Posted 12 years ago
ilikecoinop
(7 items)
Was talking to a local barber while my son was getting his hair cut and noticed the pole on the outside of his store. Casually asked him where one gets a barber pole these days - thought it would be neat to hang one up in the rec room. One of the other barbers piped up and said he had an old one in his basement that had just been sitting around and his wife would love to get it out of the house. Said he would probably sell it if I wanted to come by and look. Sounded interesting so I met him after work one day and he comes out with this beast. It was much larger than what I was looking for but it was so unusual I figured if I didn't buy it I would never see another one. From my research it is a Koken pole from the late 20s-early 30s, its porcelain coated cast iron and weighs about 80 lbs so you can't exactly hang it on a drywall stud.
It came with the original clock windup motor, but it sat in water for a while at one time in its life and has quite a bit of rust damage. I was able to clean it up and get it functional again although the mainspring has failed due to the rust. I removed the spring, but the mech would work if I replaced it. I don't think I will because the pole also has an electric motor which is much more convenient. I have rewired the motor and lighting and just put a generic globe on top which looks too small, but will have to do until I find a suitable place to hang it.
Should have asked this when I first posted, but does anyone have any idea on a rough value for a barber pole like this? I have searched around quite a bit and have never seen one quite like it. I don't know if the bigger size helps or hurts it, I would suspect it would hurt, but I really know almost nothing about these. Not looking to sell, but have thought about getting the porcelien redone and want to know if its worth the investment. Thanks in adavnce to any experts out there.
Great find
I have a marvy 55 pole no room to hang it. Seller on e bay advertises one as rare at $2800 but I think it has been restored. Mine orig and stripes are deteroiating but still lites and lites up. I like yours better, great find
Picking,
I would love for your estimate to be even remotely in the ballpark. I only paid $200 for this one and the reporcelain estimate is about $400. Would love to have it restored, but would definately need to find a way to display it appropriately.
You made a steal. My husband's family had a Barber Supply in Modesto, CA since 1934. I have spent many hours selling stuff. Unfortunately, my husband's Dad threw out most of the wind ups when the electric ones came in. Didn't think they would be worth it. I sold our last Barber pole, a Marvy made in 1955 for $900. still in the box. No porcelain or anything. I do have Marvy pole parts and cylinders still in the warehouse and we may be having to move whatever we have left if we don't keep the property. Contact my husband at Kal@kirkle.com if you need any parts. Never know, we might still have some springs laying around. The Barber Supply business basically died with the internet and Costcos and Sally Beauty. We last order anything major in 1991.
Hey ilikecoinop
I saw your old barber pole comments and I have several of that type pole. I need some parts for wind up motors. If you ever decide to part with the old motor or know anybody with parts, I would be interested.
MickeyH