Video of whistlling hobo
Ebay information Karl Grisbaum's Whistling Tramp Made between 1920's - 1940's
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/Historical-Memorabilia/Antique-Whistling-Hobo/1000297839"Karl Griesbaum started his workshop in Triberg, Germany, in 1905. At first he carved singing-bird boxes, then graduated to whistling figures in the 1920s. You probably have one of the four versions of his Whistling Tramp figures. They were made and sold as recently as 1970. They originally sold for about $140 each. Today, in fine condition, they bring $500."
"Fortunately, the dying art of singing bird boxes has experienced a renaissance. The fact that the the original mechanism is still a standard for the music box production is in itself a sufficient tribute to the originator, Jaquet-Droz. However, the design was perfected by Karl Griesbaum in 1905 in Germany when he added safeguards and devices to include a slow-closing lid and safety device that prevents damage to the mechanism should the lid be closed during its' play. A "Karl Griesbaum Workshop" (meaning that the movements and mechanics are produced in exacting likeness to the originals manufactured in 1905) has been established in which the beloved music boxes are still being hand made in the Black Forest today. Other than the stamped number insignia that represents the registered date of manufacture, these heirloom boxes are indiscernible from the originals and are truly appreciable."
http://www.victoriantradingco.com/store/catalogimages/4f/i12288.html
