Hand Painted & Jointed DANCING TOY or Phonograph Dancer Circa 1920 – 1930

This Black Americana HAND PAINTED & JOINTED PHONOGRAPH DANCER, circa 1920 to 1930, boasts a painted body, face, and legs of approximately ½” or less width depth wood, and is about 10” tall. Attached via a chest buttonhole, a 16 ¾” rod enables the toy to dance when moved. A "tuxedo" style shirt with red bowtie and red cork hat complete the look, although the cork is slightly chipped and a leg appears to have been repaired with string.

About Black Americana:  Black Americana treasures reflect African American history and its struggle against racial injustice. Opinion is divided on whether to preserve these artifacts, as some believe it prolongs racist attitudes while others see it as a way to educate future generations on the importance of tolerance and social justice.

Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg, Spike Lee, and Anita Pointer (lead singer of the singing group, the Pointer Sisters), all collect Black Memorabilia, Lee used some of his objects in his movie Bamboozled. One of the largest collectors of Black Americana is Dr. David Pilgrim, who donated his large collection to Ferris University to found the Jim Crow Museum.

Dr. Pilgrim used a poignant quote to sum up the purpose of these artifacts: “Use items of intolerance to teach tolerance and promote social justice.”

For more information and to better understand Black Americana, visit the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University.