The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Curt A wrote:The real question, per Jerry Van: "Never saw one on a base like that. Rather than estimate what it's worth, may I ask what the owner wants for it?"
Also, does the seller know its provenance?

The Base is rather nifty IMO. Asking price is $1200.

AZ* wrote:I wonder if the Rolfs would know, since they wrote the book on Nipper collectibles. You might consider sending them a PM in case they haven't seen this post.

Member name = AudioAntique (no spaces)

tyvm

$1200 seems reasonable, IF it's real... It may be a rare and unusual Nipper, since it seems unfamiliar...

Curt A wrote:$1200 seems reasonable, IF it's real... It may be a rare and unusual Nipper, since it seems unfamiliar...

kinda hopin that lol...this person is rather well versed in collectibles tho. ive search a [crap] ton and cant find another with same base...and I dig that base ALOT!!

LShaped wrote:

Curt A wrote:$1200 seems reasonable, IF it's real... It may be a rare and unusual Nipper, since it seems unfamiliar...

kinda hopin that lol...this person is rather well versed in collectibles tho. ive search a [crap] ton and cant find another with same base...and I dig that base ALOT!!

And another thing... someone trying to fool someone with a fake wouldn't add a base like that to it, I'd think. It's actually quite intriguing.

gramophone-georg wrote:

LShaped wrote:

Curt A wrote:$1200 seems reasonable, IF it's real... It may be a rare and unusual Nipper, since it seems unfamiliar...

kinda hopin that lol...this person is rather well versed in collectibles tho. ive search a [crap] ton and cant find another with same base...and I dig that base ALOT!!

And another thing... someone trying to fool someone with a fake wouldn't add a base like that to it, I'd think. It's actually quite intriguing.

i LOVVVE this Nipper more than the 1000s of Nippers Ive seen without this base. I cant find another ANYWHERE!!!

The V between the paws is curious.....Could it be I of a set of V or more???? (I = 1 )

studebakerphonos wrote:The V between the paws is curious.....Could it be I of a set of V or more???? (I = 1 )

I know this is most likely amazingly hilarious...I only wish I got the joke lololol

studebakerphonos wrote:The V between the paws is curious.....Could it be I of a set of V or more???? (I = 1 )

Curious? "V" is for Victor... it's not a Roman Numeral 5...

My opinion... I looked at all the photos. The only Nipper that I've seen with pop rivets at the back of the head is the large plastic Nipper. This Nipper has pop rivets to hold the head to the body. A plastic Nipper that gets a great deal of UV light tends to develop tiny fracture lines over the entire area that is in the sun. Later Nippers like the last of the paper mache ones to the plastic ones look bulkier than the earlier Nippers. Take another look at the collar. It looks like it's too tight. This Nipper looks even bulkier than my big plastic Nipper. This Nipper does not have factory paint. The features, particularly the eyes, are poorly done. I believe this fairly modern Nipper was in poor condition due to UV light damage. I believe he was covered with a fairly thin layer of something to cover the damage. The result is an extra bulky Nipper. After this was done, he was repainted.

Is the base original? Has Nipper been attached to the base for a long time? It's quite possible that this post 1980s Nipper was on that base and used as a window display in a store but not in the 30s or 40s. I would explain UV damage if I am correct. But I am skeptical.

About two years ago there was a thread on our Forum that featured a rotating display. The top of the display featured "Victor Talking Machine" information. But the crank coming out of the slow motion spring wound display was not a Victor crank. Don't you suppose Victor would have provided a Victor spring motor in such a display if it was a genuine Victor endorsed display? Can someone find that thread so we could compare the two?

I would like to think this is a genuine Nipper display piece that has been this way since it was originally built. But I think it's an intentional attempt at a fantasy item. Once again... my opinion.

Jerry Blais