Georges Carette Toy Limousine, ca. 1910
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GUEST:
Well, my husband was a plumber, and sometimes when people couldn't pay him, they'd give him things. And he's just had this a long time.
APPRAISER:
So, somebody paid him by giving this to him?
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
Okay. This is a car that was made by a company called Georges Carette, a German company.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRIASER: And this was made around 1900, 1910, when automobiles were really very expensive.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
And so, the toys like this were for the kids whose parents could afford some real money for a toy. It's a limousine, and it's one of their better ones by Carette. It has wonderful details. And you'll notice all the way around, the glass is all beveled glass. It's all complete, which is pretty amazing to put beveled glass in a toy.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
It's completely outfitted with a driver. What's also amazing is, it has all the original side lamps and headlamps. These are often missing. All the doors open, which is really an amazing feature. And in this one, you get to see the passengers. There's two ladies in the back, and there's also a little boy here in the front. It's a clockwork, it's a wind- up. Unfortunately, the tires are a bit distressed. It's dirty-- it does need cleaning. But it's basically a very, very fine example. I would say, in this condition, I would put an auction estimate on it in the $5,000 to $6,000.
GUEST:
Wow.
APPRAISER:
It's a treasure.
Appraisal Details
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