£2,000 DOLL'S HOUSE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 714, 13 July 1929, Page 10

£2,000 DOLL'S HOUSE

BUILT IN 22 YEARS CARPETS AND ELECTRICITY ; One of the most remarkable doll's j houses in the world—valued at j £2,ooo—is “for sale with immediate j possession.” This wonderful model, which has taken nearly 22 years of ; a man’s life to build and furnish, is languishing in an obscure workshop in the village of Drighlington, Yorks, England, for want of a purchaser. In January. 1908, Mr. Thomas Batty, of North View, Drighlington, a retired painter and decorator, who is now 75 years of age, began the construction of this doll's house, and ever since he has worked and wrought and planned to build the model, every detail of which is a perfect example of the craftsman’s art. It is built throughout on the scale of 1= inches to a foot. Though it has only four rooms and a hall, Mr. Batty’s villa is comparable in beauty of workmanship with the Queen's doll's house to. which, by the way, he was a contributor. There is this difference—the Queen’s house is the collected work of hundreds of skilled craftsmen, Mr. Batty’s House has been dei vised and fashioned by himself. Carpet Worth £SO | He has, in turn, been carpenter, plumber, electrician, upholsterer, artist stonemason and carpet maker. The four carpets alone took two years to make, working eight hours a day. Three of them are rich pile, two of mercerised cotton, and the other of silk. When completed the pile was shaved to even thickness with Mr. Batty’s safety razor. Some of the carpets were made three times over before he was satisfied with his work, but their exquisite design and beautiful harmony of colour are a tribute to his patience and skill. One of the carpets alone has been valued by a West Riding carpet manufacturer at £SO. The doll’s house is full of surprises. The key to it is a golden sovereign given to Mr. Batty by his son, who was killed in the war. Slipped through the letter-box it rings the front door bell and releases a spring which causes the door to fly open. At the same moment the house lights up electricallje Electrical Apparatus A close survey of this marvellous toy occupies a couple of hours. Every door, every cupboard and every drawer opens. Every room has its electric light switch, and is heated by electric fires, each one of which is a perfect replica of those exhibited in modern electricity showrooms. But the finest work of all is in the lovely Louis XIV. drawing room, where the furniture i 3 gilded with 22carat gold. The tables are inlaid with mother-of-pearl, the grand piano is S'Jin. high, has the full eight octaves, with white keys made from billiard balls and black keys from an ebony stick. Two wee Dresden china oi’naments are valued at £IOO. Lovely paintings cover the walls, and the ceiling carries out the general scheme, with baby Cupids amid fleecy clouds.'