Antique Primitive 1891 Cast Iron Golden Novelty Co. USA Turtle Tobacco Spittoon

  

ANTIQUE PRIMITIVE 1891 CAST IRON GOLDEN NOVELTY CO. This is a great antique from the end of the Industrial Revolution. The turtle spittoon speaks to a time when Americans openly chewed tobacco and spit the juice into ornate spittoons! Just imagine who may have spit into this cool turtle spittoon!

It has character and a story to tell. About 130 years old and still works! Step on the turtle's head and his shell will pop open (so the operator could spit in it)!

The original hopper/bowl is not there, but the piece is in great shape and still functional. No chips, cracks, or other damage. My grandmother received this as a gift in the 60s or before 1977, my grandfather was alive & he passed away in 1977. The story goes: the gentleman who gave it to them got it from the Cape May NJ courthouse. I cannot provide documentation that it was the courthouse turtle, but that's grandma's story.

I have recently contacted Cape May historical society to see if I can get proof of the turtle's origin. I've enjoyed this turtle since my youth, thus grandma gave it to me. Turtle spittoon is ready to be in a new home so he can be appreciated by another collector. A conversation starter and an inspiring antique of American Heritage and ingenuity! Turtle lovers, antique collectors, tobacco historians, and many others can enjoy this functional artwork of antiquity.

For your enjoyment and to celebrate the spittoon a poem. The steam in hotel kitchens.

And the smoke in hotel lobbies. And the slime in hotel spittoons. Babies and gin and church. All mixed with dimes and.

And house rent to pay. A bright bowl of brass is beautiful to the Lord.

Bright polished brass like the cymbals. Of King David's dancers. Like the wine cups of Solomon. A clean spittoon on the altar of the Lord.

A clean bright spittoon all newly polished. At least I can offer that. Please do NOT pay for items before a combined invoice is sent, otherwise, items cannot be combined.

Item Description and Condition: Please see the item specifics for condition and details. Do not ask questions within the offer. Items may differ slightly from the photo if they are part of a multiple listing or have been re-listed. Item Packaging: We do not guarantee the condition of any packaging on any item. If an item is described as new it is the item inside the packaging we are describing not the packaging, new means the packaging has not been opened and the item inside is unused. Please pay within 2 days. Unpaid item reminders will be automatically sent after 2 days.

This could be for various reasons such as nonpayment of previous items, multiple cancellations, insulting offers, difficult communications, or rude remarks to us or our staff.