Musical Clown04:33

This is an American toy, that came out in the 1980s. Designed for small children, it is simple and robust, needs no batteries, and yet has a sophistication all of its own. The clown is holding a set of Pan Pipes, and when you push his head down, he plays a note. Presumably there is some kind of internal bellows arrangement. However – this is the bit we really like – when you turn the clown’s head (the bird sitting on top of his hat makes for an easy to grip handle) the Pan Pipes move left or right, allowing the clown to play different notes. There are 8 notes in all, and the toy allows for anything from a simple push down on the clown’s head giving a single note, so a rather more sophisticated rendering of a tune, once the child is a little older.