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Vintage French Toy "Les Acrobates" Circa 1920

Creator: G. Doloy
Offered by: Clive Devenish Antiques

Description
Rare 100 year old French toy in it's original box depicting two acrobats attached to a wire frame with brown barrel weights, cascading down a green metal ladder. Once assembled (loop the hand painted black support frame over the bottom rung of the green ladder); the two clowns in frame are placed in the top slots provided at the side of the ladder; let go and the clowns will flip over a few times until they reach the bottom. The toy is completely original and in excellent original hand painted colors of orange and yellow clowns, with a hand painted green ladder. The clowns are tin, mounted in a wire frame, with a metal ladder.
The original box is lithographed with the clowns performing and markings "Les Acrobates" "Made in France" "P.F. No. 450", "IMP. G. Doloy. Paris".
Dimensions: 19" high (with acrobats in place) x 4" wide (acrobat frame) x 15 1/2" deep

I have never seen this toy before, and the combination of being boxed, being rare, with a unique action, makes it especially desirable among collectors of vintage toys. I found it in an estate sale in Woodside, California.
Upon request I can provide a brief 30 second video of the "action".

More Information

Documentation:
Origin:	France
Period:	1920-1949
Condition:	Near mint with original box
Creation Date:	Circa 1920
Number of Pieces:	2-3
Styles / Movements:	Folk Art, Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	257650

Dimensions

W.	4 in;	H.	19 in;	D.	15.5 in;
W.	10.16 cm;	H.	48.26 cm;	D.	39.37 cm;

Message from Seller:

We are specialists in the field of antique mechanical coin banks. These rare and unique items were sold during the late 1800's and early 1900's to encourage and educate young children on the importance of saving money, with the majority of them having been made in America. We are leading experts in this field and one of the foremost dealers, having traded in mechanical banks since 1976.