$5,500
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sold
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Description
17" (43 cm.) Standing upon a velvet-covered platform behind a velvet-covered table with a painted tin mouse cage is a bisque-head doll with blue glass paperweight eyes, closed mouth, brunette mohair wig, carton torso and legs, bisque forearms, wearing pretty antique costume, and holding a baton in one hand and the string to open the mouse cage in the other. When wound, two mechanisms operate in synchronism: the girl lifts her head and then lifts her left arm to open the door of the cage, allowing the mouse to timidly emerge and then whirl around as though to scurry back into the cage. Music plays throughout. Marks: M (doll). Condition: generally excellent, music and mechanism function well. Comments: Charles Rambour, circa 1895. Rambour acquired the rights to the Bru mechanical "surprise" patents in 1893 and created amusing articles such as this for next seven years. Value Points: delightful vignette with surprisingly intricate mechanism that adds to its appeal.