General Electric "Bandy the Bandmaster" Doll
Preservation & Restoration Resource
Hi! I'm "Bandy" and I was made by the Cameo Co. from 1929-1931 as a promotional display for the General Electric radio stores nationwide.
Most of the other Bandy Dolls I know have had a long and difficult live. We are 96 years old and some of the materials they used to make us have deteriorated. Our once bright and life like appearences have faded.
We need lots of attention now by professional restorers to clean us up and repair our finish crazing, replace our missing parts and restringing our arms.
The nice people at Catalin Store have taken a strong interest in reviving us so our current owners and future generations of antique radio collectors can enjoy us for years to come.
General Information
Rarity: Scarce
Reasons-
1.) Age- These dolls are now 96 years old. For years they were not stored properly.
2.) Low Production Runs- These dolls were not manufactured for sale to the general public. They were producted in short runs.
3.) Exposed to Heavy Use- The dolls were on constant public display and handled daily by the public.
4.) Discarded- Once this promotion ran its course, the radio store managers tossed them in the trash.
The GE "Bandy" Advertising Doll enjoyed a rebirth of desirability from the ~ 1980 through ~ 2010. There was a strong collector following during this 30 year period. They infrequently came up for sale and were easily sold in the $1,300 range.
From ~2010 forward, the 2 main reasons for the decline in desirability was the general poor quality condition of these dolls and the high asking prices. A review of Internet pictures of Bandy reveals the survivors are poorly restored, missing parts and/or suffer from heavy crazing.
Additionally, current day antique radio collectors have changing tastes and limited budgets causing them not to connect with this extraordinary antique radio advertizing piece.
Designer: Joseph Kallus, owner of the Cameo Doll Co. in Brooklyn, N.Y.,
Years Manufactured: ~1929–1932
Age: 96 Years Old
Manufacturer: Cameo Doll Co.
Units Produced: Not known (Short runs)
Function: Advertising piece for General Electric radio showrooms.
Materials:
- Arms and Legs- Painted Wood
- Face- Mixed Composite
- Body- 2-part painted wooden segments
- Hat with Decorative Plume- Painted wood
- Baton (2)- Painted wood, white shafts and red round tips (Optional)
- Sash or Belt- Fabric with buckle
Structure Style: Articulated Joints
Strung together with internal cords and springs
Doll can be displayed in different positions.
Height:
Height and Weight (To the top of the decorative wooden plume):
Standing- 19”
Sitting- 12.5”-13”
Weight: 1.47lbs.