IVES CLOCKWORK HIPPODROME.

IVES CLOCKWORK HIPPODROME. A spectacular clockwork toy from the 19th century and pictured in the 1893 Ives Blakeslee jobber catalog. Perhaps of the handful of examples known to exist today, this is the finest all original example known. This toy has come fresh to the market from a Maine Estate and located just a short distance from James D. Julia Auctions. A most impressive toy due to the subject matter and the size. Probably one of the most finely paint decorated of American tin toys, the horses have an incredible amount of paint trappings about them and the chariot itself has two applied ormolu Roman-style figures on horseback. The lady driving the chariot is 8″ tall and is in remarkable, all original condition including her red cotton gown and felt hat. Typical of Ives, they used a stamped brass face mounted to a wooden molded dowel. We believe that this figure as well as the facial molding were only used on this particular toy. The tin chariot is enameled in blue with a yellow band and red pinstriping. Further decorations include a wreathed floral decal; front and center. When the toy is wound and proceeds forward, an ex-centric mechanism gives the effect of the horses running. Large, extremely fancy red cast iron wheels with smaller wheels at back to adjust for steering. Quite possibly the stringing of the horses is original to the toy. It’s improbable that a toy of this age and size is in such remarkable condition and one must assume that a child did not play with this toy nor did future generations of children play with this toy. There is speculation that this particular toy was inspired by visiting Barnum Bailey Circus which was close proximity to the Ives factory. At the circus, they had chariots or should I say hippodromes. A hippodrome (Greek: ??????????) was a Greek stadium for horse racing and chariot racing. The name is derived from the Greek words “hippos (?????; “horse”) and “dromos” (??????; “course”). The term is used in the French language and some others; hence, some present-day horse racing tracks are also called hippodromes, for example the Central Moscow Hippodrome. SIZE: 14″ l. CONDITION: Overall as discussed above, slight oxidation to one of the ormolu figures and some minor paint loss to black horse on his right front leg. It appears that something was resting against the toy on this side. However these minor losses are not offensive or distasteful. Tips of lances on ormolu figures are missing. 1-12531 (20,000-30,000)

Auction: Advertising, Toy & Doll - Fall 2012

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3074	$69,000.00	IVES CLOCKWORK HIPPODROME. A spectacular clockwork toy from the 19th century and pictured in the 1893 Ives Blakeslee jobber catalog. Perhaps of the handful of examples known to exist today, this is the finest all original example known. This toy has come fresh to the market from a Maine Estate and located just a short distance from James D. Julia Auctions. A most impressive toy due to the subject matter and the size. Probably one of the most finely paint decorated of American tin toys, the horses have an incredible amount of paint trappings about them and the chariot itself has two applied ormolu Roman-style figures on horseback. The lady driving the chariot is 8″ tall and is in remarkable, all original condition including her red cotton gown and felt hat. Typical of Ives, they used a stamped brass face mounted to a wooden molded dowel. We believe that this figure as well as the facial molding were only used on this particular toy. The tin chariot is enameled in blue with a yellow band and red pinstriping. Further decorations include a wreathed floral decal; front and center. When the toy is wound and proceeds forward, an ex-centric mechanism gives the effect of the horses running. Large, extremely fancy red cast iron wheels with smaller wheels at back to adjust for steering. Quite possibly the stringing of the horses is original to the toy. It’s improbable that a toy of this age and size is in such remarkable condition and one must assume that a child did not play with this toy nor did future generations of children play with this toy. There is speculation that this particular toy was inspired by visiting Barnum Bailey Circus which was close proximity to the Ives factory. At the circus, they had chariots or should I say hippodromes. A hippodrome (Greek: ??????????) was a Greek stadium for horse racing and chariot racing. The name is derived from the Greek words “hippos (?????; “horse”) and “dromos” (??????; “course”). The term is used in the French language and some others; hence, some present-day horse racing tracks are also called hippodromes, for example the Central Moscow Hippodrome. SIZE: 14″ l. CONDITION: Overall as discussed above, slight oxidation to one of the ormolu figures and some minor paint loss to black horse on his right front leg. It appears that something was resting against the toy on this side. However these minor losses are not offensive or distasteful. Tips of lances on ormolu figures are missing. 1-12531 (20,000-30,000) Auction: Advertising, Toy & Doll - Fall 2012 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}