$750
Sold
sold
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Description
9 1/2" (24 cm.) doll. 28" overall. The cast metal head of the gentleman has painted black hair brows, outlined eyes, wide moustache and goatee, with clockwork mechanism inside the paper-wrapped torso which connects to metal hinged legs and feet; his metal hands are clasping a weighted metal rod, and when wound, the clockwork mechanism provides a stepping movement to legs; the toy was designed to be placed at a slight angle, a cord to be tautly pulled, the man to walk the tight rope. Condition: original finish, costume and mechanism, ball at one end missing, without key. Comments: American, the toy was patented by Henry House of Connecticut on November 29, 1870. Value Points: rare early American patent toy with original finish and costume.