"HOBO JIM" Character
Rare 9" Whistling Jim Doll
by Gebruder Heubach - c.1912
Original Antique Doll - Made in Germany
Here we have Hobo Jim, a little man I ran into Alaska-way.
Made by Gebruder Heubach c.1912, this 9" bisque-head Whistling Jim #8774 is factory-original. He has the original cloth body with a squeaker inside that still whistles clearly. He has composition forearms with cloth upper arms, and he is jointed at the head, arms, and legs.
The outfit is also original; shoes and socks may be replacements. This doll is in amazing condition, from a non-smoking environment, and he still whistles! Of course, he comes with all the added "Hobo Jim" get-up as well: guitar, stick-and-pack, hat, bandana, and hand-felted doggie! (Doll stand not included.)
Actually, Hobo Jim Is a Real Person ...
He carries a tune and always has his guitar on hand to sing about the great frontier days. He travels around a good bit and never stays in one place for too long. He is well known in Alaska.
Born in Indiana, Hobo Jim -- whose last name is Varsos -- grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and was so influenced by the music of Woody Guthrie that he started playing guitar at age 12.
Jim: "Take 'Maple Syrup on Flapjacks.' I write about red suspenders, falling trees, oil lamps in the cabin, and the breakfast – the romantic images of logging that stick out in your mind. What’s not mentioned is low pay, little social time, mosquitoes, and frost-bitten feet."
Hobo Jim sings and writes about fishermen, ranchers, loggers, miners, and many other hearty individualists who live in what is America’s last frontier. His songs are not only interesting, but they also contain a historic significance that is not found in the bulk of commercial music.
PLEASE SUPERSIZE ALL PHOTOS, AND ASK ALL QUESTIONS BEFORE BIDDING/BUYING. I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER.
[ ALL ABOUT SHIPPING... ]
DON'T OVERPAY FOR SHIPPING: U.S. purchasers, you can choose from various shipping options in this listing. Shipping costs vary dramatically depending on your Zip code, so choose the one that best suits your needs. I never inflate shipping to make hidden profits. If you believe the shipping is too high, please message me with your Zip code, and I'll be glad to double-check it for you!
SHIPPING UPGRADES: At our discretion, we may upgrade your shipping to a different service at no additional charge to you ... provided it's rated the same (or faster) than the service you chose. If you do not wish to have your shipping choice upgraded, please message me as soon as you complete your purchase.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:
By default, international shipment is through eBay's Global Shipping
Program, which means the shipping rate (cost) is determined by eBay -- outside my
control. BUT ... If you live in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, or U.K., message me to see whether there may be a cheaper alternative using Priority Post -- depending on the size and value of your parcel.
COMBINED SHIPPING: I will gladly combine shipping if you contact me and request a combined invoice before paying ... and provided the items can travel safely in the same box.
WHAT, NOTHING TO COMBINE!? Click here to visit my eBay store: "Saddle Mountain Treasures" (opens in a separate window/tab) ... where you'll find more top-quality antiques/collectibles/artwork/dolls/and more!- Significantly not as described: A major flaw or discrepancy vs. what was stated in the listing.
[ RETURN POLICY ON DOLL LOTS... ]
It is with deep regret that -- after 14 years selling on eBay, and with 100% positive feedback -- I've had to change my return policy on dolls to "NO RETURNS, AND NO PARTIAL REFUNDS."
As often happens, it's the few bad apples out there who ruin it for the rest of us. These dishonest people will buy a doll, then try to improve or restore it ... not knowing what they're doing. And then, when they realize they've ruined the doll, they return it saying it was defective. Or else they keep the doll and demand a "partial refund" based on the alleged defect -- which is another trending scam on eBay.
I sell these dolls for a living so, my sincere apologies to you -- the honest majority of eBay buyers -- that I can no longer afford to accept doll returns. (Of course, shipping loss or damage is a different matter; that is fully covered by insurance.)
BUT HAVING SAID ALL THAT ...
I do bend over backwards, attempting to disclose any noteworthy condition issues I can find or think of. But these are antique and vintage dolls -- so, please understand that they won't be in brand-new condition. There will always be some minor indication of their age, and it would be impossible to itemize every single pinhead-size stain on the outfit, or hairline scratch on the body. Please expect these types of conditions with old dolls.