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Collectibles--Toys/Elephant Bubble Bower

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Expert: - 12/27/2010


Question
I have been given a Dumbo (the elephant) antique bubble blowing machine from an old family friend.  I have had it for 10 years and expect that it is aroudn 70-80 years old. I have never been able to findo ne on line or for sale. It was purchased for her unborn child, who died at birth.  Later some young kids played with it, so it is used.
Any idea how much it might be worth, or who may collect them?

Answer

Jumbo the Elephant bub
Hi Luci -- I'm sorry I missed your question earlier. The only "Dumbo" the elephant I am aware of is a fairly recent bubble blower, however, I'm guessing you may be referring to an older plush elephant on a lithographed tin base from around the 1950s that was known as "Jumbo the Elephant." The elephants came in pink or gray plush and are not uncommon. You can see one at http://www.bubbleblowers.com/pages/106.html

These bubble blowers show up on ebay and in antique stores fairly frequently. You'll see on the above web page some of the prices they sold for in the early 2000s -- those prices have dropped to perhaps $15-$25 more recently for nonworking ones without a box. With the original box in good condition, the price goes up significantly. Working models are rare since the internal rubber tubes have almost invariably deteriorated and no air comes out, and frequently the blue bowl to hold the solution is missing.

Collectors of an item like the Jumbo the Elephant would include collectors of bubble blowers (a very limited group, possibly including only me and a few other people). A larger group of collectors are individuals who collect motion toys from the 50s that have lithographed tin, as seen in the base of this item.  

You can learn more current information on this item by watching ebay for those on sale there. Use the search string:    elephant +(bubbl* blow*)  

Marilyn

Expertise

I am a collector of bubble blowers and can direct others to where they might find a specific bubble blower, and also help them get more information about bubbles and bubble blowers. Feel free to ask any bubble related questions and if I don`t know the answer I`ll give you some other ideas to explore. Please note that I am a COLLECTOR of bubble blowers, not a seller, but I can often point you in the right direction for one you would like to find.

Experience


Experience in the area:
I have been collecting bubble blowers for many, many years, and have around 700 in my personal collection. I have built a "museum" of bubble blowers over the years online at www.BubbleBlowers.com.

Organizations belong to:
http://BubbleBlowers.com/

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