ORIGINAL 19TH CEN GERMAN TIN TOY TOP W/ CLOWN FIGURES Start Price USD 3,399.99 Current Price USD 3,399.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, September 24, 2008 End Time Sunday, November 23, 2008 Location Pennsylvania See more about 'ORIGINAL 19TH CEN GERMAN TIN TOY TOP W/ CLOWN FIGURES' Description This is quite an amazing & extremely rare spinning toy top. I believe that this wonderful tin toy was made in Germany. But, there is some possibility that is is French. This top was made circa 1890's. The figures of the clowns are multi-colored hand painted tin. The circular top that they stand on has multi-colored panels of flashing.The example offered here has much more original paint & finish than any of the very, very few other examples that we have ever seen. Over the last 40 years we have only seen pictures of perhaps three others in collections & only one other offered for sale. The only other one that we ever saw for sale was nearly naked (paint wise) & had only around 5% finish. It was sold immediately when offered privately around ten or twelve years ago for $3,500. In my opinion, this one should be worth at least five times the value of that one based on the far, far better condition of this one. But, who knows? It is so rare it is hard to figure. We will let you be the judge.It is easy to imagine how rare this item is in nice paint condition like this one when we note the extra fragile nature of the thin clowns standing on top of a wildly spinning top. The only flaw which we have noticed on this example, other than only reasonable wear, is that the figures at the bottom of their feet were once detached from the ball. They have been expertly re-attached to the top of ball. Where the figures are re-attached, just close to their feet, there is a tiny bit of touchup to the top of the paint on the ball & the bottom of the feet of the clowns. Otherwise this amazing rarity is basically wonderful.We guarantee this item to be original as described & we offer a full & prompt refund if you are not satisfied & if the item is returned in the same condition within 3 days of receipt. If you have any additional questions please don't hesitate to ask.Buyer pays $30.00 for U.S. mail insured. PA residents add 6% sales tax or provide a valid resale number. Immediate shipment upon receipt of money order or cashier's check. Allow 10 days to clear prior to shipment on other checks. Shipping to other countries will be more & will be buyer's responsibility. Of course, multiple purchases at the same time will save on shipping as they can be combined. We adhere to all U.S. customs laws on foreign shipments. We do not over or underlist values on customs slips. Place a Bid!