The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here’s a 36” paper mache project Nipper. I found him near Seattle, WA. Fellow phono nerd and friend, Randy Wick, picked him up and held him until I could retrieve him.

Nipper is a good project but one I’ll enjoy. One rear foot is mostly missing. One ear was torn off, it looks like he took a golf ball on his back as well as numerous other bumps and bruises.

He may be technically original but he’s has a rough life. Now he’ll get some good history.

Jerry B.

Jerry,
Have you researched the materials that were used to construct these paper mache' nippers? I wonder what they used to coat over the paper mache'

Have you researched the materials that were used to construct these paper mache' nippers? I wonder what they used to coat over the paper mache'

To be honest I really have not researched the finish material. I've seen enough damage to realize that some sort of plaster was used to cover manufacturing imperfections. My mother was artsy and I inherited a good size bag of similar material. It sands smooth and easily but also contains some fiber material which give it some strength. Please don't ask for the product name as it's easily sixty years old, perhaps older.

My mom made arms for my Siam Soo. She also made me large sock like packing blankets that go over the largest uprights. I used one yesterday to protect a walnut VV-XVI on its trip from the Seattle area back to Oregon. Both my folks were supportive in my hobby. When I was a young collector and short of cash, I would call my parents. It didn't matter who answered because I always asked to speak with my banker. That way they knew I was looking for a short term loan. I repaid my debt quickly and I was always rewarded with another loan if I needed one.

Jerry B.

Gesso is the first thing that comes to my mind for coating these Nippers.

Hello there, Pity I am so far away, I would have enjoyed helping you with your paper applique "Nipper" gramophone dog. I see artists "Gesso" has been suggested, might work, but old fashioned in a way. I expect plaster filler, bonded with PVA glue solution might be suitable-but you would need quite a bit thought. Yes, a wonderful item to have.

I was thinking Gesso as well as it was used as an underlayment on the Vernis Martin machines. Perhaps also it could be some other stronger than plaster gypsum product such as Hydrostone?

Hello there, Pity I am so far away, I would have enjoyed helping you with your paper applique "Nipper" gramophone dog.

Yes, I would have welcomed you to the project. Another perspective is always worth consideration.

Jerry

Never having done this, the following is just my 2¢...

If it were mine, I'd try and improve the appearance and retain the aged look.

Hopefully the discoloration on his back can be gently cleaned with touch-ups, rather than a total paint.

The hind leg does not need to be overworked, gluing down the separations and carefully filling the missing bits will do wonders.

Can you reach into the cavity to push the divot out? Take your time there. You may need to moisten the inner surface a bit. Or even remove some of the interior to help shape the outer surface better. You can re-support the inside afterwards as needed.

You can carve the missing paw from balsa wood. It looks symmetrical to the other.

Fill and reshape the ear.

A light touch with an airbrush should help with new to old color. Just coloring the new and a stipple blend to old. Adding matching age to the new as needed.

For professional approaches that you can adapt. Listen to this guy. (It's dry listening, but informatively presented)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvZe6Z ... bbdkiodPKQ

Whatever you do, I think that it will end up looking awesome. Good luck.

James.

A 3 foot tall nipper with the 5 foot tall Carmen Miranda. ¡Ay, caramba!
James.

Here’s Nipper in transition. Nipper had a floppy ear that was ready fall off. One rear foot was missing except for the top part. I glued this piece to some foam and then glued it to the piece of wood that protruded where the foot should have been. Once this dried I flipped Nipper over and filled the gaps with a light weight fibrous plaster material. When this dried I shaped with my Dremel. I was not after perfection because these dogs were not perfect from the Old King Cole factory.

Jerry B.