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Article: Tin clown toys have been in motion since 1800s
- Article from:
- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI)
- Article date:
- October 7, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2001 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Antiques
Tin clown toys have been in motion since 1800s
By RALPH AND TERRY KOVEL
Cowles Syndicate
Sunday, October 7, 2001
Clowns have always been popular children's toys. Tin toys shaped
like clowns date to the mid-19th century. But collectors who want
affordable collectibles probably should concentrate on the postwar
tin toys made in Japan, Europe or the United States in the 1950s and
'60s.
Many of the toys were "wind-ups" that were made of brightly
decorated tin. A key-wind made the clown climb a pole, ride a
unicycle or play a violin or drum. The movement was created by a
clockwork mechanism that could easily break. It is difficult to
repair.
In good condition, these toys sell for $100 to ...