The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

maginter wrote:Nipper is hollow...... I think that the weight was from the massive wood create that was made to protect him during shipment..... They didn't have the caring handlers that we have today with carriers like UPS and FedEx....

Ahhhhh...back when they believed in proper crating.

Personally, the United Parcel Smashers have done well by me, but I’ve heard plenty of gripes about them.

After a bit more Googling of the Old King Cole Papier Mâché Company, apparently they also built Laffing Sal figures for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company.

Here are Wikipedia’s images of Laffing Sal:

From those pictures, they did very good work.

— MordEth

In Louisville where I grew up was an old amusement park called Fontaine Ferry Park (locally pronounced Fountain Ferry). There was a very old funhouse there called Hilarity Hall. At the entrance were two of those exact laughing figures! The park was demolished in the 1970's. Philadelphia Toboggan was a major distributor of carousels and amusement park rides back in the day.
John M

John, one of my layovers as a Navy brat was Virginia Beach. Laffin Sal was definitely at the Ocean View Amusement Park at the entrance to the altogether scary "Tunnel of Love". I'm sure she figured in a nightmare or two!

John,

Congrats on your acquisition!

Regards,
John

Thanks John! A 42" 'Nipper' . . . I sure hope he's housebroken!
John M

JohnM wrote:Thanks John! A 42" 'Nipper' . . . I sure hope he's housebroken!
John M

Hey John -

Do you think that I would have it on my Columbia 990 if it wasn't????

It probaby could use some exercise.... It is getting a little stiff..... OH! That was even bad for me.....

Mark