Comments on: Clowns — The Hearts of the Circus Make Great Collectible Category

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:52:14 +0000

Check out this for a Lou Jacobs item:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180983569568?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

By: Larry Kellogg

Larry Kellogg — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:45:04 +0000

These stand-ups are hardly ever offered on Internet auctions sites. Because of their size they are difficult and expensive to ship. But keep looking. You may find one someday.

By: Brian Wright

Brian Wright — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:46:53 +0000

Who would I need to contact for the Tom and Tammy cutout? I would pay serious money for that.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:37:39 +0000

Thanks

By: Larry Kellogg

Larry Kellogg — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:23:39 +0000

Tammy,

The Felix the Clown wooden plaque you describe was sold by Willitts Galleries. I wrote an article about circus collectibles licensed by Ringling and mention these items in the article. You will see an illustration of a tiger music box with a Barnum & Bailey poster in the background in the article. The clown you describe is similar except your clown doesn’t have a music box. Here’s a link to the article: http://www.worthpoint.com/article/ringling-name-sells-products

By: Tammy

Tammy — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:39:40 +0000

I forgot to mention Felix is wearing a costume that is white with red polka dots on it, he is holding a pig and feeding it with a baby bottle.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:06:28 +0000

I have a Felix the clown wooden plaque the backing on it has the 1933 poster posted on the back of the plaque to wood. The Felix figure stands in the middle of the wooden base, as well as an autograph on the base beside of the figure. I have been searching through to see if I could get an idea of what it would be worth but I have not seen another piece like this anywhere on the web.

By: Larry Kellogg

Larry Kellogg — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:30:28 +0000

Without seeing your clowns it would be difficult to offer a suggestion.

By: aprille rudley

aprille rudley — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:10:18 +0000

Hello
About 10 years ago I was given a present of four clowns ranging from 10″ to 8″. All four were distinct in colors and style (very beautiful). they are heavy so I know they’re not paper mache and don’t look like ceramic (not sure). These clown dolls belonged to her grandmother who was in her 90′s. I love clowns and have had them this long not knowing what to do with them. Two of them can sit and the others stand. I’ve had them wrapped and placed away but now I have to move. Any suggesstions?
waiting to hear
aprille

By: Larry Kellogg

Larry Kellogg — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:48:58 +0000

Harvey,
Your figurine sounds very interesting but to the typical collector of circus memorabilia it would have no interest. If you ever decided to part with it you might try posting a Classified ad on the Worthpoint.com site.

By: Harvey Utech

Harvey Utech — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 06:15:12 +0000

Interesting piece.

I have a rather different clown collectible that is not based on the circus but on opera.

It is a Hutschenreuter ceramic figurine, about 8 inches high of the clown and leading character, Canio from the opera, “Il Pagliacci”. The opera incorporates the famous aria, “Ridi, Pagliaccio”. The piece is all the more unique in that the face is an excellent likeness of Enrico Caruso who sang the role often at the Metropolitan Opera at the beginning of the last century.

I purchased the ceramic back in the early 80s, as best I can recall, from the Metropolitan Opera as part of what I thought was to be a series. I have the second ceramic in that series, “Madama Butterfly”. But then I lost touch with the Met and with the series; I have often wondered if others were issued. And I have found it difficult to find more information about my pieces and the series. (Perhaps someone at Worthpoint can help?)

I dearly love the piece but as I get older, I start to wonder more about its present value. On the Worth website, I found that one of these had sold several years ago for $250. Seems to me it is a bargain at that price.

But what do I know? Right now, I don’t think I’d want to part with it at any price–well, almost any. :-)

Harvey Utech