£2000 DOLL'S HOUSE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 23 July 1929, Page 5

£2OOO DOLL'S HOUSE

BUILT. IN 22 YEARS CARPETS AND ELECTRICITY One of the most' remarkable doll's houses in the world—valued at £2,000 is "for sale with immediate 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 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 devised 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 sou. who was killed ill 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 electrically.

ELECTRICA L A PPA R ATUS A close survey of this marvellous toy occupies a couple,of hours. Every door. every cupboard and every drawer opens. Evci'v room has its electric light switch, and is healed by electric fires, each one of which is a perfect replica of those e::!i'!iiied in modern electricity showrooms. But the fines! work of all is in the lovelv Louis XIV. drawing room, where the 'furniture is gilded with 22-carat cold. The. tallies are inlaid with mother-of-pearl, the grand piano is 3;|in high, has the Full eight octaves, with white keys made from billiard halls unci black keys from an ebony stick. Two woo Dresden china ornaments are valued at .€IOO. Lovely paintings cover the walls, and the ceiling carries out the general scheme, with baby Cupids amid flec'-'V clouds.