As the interest in all things collectible rises in dizzying heights, there is no category growing in popularity faster than African-American history.
This growing specialty holds great fascination for a wide variety of collectors from African Americans exploring their roots to anyone seeking insight into the social history of this nation.
African Americana is also known as black memorabilia.
The best description I have found of black memorabilia is that for an item to be considered a black collectible, it must be made in the imagery of a black person or it must be directly attributed to a black artisan. The description can cover a lot of items from the early and many times offensive pieces that depicted the times of slavery to today's collectibles, such as Thomas Blackshear's Ebony Visions; it all fits into that catch-all category of black memorabilia.
Black memorabilia
Most collectible black memorabilia was produced from the 1920s through 1950s, although some collectors seek items from the Civil War era, as well. Some of the most rare and valuable items deal with the nation's period of slavery, such as a Charleston 1834 Porter slave tag, which is valued around $3,065. A servant slave tag with minor dents has been valued around $1,175, while shackles and a Certificate of Freedom can go as high as $1,400. Many see collection of these items as a way to learn about the past or provide a powerful image to help others understand this shameful period.
The popularity and the demand for these objects have risen steadily since the 1970s, as the interest was stimulated by Alex Haley's "Roots."
Finding and choosing items produced by black artists, featured musicals, literary talents, actors, sports figures and collecting items relating to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and now items of President Obama can all fall into a positive light to balance a collection. Black memorabilia are all definitely collectibles now and into the future.
Collectors can't be easily classified, but some categories can be classified, such as fabric textiles, ceramics and postcards.
"Of course, as with all collectibles, the marketplace is constantly at work, and over the past years there has been a fluctuation in the search of black memorabilia, but this may change and the possibility of getting more black memorabilia in by our dealers and more folks coming in to find these items in the upcoming months may change with our new president entering office," says Bernie Dyreson, a dealer at Old Rooster Antique Mall, Rochester.
Who collects?
Black memorabilia is collected for many reasons and by people of all races and nationalities. Although some people consider black memorabilia to be offensive and insulting, it might surprise many to find that notable black celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, musician Branford Marsalis, Bill Cosby and Whoopi Goldberg are big-time collectors, as is Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page.
Public institutions, such as the New York Public Library and Duke University also have focused on black memorabilia as a part of their collections.
"Fake reproductions can be found in easily duplicated paper items, textiles, cast iron objects, kitchen items and ceramics," says Dale Goodfriend, dealer at the Antique Mall on Third Street. "As in all collecting, always do your research before buying anything advertised as antique or vintage."
Linda Bucknell, of the Antique Manor in Racine, says one of the best ways to check for reproductions is to do a hands-on and visual check at the store, but "this is not always the case when purchasing on eBay auctions and Web sites."
"Getting to know your dealer and asking for certain items can be a plus, as they we can help in your collecting regardless of the size of your collection," adds Jean Ingvalson, Generations of Harmony Antique Mall.
Sandy Erdman is a Winona freelance writer. Send comments and ideas to life@postbulletin.com.
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