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Author Topic: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod  (Read 4285 times)

peegee

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Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« on: September 20, 2012, 06:23:04 pm »
Hey there, can anyone help me find out more about this Black Boy Figurine with a clockwork head nod. He’s from Christian Hofmann’s workshop in Rodach bei Coburg, the company exists today but they have not replied to my emails. I would love to know the answer to some questions. How old is he? How was he dressed? What was he used for? We think he may have been a display to sell cigars or rum.
Any help would be great.
Regards, Phil.
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wendy177

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2012, 06:42:19 pm »
If the company is still up & running do you have a link to a site for them??
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bigwull

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2012, 06:56:03 pm »
this is the site Wendy

http://www.hofmann-figuren.de
« Last Edit: September 20, 2012, 07:00:52 pm by bigwull »
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KC

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2012, 10:59:48 pm »
The company site says that they are being represented at several upcoming event...so bet they are pretty busy if they aren't a big company.  They are represented at amusement parks, stores, etc.
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bbc-antiques.co.uk

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2012, 02:28:50 am »
used to advertise
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ghopper1924

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2012, 05:26:47 am »
Agree with BBC. His right arm was obviously shaped to hold something. You might see his like on the sidewalks of Germany.
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bigwull

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2012, 05:42:57 am »
No sidewalks in Germany....only cycle paths and pavements....and i doubt if you will ever see anything like this..as it was export only...i got a friend of mine in Germany to phone the company...value wise...is around $350+...depending on where sold....
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ghopper1924

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2012, 08:31:57 am »
"No sidewalks in Germany"

What? I used to see figures like this all the time....on sidewalks....on the streets of Mainz, where I lived for a year. They were usually advertising confections of some sort, to be found at the shop directly behind, but they could - and were - used to advertise many different things.
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bigwull

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2012, 09:58:56 am »
Quote from: ghopper1924 on September 21, 2012, 08:31:57 am
"No sidewalks in Germany"

What? I used to see figures like this all the time....on sidewalks....on the streets of Mainz, where I lived for a year. They were usually advertising confections of some sort, to be found at the shop directly behind, but they could - and were - used to advertise many different things.
Pavements...there, here, everywhere....excep t in the US.... :D
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ghopper1924

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2012, 10:22:10 am »
Ah, a new usage to add to my vocabulary.  ;)
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wendy177

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2012, 10:26:38 am »
How tall is this boy??  The site and work they do is amazing!! Like Disney imagineers!!  I too would love to know how he was dressed!! Phil were did you get him and if you do not mind my asking what did he cost you.
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bigwull

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #11 on: September 21, 2012, 10:28:45 am »
likewise for me...sidewalks,boardwalks,...moms....gas,..liquor,..station wagons.....the list is endless.... ;D
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peegee

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2012, 05:39:30 pm »
Hey all, thanks for all your feedback. Hey Wendy, he's been in my wife's family for many years, her grandmother collected dolls and this was part of her collection. No idea what she paid for him. He stands about 70 cm high.
I have props building business here in New Zealand (bombprops.co.nz), and my mother in law asked me to repair his hand that had been smashed, which we did. And now I would like to have some clothes made for him and would like it to be something similar to his original outfit. I'm thinking some kind of Bell Boy garb, maybe with a Fez. 
His age is still a puzzle, looking at the materials he's made of (plaster, paper mache) and that he's clockwork, and the fact that he's somewhat of an caricature of a black boy, I think he must be pre 1960s.
If anyone has a better idea I'd love to hear it.
Regards, Phil.
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wendy177

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Re: Black Boy Figurine with clockwork nod
« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2012, 08:32:21 pm »
Awesome!!! My 8 year old was VERY  impressed with the motorbikes & quads for the Power Rangers!! He knew from the first photo of just the black & gold quad it was for the Rangers!  Phil Most advertising that was done using black images was done from the 1800 to the 1950s.  Hofmann’s company started in 1878 so I would say with composition and clockworks your piece was made after 1890 but no later than 1940s. These images were used as tradecards, fans,statues holding signs or in rare cases mannequins. All to advertise a wide range of products even anything with the word black or white in the product name.  Everything I have looked at for advertising, photos, dolls etc..  the children are barefoot or have lace up boots on so the sandals puzzle me ( maybe a German thing??).  But I think these may hold the key as to how he was dressed.  Really cool piece!!
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