A Rare Late Victorian Novelty Mechanical Blinking ‘Goo Goo’ Pinback Badge c.1900

Sold

Contact Dealer To Purchase

Object Description

The very scarce pin back metal badge, with painted central green eye and surrounding skin, to a pull string which activated the eyelid to open and close revealing the words ‘Goo Goo’, to let a member of the opposite sex know you are an admirer, with stamped mark Pat Pending, the whole in working order and surviving from the latter part of Victorian period England.

Object History

Unknown.

Object Literature

The definition of ‘Goo Goo’ eyes is looking at someone with adoration or love, with suitors sometimes sending love letters with these badges affixed upon “because you made Goo-Goo eyes:!”; though there is very little information about these badges or who made them. We can only find one other having been sold which was American.

A humorous, rare and beautiful curio that would make a wonderfully original gift to the one who makes you ‘Goo Goo’.

Object Condition

The badge is in excellent working order which is pleasantly surprising, with the original pin in place protected with cork, with the whole having expected wear to the painted decoration. The pull string would be a later replacement.

Object Details

Dealer Opening Times

By appointment only.

Dealer Contact

Telephone
+44 (0)1767 640995
Mobile
+44 (0)7729 213013
Web
Email

Dealer Location

The Onion Barn
Shoe Cottage
15 High Street
Blunham
Bedfordshire
MK44 3NL

View Map