Bonhams 1793 : A near-mint Crown Devon 'No.1 "Jerry"' musical chamber pot, September 1939, one of a handful in existence,

September 1939, one of a handful in existence,
Ser. No. 126417,
with captive key-wind single air Thorens musical movement playing God Save the King button-stop actuation mounted on circular wood boss, in base of the traditional chamber pot form, the rim and top of handle with orange and blue line decoration, large legend HAVE THIS ON "OLD NASTY" - ANOTHER VIOLATION OF "POLAND" flanked by adverse-orientated swastikas and crosses, with a caricature of Adolf Hitler's face in the domed base of the interior, No.1 "Jerry" with the imperial cross to one side - 8.5/8in. (22cm) diameter, the cylinder 1.3/4in. (4.5cm)

Sold for £4,750 inc. premium

Footnotes

One of the rarest 20th century musical boxes, these were produced in very small numbers by Crown Devon just after the invasion of Poland and following Chamberlain's radio broadcast in September 1939. The original cost was 11/6d. and were removed from sale before December following sentiments of bad taste.

It is common for surviving examples to have had Hitler's face and the swastikas scratched off, and as they were made in a great hurry, the thin glaze tended to crack in long strands across the surface.

This fine example is almost mint with just one glaze-only hairline seen to the left of his right ear. It has therefore been concluded that this was bought to keep rather than to be used.
The only other known example in this condition resides in a private collection in the UK.

Category: Collectibles / Mechanical Music

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