Posted 8 years ago
nancy805
(1 item)
Okay. This has been looked at in person by Noel Barrett and Tin Toy Works in PA. Both call it whirly clowns on Bantom or Banton. TTW said is was French. Noel said maybe German. The broken string inside the bantom stick was replaced and know to operate you pull the string and the clown head goes up and down. the little clown goes round and round. That is how it is operated. I just want to know anything I can about my family toy. What country of origin? Any auction results so I know how to insure it? Circa date of mfg? If anyone can help me....thank you.
Can you please put up three more photos? One just isn't enough.
Noel Barrett is an expert in toys and games. I would have thought he would have given you an estimate of worth and also some background info (more than just the country) on your toy.
Noel Barett and Joe the Toy Fixer renowned, who Noel sent my toy to do not agree.
Noel said perhaps German circa 1915 but Joe said French. I just want to find some comps. Joe said he has fixed this type of "friction pull toy" as he describes it before but not clowns.
Joe and Barbara at Tin Toys Works.
Our Efesgirl is correct, of course, Noel Barrett is the premier expert in toys, if he couldn't help you out, doubtful anyone here can do better.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/season/19/albuquerque-nm/appraisals/clown-on-globe-mechanical-bank-ca-1890--201405A24
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/season/4/tampa-fl/appraisals/lambert-magician-automaton--199901A44
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/season/19/santa-clara-ca/appraisals/lambert-magician-automaton-ca-1900--201402A40
Noel just said it was very unusual. He was guessing country of origin and circa. He did not say an estimate on value. Joe Freeman, the toy restorer said he thought $800 and French made. He also thought at one time the whirly clown might have had lead feet to keep him seated upright. Because he is top heavy now he remains in a head stand when not operating. But Joe did not recommend adding any weights simply for esthetic reasons. I was hoping there was another Toy Expert I could show this to. Noel is well-respected. Even Bonham's Auction house referred me to Noel on my toy. Thanks everyone! I guess my family toy will remain unresolved. Since Joe at TTW took the time to speak with me on the phone and said he's repaired similar toys like mine in the past 40 yrs he's been in business I guess Im gonna take his opinion over Noel and call it French.
Without a box, some sort of marking on the puppet or the discovery of the exact same puppet somewhere else, then it's more or less all guesswork.
I'd call it detective work vice guesswork.
Many antiques/ collectibles don't have their original box or marks.
Collectors/ dealers use their experience/ knowledge based on the object's clues and origins of similar pieces to determine age and origin.
It happens every day on this site. And often there are disagreements about conclusions.
scott
Indeed. Thank you for your comments. It is a very whimsical toy.
Agree it is whimsical-- wish I could help you out on it!
Thanks for sharing-- hope that someone here can shed some more light on it.
scott
Me too! First I thought it was a clockwork toy as the back ( photo not shown) looked as if a key wound it up to function. I was surprised when Joe at TTW said it was missing a string and bead end inside the batom stick and that is how it operated. He knows a lot. Tin Toy Works in PA. I highly recommend him. He charged $65 to do the repair/replacement and reseat the whirly little clown in its proper position.
Let's sit and wait for the toy experts to offer their opinions, then.
The String Museum of Play believes it German circa 1900-1920. Same company that produced Jack in the Boxes probably took spare puppets and mfgd them as a hand held toy. She showed me a similar toy in their collection. It was missing the twirly child clown and someone had replaced it with a homemade wooden pinwheel with bells. I think the mystery has been solved! Thanks everyone.