Need help with Nipper bank.

[bruv]

My daughter got this for me for Christmas. She was told it was original, but only paid around $40. It looks pretty good to me, but I haven't seen enough of these or know enough about them to say. What do you guys think and did she get a good deal? It measures about 6" tall, 2 " wide, and 7 ½ long. Thanks for any help.

Dave

[phonogfp]

About 20 years ago, I was strolling through an antique mall in Virginia and found one of these - just like yours. At that point I had been collecting for about 30 years, and was aware that there are many, many fake Nippers out there. But this one had glass eyes (like yours). Its paint was worn and there was some rust in the right places (like yours). When I turned the bank upside down, particles of rust and dried-out bugs fell out. Despite my reservations, I decided that this could be an original, and since this was out-of-state for me, if I left it behind I would be unable to rectify my mistake. For many years I have followed the dictum, "When in doubt, BUY."

A couple of months later, I showed it to Joan Rolfs, who sympathetically gave me the straight story: an excellently aged fake. For the past 20 years it has been used as a doorstop.

However, your daughter did better than I did. I paid $80.

Education is cheaper than ignorance!

Still, you have a nice expression of love from your daughter, and you needn't tell her it's anything but a prize. Enjoy it!

George P.

[Phonofreak]

I bought one of these back in the late 90's. The price was cheap, only $25.00 at an antique store. I remember an article of In The Groove, and there was an article on Nippers, original and fake. I can't recall who wrote the article,but I was glad to have that knowledge. I'm sure the seller knew it was a fake, because there were two of them side by side in the shop. I enjoy mine. I think they are pretty neat.
Harvey Kravitz

[bruv]

If I had run across it, it would have fooled me for sure. I even took the side screw out and it was full of rust and grit inside. I know fakers can do a pretty good job with things, but this one sure looked the part. Thanks for the comments.
Dave

[Jerry B.]

DeeDee's folks gave me the same Nipper a few years ago. They were so pleased to give me a Christmas gift related to my hobby. I knew it was not authentic but it will always be one of my most treasured Nippers because of the love in which it was given. Jerry B.