Posts Tagged ‘Saxophone Collectibles’
A Historic, Vintage Collectible Toy Sax
Author: Helen
I happened to come across an interesting toy sax collectible last night on eBay. Besides appealing to those who might collect saxophone-shaped things, this might also appeal to those World’s Fair collectors out there.
Source: eBay.com
The seller writes this about this little toy horn:
Fun, unusual item – a toy tine saxophone from the 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair in Chicago.
The souvenir sax measures 4 1/2″ long.
It bears a sticker from the fair – a bit scratched, but clearly shows this was sold at the Chicago’s COP. The label partially covers the word “Japan” – place of manufacture.
Anyone else see some irony—and as it turns out, more than a little foreshadowing—here? The 1933 World’s Fair theme was A Century Of Progress, and this little tin toy was imported from Japan.
When exactly did we start importing most of our stuff from Asia? I didn’t realize that this trend was beginning as early as 1933.
Other examples of vintage saxophone-shaped toys might have come from Europe, but the rest were made in the U.S.A. This is certainly the earliest one from the Asian continent that I’ve come across.
As it turns out, this particular little toy sax from the World’s Fair might have lost its original lustre. Here is what the seller wrote in response to a question about the finish:
Q: Can you tell me about any rusting or damage to the saxophone? Thanks.
A: No rust or damage. I think the saxophone at one time must have had a silver coating. There is a small amount of silver residue. Now it’s uniformly worn down to the base tin. I will post another picture (of the reverse view) this weekend to try to show this. Thanks for asking.
The auction for this saxophone collectible runs until September 5. Bids are to start at $9.99. At the time of writing there were no bids yet on this souvenir of the 1933 World’s Fair.
© 2010, The Bassic Sax Blog. All rights reserved.
Vintage Magnus Toy Saxophone For Sale
Author: Helen
I happened to come across a very unusual saxophone collectible the other day on eBay: a minty Magnus Saxophone #1500. This vintage toy is in quite remarkable shape, and comes complete with its original box, mouthpiece, and neck strap.
Source: eBay.com
The seller describes this little toy sax like this:
HELLO=HERE UP FOR AUCTION WITH =============((( NO RESERVE PRICE)))=AND A VERY LOW STARTING PRICE IS A VINTAGE MAGNUS TOY SAXOPHONE IN ORIGINAL BOX.THIS SAXOPHONE REALLY PLAYS,AND COMES WITH MOUTH PIECE AND SHOULDER STRAP,,MADE BY MAGNUS HARMONICA CORP,NEWARK N.J.,USA,GREAT FOR YOUR COLLECTION OR YOUNG SON OR DAUGHTER,MEASURES ABOUT 17 AND 1/2 INCHES LONG AND THE SOUND BELL HORN IS 4 AND 1/4 INCHES WIDE,,COMES IN THE THE ORIGINAL BOX,WITH HANDLE ,,BOX DOES SHOW AGE BUT STILL OPENS AND CLOSES AND LATCHES SHUT,,PLEASE VEIW PHOTOS,FOR ALL MEASUREMENTS,ASK QUESTIONS, IF YOU NEED ANY OTHER INFO PLEASE EMAIL ME,AND VEIW ALL PHOTOS,,THIS TOX SAX IS BEING SOLD AS IS,PLEASE BID ACCORDINGLY ,YOU BE THE JUDGE,DUE TO THIS IS A VINTAGE TOY IAM SELLING AS FOUND,,IAM SELLING THIS VINTAGE TOY SAXOPHONE AS IS SHOWN IN PHOTOS,PLEASE VEIW ALL PHOTOS AND ASK QUESTIONS ,SO THIS TOY MEETS YOUR STANDARDS,,THIS IS A AUCTION SO ALL SALES ARE AND WILL BE FINAL,NO RETURNS NO REFUNDS,SORRY THIS TOY SAXOPHONE MUST BE SHIPPED OUT,I WILL PACKAGE AND DOUBLE BOX THIS VINTAGE TOY VERY VERY WELL FOR SHIPPING TO YOU,SHIPPING COST IS $ 17.50 WITHIN THE 48 STATESTHANK YOU AND HAPPY BIDDING TO ALL
Is anyone deaf yet? 
I wish sellers wouldn’t yell at us.
Seriously though, there are few things that make this vintage saxophone-shaped toy noteworthy:
- Although the box shows signs of wear, the sax itself is very minty, and the strap looks like it has never even been unwrapped. This makes me wonder if this toy was used much—or perhaps at not all.
- All the parts appear to be there.
- This is a Magnus toy saxophone, not one a Proll-O-Tone.
Source: eBay.com
I wish sellers of real saxophones would add this many pictures—and I didn’t even use them all.
This Magnus toy saxophone was designed by Finn Haakon Magnus, the godfather of plastic free reed instruments. Magnus most likely held more patents for free reed designs than anyone else.
When Magnus later devoted himself to the design of sea fishing vessels, the Proll Toy company assumed the production of many of his designs. Proll-O-Tone toy saxophones appear on eBay on occasion. If you would like to see some of the different models of Proll-O-Toy saxophones, or read more about Finn Haakon Magnus, check out the Proll-O-Tone page on my main site.
The auction for this Magnus Saxophone #1500 runs until August 9. Bids are to start at $34.00 At the time of writing there were no bids yet on this minty saxophone collectible.
© 2010, The Bassic Sax Blog. All rights reserved.
There’s A Couesnophone, AKA A Goofus, on eBay Right Now
Author: Helen
I was quite surprised when I happened to accidentally stumble across this vintage horn on eBay this morning. Couesnophones are pretty uncommon little creatures, and this one doesn’t look too badly beaten up.
Source: eBay.com
Luckily there are lots of pictures, because the seller doesn’t give us much info to go on.
The seller, dr. strangegroove, writes:
VINTAGE PARIS COUESNON & CIE BREVRTE SGDG SAXOPHONE OLD
SOLD AS IS USED CONDITION, IS IN GOOD PLAYING CONDITION, I SEE NO DAMAGE OR OTHERS, HAS BEEN IN STORAGE, PLEASE BID WITH CONFIDENCE, BUYER PAYS $20.00 S&H LOWER 48 USA. ALL OTHERS PAY ACTUAL SHIPPING, THANKS. HAVE NOT TRYED TO CLEAN OR OTHERS, SEE PICTURES, ASK QUESTIONS. INTERNATIONAL BIDS / BUYERS MUST ASK ABOUT SHIPPING COST AND OTHERS.
OK, no need to shout. We hear you dr. strangegroove. You’ve got a cool, vintage, free reed instrument for sale.
Unfortunatley, it appears to be missing its mouthpiece.
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
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Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Couesnophones were made by the French conglomerate of small musical instrument manufacturers, Couesnon, during the 1920s. These saxophone-shaped instruments had a number of nicknames, including Goofus.
If you’d like to find out more about the Goofus, check out the Couesnophone page on my main site.
The auction for this vintage Goofus runs until July 28. At the time of writing there were 8 bids on this vintage horn. The high bid was $89.00.
© 2010, The Bassic Sax Blog. All rights reserved.
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