Text indicates that the diploma was awarded to Josephine Downey on October 21, 1899, and certified her to teach the Grammar or Primary Grade for the subsequent 6 years. Signed by Thomas Kirsh, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Secretary.

Further documentation on reverse reads, "Issued on the recommendation of the Board of Education of San Francisco County, in accordance with Section 1521 of the Political Code, upon a first grade or Grammar Grade Certificate of San Francisco County, California, 95% (Josephine’s teacher examination grade).”

With the exception of early fold lines, condition is mint! Measures 14.6 inches X 11.5 inches.

In very nice, all-original condition with just a tiny scratch or rub here and there. Painted a nice green with cream colored rate chart. The copyright date at the lower left corner of front of the chart indicates a 1945 year of manufacture.

This fabulous advertising piece is made of papier mache’, is painted black, and sports cream-colored lettering on both sides of the hat.

The firm of Julius Kessler Dist. Co., Inc., in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, originated in 1888 and created an American blended whiskey known for its silky smoothness!

The condition of this fab piece is very, very good given its 115++ years of age, with some areas of paint loss and wear (mostly to the top of the hat which is the surface that actually serves as the base for this piece). No structural weakness or damage to the papier mache- a very solid piece that displays beautifully!!

Framed in a finely-made, mortise and tenon jointed hard wood, this substantial, weighty frame has a slight bevel around the slate surface and remains tight and sturdy.

The double-sided slate surface bears subtle surface scratching from use typical for a slate of this age. The circular mark on the left side of the slate surface seen in the second photo is a flash reflection and not an imperfection on this piece.

The slate also comes with a 19th century slate pencil. A slate of this size is very rarely found in today's market. It retains the very rich patina of its 100+ years of age and can be displayed vertically or horizontally.

Metal backed, with 2 metal legs to allow the sign to stand freely, the sign is constructed of decorative, scallop-edged, hand-chipped glass with silver foil, reverse-painted embellishments.

This spun-brass bell is in fine, all-original condition as the photos attest complete with untouched patina, heavy clanger, and a fabulous hefty wooden handle!

The bell rings with a deep resonance which surely brought the schoolchildren indoors promptly!

To add to its charm, the pencil box cover bears a sweet early stencil of Snow White + the Seven Dwarfs! The scene depicts 5 of the dwarfs as well as Prince Charming, sadly escorting Snow White who is lying in her clear glass coffin, having already bitten into the evil witch's poisonous apple and fallen into a deep sleep. Apparently, Prince Charming does not yet realize that all it will take to wake Snow White is a kiss on the lips from him!

The bell is in fine, all-original condition as the photos attest complete with untouched patina, heavy clanger, and a delicately shaped wooden handle!

The bell rings with a high-pitched resonance.

Accented on either side by stylized Art Deco Chevrons, the sign is silver foil, reverse-painted on decorative, hand-chipped glass that has been protectively backed in metal. The sign retains both its two original hanging holes brackets as well as its original hanging chain.

In fine, all-original condition with the expected nicks and superficial surface scratches.