Molded Plastic AUNT JEMIMA & MOSE SHAKERS 3 ½” Black Americana Circa 1940s

These AUNT JEMIMA & MOSE salt & pepper shakers, standing at 3 ½” tall, were created by Fiedler & Fiedler Mold and Die Works Company in Dayton, Ohio during the late 1940s. Made from molded hard red plastic with painted features, these Black Americana figures portray Aunt Jemima and Uncle Mose, and were part of a promotional give-away campaign for pancake mix with Quaker Oats. 

Aunt Jemima is adorned in a red dress, headscarf, and white apron while Uncle Mose sports a red suit jacket, yellow slacks, and bowtie. In wonderful condition with minimal loss. The bottom of each shaker is marked with the maker's name and "Made in the USA." The back of the Aunt Jemima shaker is also embossed, Aunt Jemima. Both still have the original stopper.

The inspiration for these characters came from songs, with Aunt Jemima based on a vaudeville tune and Uncle Mose derived from "Old Man Mose", a song written by jazz legends Louis Armstrong

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 start the Jim Crow Museum.

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