Onsite
Highest Bidder
Passed
Click image to enlarge
- Estimate
- $900 / $1,100
Description
16" (41 cm.) Bisque socket head, blue glass eyes, painted features, closed mouth, brunette mohair wig, cork torso enclosing mechanism, tin loosely jointed limbs with painted finish, and wearing factory-original blue cotton swim suit with lace trim. The doll is designed to "swim" when key-wound. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism functions well, small chip on right eye corner. Marks: 1079 Simon & Halbig S&H Germany 2. Comments: designed by Elie Martin, the toy was displayed at the 1878 Paris Exposition where it won a Medaille d'Or. The toy was discussed in an 1882 book "Les Jouets d'Enfants" by Demoulin: "The Ondine was invented by a highly talented and well educated individual who acquired a serious aversion to water as a young boy. He was wise enough not to try to conquer his instinctive revulsion to water by violent means, but instead had the idea of a swimming doll that would familiarize children with swimming...". Value Points: rare large size of the amusing doll, with original wig, swimsuit, and wonderfully functioning mechanism; when wound, she vigorously moves her hands, arms and legs in a brisk swimming motion.
Stuart's Take
Sure, I often rank this as number 5 on my list titled, "What Were They Thinking?" But that's what makes it special! Imagine how few must have survived a child placing this in water to swim, only to discover that mechanical dolls might not be best suited for immersion over time. Go for that, and the novelty of it all...it's really kind of a wonder and always a fun doll to demonstrate.