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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Mizmelzy on December 16, 2012, 07:35:08 PM
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When I was little I had this Santa that the base would wind up and the santa would turn around. I don't remember what he played, but I assume it was a christmas tune. I always thought it was from the early 70's as I was born in 76. But the more I saw Santa's from the mid 40's to early 50's they looked quite similar in features. I'm thinking this was actually my father's musical santa. Since my father has passed and so has my grandmother I have no one to ask. I will post pictures below. The black wooden part at the bottom that you turned to wind up the Santa broke off. Who would I take this to, to have it restored? All it needs is a little glue for the sash and a wooden piece made for the bottom so he could be wound up. Thanks in advance!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p3dZYJASv9U/UM5y91YZFXI/AAAAAAAACFM/VbHpaa7Nvm4/s408/12+-+4) Close-up of face
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bC--tJGGoM4/UM5y92MjueI/AAAAAAAACFM/WAOi4fpprSg/s408/12+-+3) Bottom
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A8J1BzVOPt8/UM5y94t-P2I/AAAAAAAACFM/9BZqoVxDOt0/s408/12+-+1) Full View
If anyone has any ideas from when this was, who made it? Was it a toy? Or a decoration?
Thanks
Melissa
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Well,, I would agree that it looks more 40`s or 50`s than 70`s !! It was just a round wooden base that you turn to wind ?? Do you still have the one that broke off ??
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No I don't. It was round and made of black wood. probably about 1/4 of an inch thick and about as wide as the bottom of the santa. When you wound him up he would spin around on the black base.
Melissa
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This looks like that time period. Was the music in Santa or the base?
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the music piece was in Santa...the base was the winder..which would be very easy to make providing thr "key"for the music piece is present
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The black wooden part at the bottom that you turned to wind up the Santa broke off.
Looking at the picture of the bottom .... I'm guessing that might be a "threaded" connection because of the fabric covering.
If so, then its an easy fix.
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The music part was inside Santa. I'm trying to find pictures of when I was little that show the black base. I know one in particular where I was probably 1 1/2 and I was holding him head towards me and it shows his bottom perfectly. Just have to look through boxes and boxes of pictures. I will post when I find it. I know that when the base broke, it still worked. I remember that it twisted off the bottom. I did that a lot when I was little taking it off and on, and I probably stripped the threading on the wood base so it didn't stay on anymore. I have not found something small enough to twist the metal screw in the bottom to see if it will play. I would think it should if it worked right up until the bottom came off.
I was only allowed to play with it at Christmas, but when I did, I usually slept with it. It was more like a doll to me than anything else. But for being well loved it's in really good condition
Mel
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Nice story of a Christmas tradition for you.
Like the others said, you should be able to fix it!
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Here is a picture of the base. Surprisingly, it's a white base. Which was not the base I remember. I know that one I would twist off and on was a black wooden base. So I'm thinking that it must have been fixed once already sometime after the picture was taken.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b779Uf8aAUw/UM8Wf_Hg2sI/AAAAAAAACGM/qJWqAW9JjjI/w439-h669-p-k/scan0066.jpg)
I did try using a tweezers to see if I would wind it up a bit. I got two tings out of it. So it still works. But not sure who I should take it to, to be fixed? Someone who works with dolls or possibly music boxes??
Mel
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Also, would anyone know it's value. It doesn't matter to me if it's worth $1 or $5,000. I'd never sell it, but it would be nice to know. :)
Mel
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On a side note, I did find a Santa that someone was selling on etsy which is from the 1950's and the faces look pretty identical! All though her's looks more beat up than mine.
Etsy 1950's wind up musical santa
http://www.etsy.com/listing/118304923/vintage-1950s-wind-up-musical-santa?utm_source=googleproduct&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=GPS&gclid=COP24PzZorQCFYZaMgodGSsAhw (http://www.etsy.com/listing/118304923/vintage-1950s-wind-up-musical-santa?utm_source=googleproduct&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=GPS&gclid=COP24PzZorQCFYZaMgodGSsAhw)
Mel
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...But not sure who I should take it to, to be fixed? Someone who works with dolls or possibly music boxes??
Mel
Maybe someone that works in clock repairs could help? Shouldn't be too difficult if there's a way to attach a new base to the "winder shaft".
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Great suggestion Rauville!!!!
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Thanks. I'll try that. I found someone that is local that repairs all kinds of antiques. I've emailed them. I only want to work with someone local because I will not ship it anywhere. I've seen what UPS and fedex does to shipments! ;)
Mel
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You might find an old one on ebay that is cheap enough,,you could replace the base !!
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Mizme, the question is,
.. which part is/was broken,
.. the end off the key (winder) or the threaded end of the winding shaft of the mechanism?
My guess is, the end off the key (winder base) was broken off flush with the base of the Santa Claus. And my reasons for said guess is,
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1. the base of the Santa Claus itself is probably Ό to ½ thick with a hole in the center and the mechanism affixed to the top of it.
2. the threaded end of the winding shaft of the mechanism would not have extended through the base it is affixed too
for reasons of the manufacturing process.
Thus, my 2nd guess is, the broken shaft in the hole of the base
should un-screw from the mechanism
.. and then a new winder with the same thread size made to replace it.
the force required to break off the winding shaft of the mechanism would surely have screwed up the mechanism.
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I've been looking on ebay for years and I have never found one exactly like mine :(. I'm sure they are out there though!
Mel
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Its not important that the Santa look like yours,,,just that its base is like yours !! Ask before buying one if the base screws off ?? I am sure they made several types of Santas with the same base and winding system !!