Extremely rare Pulgas Vestidas or Dressed Fleas.

Never before seen bulk 12 pack.
 
Each box is 2 match heads high by 3 match heads wide. Each doll's head is a flea, and each color of material is a different material.  there are 2 different displays. All photographs and microscope images are from actual items on auction. Photograph with Canadian $2.00 coin for scale.
A)  Bride and Groom (x 7) Each groom in a Tux, each Bride in veil, and has a bouquictttureet
B)  Farmer and wife 1 (x 5, Pink clothes) male dressed with sombrero, and carrying a bail of wood, and female in Mexican traditional head dress.
D) Bulk packaging (outer packaging for 12 pack (7x bride and grooms, 5x pink farmer and wife) Scribe on side of box Indios (in Spanish meaning Indians – to the best of my ability). The outer package is in good to poor condition, but has protected the 12 inner displays, to a pristine quality.

About this collection:

Condition of displays. These have been kept in a cigarette tin, stored in a drawer, and are in immaculate condition. Upon re-discovery while sorting items for sale/ disposal, Mr. Berkley's daughter roughly opened the outer 12 pack packaging. This was a refill package for a Pulgas Vestidas retail display from the early 1900's. In 25 years collecting Flea circus memorabilia, and antique flea items, I have never before seen a 12 package for sale. All dressed flea (Pulgas Vestidas) displays are immaculate, in like new condition considering their age, as they were not exposed to light or air.  

                The most interesting piece in this collection is the outer 12 package, which indicates the Pulgas Vestidas (dressed Fleas) were indeed shipped in bulk to retailers. This outer package (although poor to good condition) has the word Indios (in Spanish meaning Indians) This would indicate the displays were intended to be natives of the time. This is a crucial piece in the Pulgas Vestidas story.  

The Bride and groom display consists of a bride with a flowing dress and veil, and a green bouquet. The male is in a Tuxedo, black and white.  The Traditional male and female farmer, has the male in sombrero, carrying a bail of wood, with the female with traditional head piece. Both in traditional colored garments. The $2.00 Canadian coin is for scale only. The USB Microscope images are of the actual displays you will be receiving. Each display is slightly different as they are miniature works of art.

Pulgas Vestidas (Dressed Fleas) is a lost art form from Mexico. Dating the art form is well disputed. It is known Mexican dressed fleas were readily available during the late 1890's through the early 1930's. Exactly how long the folk art form was practiced, and where it started, and who taught the art form, and created these miniature sculptures is now a mystery.  It has been said funds were used to assist orphanages, and I have read at one time, the displays were made by Nuns. Some have suggested only one artist ever made the displays (however this does not fit the dating, as some University sites state the art form was practiced for over 100 years), or the fact they were sold in stores (as we have a bulk package). I have only once seen a photograph of a display board (and box) for Pulgas Vestidas. As they were readily available in areas of Mexico, and the lower US, and Oddity store across the US, I would presume the story of a monastery raising funds for an orphanage is the most viable. I'll let the pro's debate the issue. 

Related websites about Pulgas Vestidas (and how unique and rare they are) :

From Tim Cockerill Flea Circus curator:
[link removed by eBay]

From Michael A. Horvich 30 year quest to locate a Pulgas Vestidas:
[link removed by eBay]

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis:
[link removed by eBay]

There are many other web sites dedicated to dressed fleas, (Pulgas Vestidas).

A single Pulgas Vestidas (Dressed Flea) display recently sold on E-bay for $400.00 US on July 20 2016 – Auction 201628274290

What we know about the auction items:

As far back as we can track these items, this collection was purchased in Chicago Illinois by an Oddities store owner from Steubenville Ohio in 1921, as part of a retail display. This dates the collection made prior to 1920 as at that time Pulgas Vestidas were made exclusively by hand in Mexico. The oddities store closed in the 1940's, and during its clearance sale, the balance of the display board, and refill box was sold to M. Berkley. Upon Mr. Berkley's passing, they were left to his daughter in her 20’s.  We acquired the collection from Mr. Berkley’s daughter (now in her 90's).  Unfortunately, the display board was not purchased.

Mr. Berkley is an assumed name as the last owner does not want to be disturbed, as she has offered us everything she can remember about the items. We have seen receipts and documents related to a bulk purchase from the Oddities store concerning these items and others, including photographs, that date the purchase in 1921.

This is such a unique collection, but very valuable. The 12 individual displays alone are very unique, but the outer shipping shell is extremely rare.

This is a very unique item that tells part of the Pulgas Vestidas story.

No Pulgas Vestidas displays will be shipped until the auction has been paid, and cleared. Due to the historic nature, and demand for the items. Tracked, signed shipping to continental North America is included. Will ship Worldwide (with tracked and signed shipping) at additional expense.  All Over Seas bidders please contact us for authorization to bid. All non-paying bidders will be reported, and negative feedback left.

Good luck on the auction.