Rare American Circus Clown Advertising Dexterity Puzzle – Universal Theaters Concession Co.
United States (imported mirror and rim from Germany), circa 1910–1915
Description A charming and highly unusual early American advertising dexterity puzzle issued as a souvenir by the Universal Theaters Concession Co. of Chicago, Illinois. The colourful chromolithographed scene depicts two joyful clowns in full costume performing in a circus ring: one in classic whiteface bending forward in laughter while the other, in striped sleeves and yellow trousers, gestures dramatically. The challenge is to roll the single small steel ball into the shallow central recess (originally under a now-missing decorative metal disc) and simultaneously lodge two additional balls into the side pockets. The bold circus theme and explicit American concessionaire branding make this one of the most attractive and desirable pre-World War I advertising pieces in the genre.
Markings Front: “GERMANY” in small red letters near lower rim Rim (embossed in tiny raised letters): “Germany” (indicating imported blank), “A Souvenir from the” and “Universal Theaters Concession Co. Chicago Ill.” Reverse: plain black-painted card backing with heavy wear and paint loss
Materials • Chromolithographed paper disc under flat glass • Three small steel balls (one originally under missing central metal spinner/disc) • Flat glass cover • German-imported nickel-plated brass rim with milled edge, over-stamped with American advertising • Black-painted thin card backing crimped beneath rim
Dimensions Diameter: 51 mm (2 inches) Thickness: approximately 7 mm
Condition Glass intact with moderate surface scratches and light internal dust; no cracks. Colours remain surprisingly strong and fresh for the period—bright clown costumes and warm circus-ring backdrop—with only minor even toning. All three original steel balls present and move freely; the decorative central metal spinner is unfortunately missing (a common loss on this series). Rim heavily patinated with expected plating wear, yet the embossed American advertising text remains fully legible. Reverse card exhibits significant paint flaking. A completely honest, untouched example with outstanding graphic appeal and rare documented provenance.
Historical Context & Significance During the first two decades of the 20th century, many American novelty and premium companies imported inexpensive German-made blank dexterity puzzles and had their own advertising embossed directly onto the metal rims. The Universal Theaters Concession Co. of Chicago supplied souvenirs and concessions to vaudeville houses, nickelodeons, and travelling circuses across the Midwest. Circus and clown-themed pieces bearing specific American concessionaire markings are exceedingly scarce—fewer than ten examples from this series are recorded—and represent a fascinating intersection of imported manufacture and domestic entertainment advertising.