It was in September 2011, that I first saw this interesting, 7½”, toy saxophone collectible. The Spike Jones toy sax is likely circa 1940s, and draws its name from the popular musician and band leader. Spike Jones and his City Slickers were known for their performances of popular songs in satirical arrangements, “punctuated with gunshots, whistles, cowbells, and outlandish vocals”.¹ I wonder if they used this type of toy in their performances to generate some of the unusual sounds?
Source: putuptoys
The seller of one of these toys on eBay, also had a copy of an advertisement for the toys. He noted the following about the 2 items:
I think this is made of Bakelite because there is a translucent swirling of colors if you look close… I’m no expert so it could be plastic but I doubt it. Measures 7.5 in long. Does not whistle when you blow because it needs a reed placed in it… The ad is a photocopy from a 1940’s magazine…
Source: Uncle Mikeys What Not Shop
Source: Uncle Mikeys What Not Shop
Although the eBay toys I’ve seen to date are not identical to the the photocopied ad version, it is clear that Spike Jones allowed his name to be used on toy saxophones of both the alto and tenor variety. What a lot of SAX-O-FUN.
Source: putuptoys
Source: putuptoys
Almost a year to the day that I saw the above Sax-O-Fun, one popped up on eBay that still had its original box.
Source: bikeman158
This little whistle is the only one that I have seen that appears to be complete. Not only does it have its box, but it also still has the rubber mouthpiece, as well as a reed disc, that slips into that slit in the neck (that until now hasn’t made any sense to me.)
Source: bikeman158
Source: bikeman158
Apparently these Sax-O-Fun whistles came in a variety of colours including:
- White with blue swirls
Source: almost-home-again
Source: almost-home-again
Source: MANDORAS BOXX on eBay.com Sold for $42.00 US
- Fuchsia
Source: gardenia*lady
Source: gardenia*lady
- Salmon
Source: Casa Gargantua
- Red
Source: jackofalltades
Source: jackofalltades
- Plum
Source: noahsarkpastor on eBay.com
Source: noahsarkpastor on eBay.com
- And another shade of red. This Sax-O-Fun came with a Sax Zoo tenor-style in the identical colour.
Source: Siamese Art on eBay.com
Note that the Sax Zoo has the same tenor sax shape, and has the same kazoo-like front, as the toy instrument in the Sax-O-Fun ad pictured above. At this point I am assuming that this Sax Zoo is actually also one of the Sax-O-Fun series of toy musical instruments/noise makers, and therefore it is not a coincidence that these two instruments are the identical colour.
To see more photos of the Sax Zoo, check out the its page under the Plastic category of Sax Shaped “Things”.
Source: Siamese Art on eBay.com
Source: Siamese Art on eBay.com
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¹ Source: Wikipedia page on Spike Jones.
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