$18,800
Carved and Painted Wooden "EVA" Possum Trot Doll, Calvin (1903-1972) and Ruby Black, Yermo, California, mid-20th century, the carved redwood figure, with arms and legs jointed at the shoulders and hips, dressed in a cotton dress and a corduroy jacket, painted aluminum name tag "EVA", including stand, overall ht. 28 1/2 in. Note: Calvin Black was born in Tennessee in 1903. He met his wife Ruby in Georgia and married her in 1933, and they lived most of their lives in the Mojave Desert, near Yermo, California, on land they purchased in 1953. They opened a rock shop and a miniature amusement park they called Possom Trot. One of the attractions was the "Bird Cage Theatre," which was a wind-driven fantasy doll show. Calvin handcrafted the figures from redwood. He carved about seventy mostly female dolls, based on celebrities and friends. They were each about 3 to 4 feet tall and were dressed by Ruby from old clothing they found at a nearby dump. The animated figures sang in voices recorded by Calvin and danced, entertaining visitors for many years. Calvin died in March of 1972, and Ruby in 1980.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2007-11-04
