight!

It is in all original condition with delightful patina- not a reproduction- and measures 3 inches high x 2 1/2 inches wide. It retains traces of the original gold leaf paint and may (or may not!) have a replaced screw.

The Johnny Griffin image- in the arena of Black Americana collectibles- should form the cornerstone of any serious Black Memorabilia collection!