1916 Clown Catalogue
 

Just got a reproduction from DGJ of the Parker 1916 Clown Catalogue. I chose it for the money they owned me. It's well done but on the small size, maybe that was the size of the original.

That is the size of the original. The one you received is accurate to the original in nearly every way, with the exception of specific features that identify it as a reproduction.





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Original "Clowns" are like the Maltese Falcon - chased over states and continents, always agonized as to whether they or real or not. In 55 years of chasing Parker memorabilia, I have actually only held 3 genuine ones in my hands. Twenty-plus years ago, a major paper collector from NH offered one at the Old Baltimore Show for $2000. Aghast at the price, I asked him if they really brought that kind of money. He said, "Check back with me in a half an hour and we'll see." I went back to my table 4 minutes before the show opened to the public at 9 AM. When I checked back with him 20 minutes later, it was gone. 'Send in the Clowns"!. I need to get a repro from DGJ on my subsription balance; it's the only Parker Repro catalog I don't have.

I wonder what DGJ did to identify their Clown reproduction as a reproduction. It is a great repro catalog.

The four Clown Catalogs I've seen sell on ebay went for $900, $1232, $1509 and $1601. I don't think I've seen one sell in the last decade.

Here is what they did on the inside back cover.

I don't think we will see another one sell for $1601 or less again. I suspect $3000 will be the lowball figure for the next one.

Clown Catalog
 

Good Morning,

I thought I would throw this info out to the club. Back in the late '60s I bought a clown catalog from John Hintlin(spelling?) and in the early 70's another at the last Toledo show. THEY HAD SLIGHT DIFFERENCES IN THEIR VERBIAGE, so there were/are TWO versions. I had to sell one to help fund my son's college education, but still have the other. The catalog I kept may be different from Mr. Cote's?? I think the one I sold is still with the buyer and I am going to reach out and see if he can forward me some photos of his pages, so I can post the differences here for you guys before I croak.

The leaves are turning, got supply of drugs, and getting spinal block in a few weeks so I can hobble after my Labs that point. Both are Grand Masters and were a given to me by the trainer/trailer when they were just under 8yrs old. One will be 11 next month and still goes for a few hours, the other, just 8, is a barn burner that holds birds from incredible distances. Sadly, they are the best dogs Mom and I have had in over 55yrs, and they came when I can barely do them justice, so the trainer is taking the barn burner out to the opener in S. Dakota. If someone can post or send me photos of their pages, or text me at 201-919-8283, I will dig mine out and do the same.

Enough BS for now. Tom and Carol (Mom) Kidd

Clown Catalog
 

Ahhhhh, the plot thickens. Apparently, I bought this one from Bill Jaqua at Columbus show for a fortune(sic), so much for 82yr old memories. But, the first one did come from John Hintlin. I will see if I can figure out how to post photos here, as I just shot my remaining catalog. From the binder notation, apparently the one I sold was a 1915 printing, and this one has a glued 1916 price list. Which should be the one Mr. Cote reproduced. I will reach out for photos of the one I sold and keep you posted. Tom

The repro has no price stamp on inside front cover ,no price list and nothing on back cover

I hate to overpay for gun paper, but I will pay you the $40.00 for your Clown. Mr. Noreen should add your $30.00 purchase price from Bill Jaqua to his list of Clown purchase prices.

There must be three versions of the Clown Catalog because mine has a glued in price list dated November 18, 1916, A-1 Special priced at $500.00. Can we see a picture of the price page in the repro Clown?

A1 Special price with and without ejectors. Wonder how many made without ejectors? From repro catalog .

Item #47 in TPS lists A-1 Special at $375. Item #50 in TPS lists A-1 Special at $400. Mine lists the A-1 Special at $500 and is not mentioned in TPS. It is not clear how many versions of the Clown there are, but we know of three.

Clown Catalog
 

Wow, now I need someone to photograph their Cote copy, because my old corrupted memory seems to remember one of mine had a clear rear cover.(one I sold) Just shoot like these/this and text to 201-919-8283. From what I have posted you can/will if there are any differences?? Again, Thank You for your help, Tom

Here they are

Kevin, I bought that catalog at the Baltimore Gun Show. As I recall, I paid him $1750.
I thought that it was a lot at the time, but I have no regrets.....I have not seen another one.

Besides the cover, is there anything distinctive about the clown catalog as compared to others of the same era?

Not that I can see. My friend Terry Smith and I scoured the shows and other sources for Parker paper from the seventies and up. Neither one of us will sell to the other although we are good friends. We are hoarders.

That is what I thought

Here is a chance to see what the current market is --

https://www.ebay.com/itm/39427118228...A&LH_Auction=1

Thanks for the link.

Gentlemen start your engines

I just looked at my Clown catalog. It is a 1913 catalog.

The market says $1425.

This reminds me why I don’t give appraisals. One reason among many . . .

Looks like the Parker paper market is going into the toilet. I could have sworn this catalog would go over two grand. Maybe the minor condition issues kept it "reasonable". I'm thinking about weighing mine so I can price it by the pound.:)

I`d say it was a fair deal for both seller and buyer...

RD

I agree. Good deal on both ends.

A lot of gun companies catalogs and brochures have went down. I was lucky and sold a bunch of Winchester paper to one man about 3 years ago and got a great price but it seems that the paper has went down ever since and I doubt that I could get half as much today. I still have 2 Winchester model 21 catalogs and a Remington hand thrower with original brochure that I hope to at least break even on.

When it comes down to the things we collect... Buy what you like, Like what you buy...

Trap3

Yes! Sometimes it seems folks value “the deal” more than the prize.

Mills, I assume you mean is there any new gun feature, etc. mentioned in the catalog. I don't think so, but the catalog itself is much smaller than its immediate predecessors. I assume it was created to be mailed in a regular envelop, maybe some slight shift in sales strategy. The size changes of the catalogs over time is an interesting feature.

I meant whether it was the same catalog as other more common ones but with a different cover.

That is interesting about it being the first small size catalog