This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.

This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.

This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.

This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.

Celluloid, the first entirely synthetic plastic, was invented by John Wesley Hyatt (1837-1920) of Albany in 1869. It is created from nitrocellulose and camphor along with dyes and other agents. Hyatt first developed the material as a less expensive alternative to ivory in the production of billiard balls. Hyatt's invention was patented in 1869 and subsequently used for a wide range of objects, both in imitation of expensive animal products like ivory, horn, and tortoiseshell, and also as an inexpensive medium for objects such as dresser sets, jewelry, picture frames, and advertising giveaways. Celluloid, which is both flammable and fragile, was gradually supplanted by the stronger Bakelite in the 1920s. Celluloid continues to be used today for making Ping Pong balls and guitar picks.

Celluloid, the first entirely synthetic plastic, was invented by John Wesley Hyatt (1837-1920) of Albany in 1869. It is created from nitrocellulose and camphor along with dyes and other agents. Hyatt first developed the material as a less expensive alternative to ivory in the production of billiard balls. Hyatt's invention was patented in 1869 and subsequently used for a wide range of objects, both in imitation of expensive animal products like ivory, horn, and tortoiseshell, and also as an inexpensive medium for objects such as dresser sets, jewelry, picture frames, and advertising giveaways. Celluloid, which is both flammable and fragile, was gradually supplanted by the stronger Bakelite in the 1920s. Celluloid continues to be used today for making Ping Pong balls and guitar picks.

This Ouija Board, used by the donor's mother, was made around 1920 by William Fuld of Baltimore. First patented in 1891 by Elijah Bond and Charles Kennard, the talking board uses a planchette (small heart-shaped piece of wood) to indicate a spirit's message by spelling it out on the board during a séance. Participants place their fingers on the planchette, which moves about the board to spell out words. William Fuld took over production of the talking board in 1901 and coined the name "Ouija," a combination of the French and German words for "yes." The heyday of Ouija Boards was the 1920s through the 1960s; in 1966 Fuld's estate sold the business to Parker Brothers.

The United States Lines' luxury oceanliner S.S. "United States," designed by New York naval architect Francis Gibbs, plied the route between New York and Le Havre from 1952 to 1969. Built to be fireproof and capable of record speeds, the ship made the Atlantic crossing in 3 ½ days and reportedly reached a cruising speed of 40 knots. The arrival of the "United States" in New York harbor was a noteworthy event. Gibbs, who maintained an office downtown, always greeted the ship upon its arrival in New York harbor. With the ascendance of the jet age in the 1960s, oceanliners fell out of favor, and the ship was withdrawn from service in 1969. (Today it remains docked on the Delaware River in Philadelphia). This die-cast model, built on a 1:1200 scale, may have been sold in a souvenir shop on the ship. Such models, marketed to children, were sold individually or in sets that included harbor accessories.