The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This is a hard one to let go of! This is a c. 1910's nickel plated brass "Dog Bone" radiator cap with Nipper mascot. This exact cap was pictured in the Rolfs' wonderful book "Nipper Collectables" (Vol. 1) both inside and on the back cover. I got this from the estate of a long-time Nipper collector many years ago. The mascot is bolted to the cap from inside and the cap has female threads. I put a felt circle on the bottom since I used it as a display item but you could obviously remove that easily to use it on a car. The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, MI has one of these on display in their mascot collection. As far as I have been told, these would have been given to high-ranking Victor Talking Machine Co. employees to use on their cars in place of the stock cap. I'm not sure what car this would fit, but I do know it will not go on a Ford since their radiators have female threads and this cap does as well. I will ship this for free fully insured via USPS priority or I can bring it to Union. Asking $1200 or best (reasonable) offer.

Wow that is one hell of a nice accessory!

Beautiful! You are tempting me but I trying to show restraint in my spending. A rare and fun piece for sure.

THAT is just cool.

Does the rest of the car come with it?

gramophone-georg wrote:THAT is just cool.

Does the rest of the car come with it?

For an extra $100 I’ll throw in a 1917 Michigan license plate. Sorry, that’s the best I can do.

HisMastersVoice wrote:

gramophone-georg wrote:THAT is just cool.

Does the rest of the car come with it?

For an extra $100 I’ll throw in a 1917 Michigan license plate. Sorry, that’s the best I can do.

It is a really cool piece.

So I have one made by H. A. Reif Mfg. Co. Phila.

It is a cast lead or pot metal (very heavy).

Doesn't say Victor at the base like yours does.

Is this a repro? I've had it 42+ years.

Thanks for any info.

Bob

Bob,
Yours might have been on a Victor needle tin display piece, as there is one with Nipper on top. Actually, it is pictured behind the radiator cap in the Rolf's book as shown above...

Brandon,
Why sell it? He doesn't take up much space and he doesn't eat much either...

Curt A wrote:Brandon,
Why sell it? He doesn't take up much space and he doesn't eat much either...

Maybe he poops too much.