Penny & Gentles - Northwood
Tom Mordini introduced this double handgrip advertising plate to the carnival community in 2000. It is now one of two pieces known in the pattern; the other is a flat plate. Both are amethyst. The lettering under the name says, “Broadway and Morgan.” The exterior is plain, unusual for Northwood advertising pieces.

Tom noted in his December 2000 ACGA announcement of his find that he also was able to obtain a rare Penny and Gentles catalog from fall and winter 1892. It is a 112-page catalog of their dry goods line. The logo “Penny and Gentles” on the catalog is in the same script typeface as on the plate.

Photo courtesy of Seeck Auctions.

 The second known Penny and Gentles piece was also introduced to the carnival community by Tom, although it took him another thirteen years to come up with it.

This 6.25-inch amethyst plate, from the same mould as the double handgrip, also has a plain back. It sold most recently at the Engels (Wroda) auction. It was found at a garage sale in Madison, Wisconsin. Tom says he is sure there are more Penny and Gentles pieces out there waiting to surface. The odds of his getting the only two in existence are astronomical.

Photo courtesy of Wroda Auctions.