{"id":4326,"date":"2011-10-10T09:49:29","date_gmt":"2011-10-10T16:49:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/version5\/?page_id=4326"},"modified":"2015-08-03T10:26:51","modified_gmt":"2015-08-03T17:26:51","slug":"spike-jones-toy-sax","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/version5\/vintage-saxes\/sax-shaped-things\/plastic\/spike-jones-toy-sax\/","title":{"rendered":"Spike Jones Toy Sax"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was in September 2011, that I first saw this interesting, 7\u00bd”, toy saxophone collectible. The Spike Jones toy sax\u00a0is likely circa 1940s, and draws its name from the popular musician and band leader. Spike Jones and his City Slickers<\/a><\/em> were known for their performances of popular songs in satirical arrangements, “punctuated with gunshots, whistles, cowbells, and outlandish vocals”.\u00b9 I wonder if they used this type of toy in their performances to generate some of the unusual sounds?<\/p>\n

\"Sax-o-Fun,<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: putuptoys<\/span><\/p>\n

The seller of one of these toys on eBay, also had a copy of an advertisement for the toys. He noted\u00a0the following about the 2 items:<\/p>\n

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…<\/p><\/blockquote>\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n

\u00a0Source: Uncle Mikeys What Not Shop<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Sax-o-Fun,<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Source: Uncle Mikeys What Not Shop<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Sax-o-Fun,<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Source: putuptoys<\/span><\/p>\nngg_shortcode_1_placeholder\n

Source: putuptoys<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Sax-o-Fun,<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: bikeman158<\/span><\/p>\n

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.)<\/p>\n

\"Sax-o-Fun,<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: bikeman158<\/span><\/p>\nngg_shortcode_2_placeholder\n

\u00a0Source: bikeman158<\/span><\/p>\n

Apparently these Sax-O-Fun whistles came in a variety of colours including:<\/p>\n