Item number: LJD
This is Charlie Alm's original design Limberjack Dancing Doll. He's made
them this way since 1953! With many thousands sold all over the world,
this has become the defacto design for Limberjacks. While fun all by
itself, the limberjack is a great musical instrument and is often used
with various types of folk music, as a precussion instrument, and is also
found in many doll collections. Often used in old-time, Celtic, Irish and
various other folk forms of music. They are also popular with
storytellers, puppeteers, and (I almost forgot) KIDS!.
Some people like to leave their natural wood finish and others prefer to
paint, decorate, or even clothe them in tiny fabric clothes! Often they
have faces drawn, painted or carved on their heads. Limberjacks are known
by many other names, including: Limber Jill, dancing man, dancing Dan, jig
doll, and so on.
The Limberjack is ten and a half inches tall and is jointed at the
shoulders, hips and knees. The paddle board is 24 inches long and made of
Baltic birch. The stick is of domestic birch and is 18 inches in length.
The doll may be made of poplar (the Indiana state tree), walnut, cherry,
maple or any other wood we fancy. At this time we do not take special
requests for the material of the Limberjack.
When your Limberjack Dancing Doll arrives, there will be 3 parts in the
box: the paddle board, the stick, and the Limberjack. The stick is not
attached yet (for better shipping rate). Place the Limberjack face down on
a sturdy surface like a table or the floor. Position one end of the stick
over the hole in the Limberjack's back, and tap the top of the stick
gently with a hammer to drive it into the hole. It should go in about one
quarter of an inch. Your little guy is now ready to dance!
To make him dance, you sit on one end of the paddle board, hold the little
guy with one hand out near the farthest end of the board (click on the
B&W pic above to see how), and bounce the board with your other hand -- he
dances up a storm! To get
him to dance the very best, you will want to sit on a wooden chair or
stool (not upholstered). This way the bouncing of the paddle board is much
crisper, making for a lot better dancing by the Limberjack.
The Limberjack has been around for hundreds of years, originally coming to
our country from Europe. Often they are hand made, though they were also
mass-produced in the US as early as 1900. This little fellow can dance to
any kind of music, even whistling or singing. Take care of him and he will
be around to give you and generations to come many a bright little dance!
Only $9.95 USD
Out of Stock -- Please check back in a week! (Will have a
new batch made up by then.)
Click here for to
see what customers say about the limberjack.
Hooey Stick (also known as a "Gee Haw Whimmey Diddle")
Item number: HS
Baffle and amaze your family and friends with the mysterious "Hooey
Stick"! The toy's propeller changes directions as if by magic at your
command. This old time toy
is a real hoot and will have those you show it to scratching their heads for hours. The trick
of doing it is easy once you know the secret. Instruction sheet included with every one.
Only $1.50 USD
Whirley Gig
Item number: WG
A flying toy that you launch with a two-hand twist. Soars to amazing
heights! This
great folk toy demonstrates the principle of the windmill's rotor or
the airplane's propeller.
Place the stick between you hands. Push one hand toward you and the other
away and the whirlygig's rotor lifts is high into the air. Fun toy for
kids 8 to adult.
Only $1.50 USD
All original designs are Copyright 2010 Prairie Wind Toy
Co.
Prairie Wind Toy Company
P.O. Box 428 Brookston, IN 47923
