Whistling Automatons. Below are some examples and price guides of whistling automatons including a French whistling boy called “Theo” and a German whistling man leaning on a lamp post.
A FRENCH AUTOMATON FIGURE OF A WHISTLING BOY, “THEO”
LATE 19TH/20TH CENTURY, LAMPES PORTATIVE ET ALLUME CIGARES
Sold for USD 6,875 at Christie’s in 2021
A Bavarian carved limewood automaton whistling man
Second-Quarter 20th Century
With carved “B” on base behind lamp post; Unmarked
Likely by Karl Griesbaum, the German chip carved and painted wood figure of a hobo leaning on a lamp post with an articulating head and whistling internal mechanism
18.5″ H x 5.5″ W x 4″ D
Sold for US$225 at John Moran Auctioneers, Inc. in 2022
A 20th century German clockwork “Whistler” automaton baseball player. Spring driven movement turns the head and whistles “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” when activated. Hand carved wooden construction with original painted finish. Some wear, functioning when cataloged. 14″ high.
Sold for US$2,000 at Schmidt’s Antiques Inc. in 2022
