Funji Sudan buffalo hide warrior's shield. Africa, 19th century. Measures 49 inches high and 14 inches wide. Excellent patina, original condition. WIKIPEDIA: The Funj are an ethnic group in present-day Sudan. The Funj set up the Funj Sultanate with Abdallah Jamma and ruled the area for several centuries. The Funj rose in southern Nubia and had overthrown the remnants of the old Christian kingdom of Alodia. In 1504 a Funj leader named Amara Dunqas, founded the Black Sultanate at Sannar (the capital). The Black Sultanate soon became the keystone of the Funj Empire. The origins of the Funj are not clearly known. However, there are three different hypotheses regarding their origin. The Funj claimed to be descendants of Banu Umayya through those who escaped the slaughter of their family by the Abbasids and fled to Abyssinia and thence into the Nubian territory. Since the Ja'alin claimed descent from the Abbasids and the Abdallab from the Juhayna, the Funj may have claimed Umayyad descent to express their superiority to their subject peoples.

Illustrated British Firearms Patents 1714-1853. Limited edition published by Winchester Press in 1969; marked #611 out of 1000 copies printed. Excellent condition. Measures 10.75 inches by 7.5 inches. Compiled and edited by Stephen V. Grancsay and Merrill Lindsay.

Nippon-To: Art Swords of Japan / The Walter A. Compton Collection. This beautifully bound harcover book is the catalogue of the exhibition of Japan House Gallery shown in the spring of 1976 as an activity of Japan Society, Inc. It is in excellent condition with the original jacket and slipcase. It also includes the original folder with a tipped-in print of a Miyamoto Musashi painting entitled "Sleeping Hotei." The book measures 10.5 x 15 x 1 inches.

5th edition The Winchester Book by George Madis, signed by the author. The Art and Reference House, Brownsboro, Texas, 1979. Limited edition of 1000 copies (none are numbered). Embossed brown leatherette cover stamped in gold. Measures 11.25 x 9 x 1.5 inches. Very good condition, tight and clean.

Civil War document. Recruiting officers bill to Middletown, CT, dated October 6th, 1862. Amount of expenses for recruiting company by William Addis, David B. Buck, and J. C. Camp. Printing costs $4, garrisons $.75, office rent $1, board for men $2, expenses for horse $10.75, paid to recruits $14.50, sundries (flag rope etc) $1.33. Signed by William Addis, Daniel Buck and L. E. Camp. Measures 7.5 x 6.5 inches. Excellent condition.