Rare American Cast Iron Toy "Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe"

9" (23 cm.) A cast iron shoe with wheeled base holds a seated old woman with metal cast face, painted facial features, paper mache and metal body, holding a bounty of little bisque and china dolls. When pulled along, the lady is designed to bob up and down as though riding a rickety carriage. Condition: generally excellent, bobbing action willful. Comments: American, circa 1880, the toy is often attributed to Ives Blakeslee. Value Points: charming early toy with excellent original finish throughout.