AboutBruce W. Zubee Expertise I can answer any questions regarding antique carousel horses, menagerie figures and any type of carousel component. I can also answer questions regarding other antique wooden horses.
Experience Over thirty years experience in the restoration, sale and appraisal of antique carousel figures other carousel components and related items
Organizations National Carousel Assn.
Publications www.carousels.com, Carousel Times Magazine
Currently Editor/Publisher of Carousels.com and CarouselStores.com Consultant to the New England Carousel Museum
Expert: Bruce W. Zubee Date: 3/27/2008 Subject: Cast Menagerie Figures
Question Hi Bruce. I was hoping you could answer a question for me. About 10 years ago, I happened to learn from a friend of a friend of a friend of the remnants of an Indiana carousel that was being stored in a barn and the owner wanted it cleared out. I ended up traveling to Indiana and buying the lot for a VERY small price. There were about 7 wooden horses in various states of disrepair, about 20 painted black full length brass poles, and then there were approximately 14 cast menagerie figures. I sold off most of the figures to pay for the restoration of one of the wooden horses but still have 3 of the menagerie figures left. The horses on the carousel dated from the 1920s from what I was able to learn from various collectors. I'm curious though what in the world the menagerie figures were made out of. All the research I've read on the net say the cast figures were made of aluminum but all of our figures were extremely heavy. A rabbit that we have has a missing ear and it looks almost like the figure is part concrete or a mix of materials. I do know that these figures were actually on the carousel (which was taken down and put in storage in the 1970s... it had been located at a drive in movie theater that had a small amusement park connected to it). Also, I was wondering if you could give me any advice on how best to sell these remaining menagerie figures. I have 2 matching dogs and the rabbit with the broken ear. Would you recommend Ebay? Whereas I was able to ship the earlier ones I sold years ago, we are now in the process of moving overseas and I don't have the time to find someone to crate and ship these ones. Any suggestions?
Answer I would guess that the menagerie figures are made from Fiberglass. They would be hollow castings but they would still be fairly heavy. If you want to sell them, we offer a free service on the carousels.com website called the "Carousel Tag Sale". Learn more on the website at: www.carousels.com Look for the link to the "Carousel Tag Sale".
