Siam Sue - The First Phonograph Action Toy(?)

CDBPDX · Post by **CDBPDX** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:11 pm

Siam Sue was the first Talking Machine action toy, the predecessor to all the dancing toys that came later. Click the link below to watch it on YouTube. A local phonograph collector has generously permitted me to post this. Thanks!

There is a record SIAM SUE that accompanies this, couldn't find it for the video.

https://youtu.be/9CfppPoOkU0

phonogfp · Post by **phonogfp** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 3:52 pm

I'm pretty sure the National Toy Company dancing toys (Ragtime Rastus, Shimandy, The Boxers, Fighting Cocks, etc.) predated Siam Sue (first manufactured in 1921 by Morton E. Converse & Son). Here's an ad for Rastus in the February 1915 issue of The Talking Machine World:

National's "Uncle Sam and the Kaiser" obviously appeared during World War I. The "Phono-Movies" toy was advertised in May 1919. There were others as well.

Siam Soo was probably the most elaborate of the mass-produced talking machine dancing toys, but it wasn't the first.

George P.

CDBPDX · Post by **CDBPDX** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 4:10 pm

phonogfp wrote:I'm pretty sure the National Toy Company dancing toys (Ragtime Rastus, Shimandy, The Boxers, Fighting Cocks, etc.) predated Siam Sue (first manufactured in 1921 by Morton E. Converse & Son). Here's an ad for Rastus in the February 1915 issue of The Talking Machine World:

RastusFeb1915.jpg
National's "Uncle Sam and the Kaiser" obviously appeared during World War I. The "Phono-Movies" toy was advertised in May 1919. There were others as well.

Siam Soo was probably the most elaborate of the mass-produced talking machine dancing toys, but it wasn't the first.

George P.

I'm not going to tell the collector....

Post by **gramophone78** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 4:21 pm

CDBPDX wrote:
I'm not going to tell the collector....

Not sure why you wouldn't...after all, it not a secret..

. You may want to correct your thread title for accuracy so as to not confuse newer collectors..

.

Post by **melvind** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:51 pm

CDBPDX wrote:Siam Sue was the first Talking Machine action toy, the predecessor to all the dancing toys that came later. Click the link below to watch it on YouTube. A local phonograph collector has generously permitted me to post this. Thanks!

There is a record SIAM SUE that accompanies this, couldn't find it for the video.

https://youtu.be/9CfppPoOkU0

Here is the video and record I posted up about a year ago...

[youtubehd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwYR_bdIPEI[/youtubehd]

https://youtu.be/CwYR_bdIPEI

Post by **gramophone78** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:50 pm

Great video Dan.
Unless there was another Siam Soo made....here is the 1921 patent filing. The Happy Six recorded from 1919-1923 and made several recordings for Columbia.

AudioAntique · Post by **AudioAntique** » Thu Dec 13, 2018 11:12 am

This is a great thread and a great video of one of our favorite toys. Thanks for the posting Dan.

The doll's patent history is a little confusing. A label on the bottom of the figure's wood base has an Oct. 26, 1909 patent date issued to George L. Hall of Weatherford TX., suggesting that this was the date that Siam Soo was patented. However, this patent is for an arrangement of multiple dancing figures for a phonograph accessory toy that does not at all resemble Siam Soo. The rubber drive wheel may be the only part patentable relating to Siam Soo. To the best of our knowledge, this device was never manufactured. It wasn't until 1921 that the figure of Siam Soo was manufactured by Converse.

More in-depth information on Siam Soo can be found in our book titled "Phonograph Dolls and Toys". On pages 1-39 - 1-41 you will find that there are two versions of Siam Soo,each having slightly different dance moves and support legs, plus a listing of suggested songs to be played with the dancing doll. There is an early box that lists 27 records and the later box which lists 36 titles. It is interesting that the record titled Siam Soo by the Happy Six is not listed on either box.

Enjoy Siam Soo this Christmas. She is certainly one of the most animated phonograph toys and would make a great Christmas gift under the tree.

Rob

Post by **Raphael** » Thu Dec 13, 2018 3:03 pm

Indeed, Rob, it's a great, fun item. I have the one that I bought from you & Joan atop a phonograph in my TV room, and show it to all my guests. It always puts a smile on their face!

https://youtu.be/2J7bVJT4ckU

Raphael

phonogfp · Post by **phonogfp** » Thu Dec 13, 2018 7:58 pm

My wife claims that Siam Soo is her favorite thing in my collection!

George P.

Siam Sue - The First Phonograph Action Toy(?)

Siam Sue - The First Phonograph Action Toy(?)

Re: Siam Sue - The First Phonograph Action Toy

Re: Siam Sue - The First Phonograph Action Toy

Re: Siam Sue - The First Phonograph Action Toy

Re: Siam Sue - The First Phonograph Action Toy(?)

Re: Siam Sue - The First Phonograph Action Toy(?)

Re: Siam Sue - The First Phonograph Action Toy(?)

Re: Siam Sue - The First Phonograph Action Toy(?)

Re: Siam Sue - The First Phonograph Action Toy(?)