14 replies to this topic

[oakleaf]

Hello! I'm new and this is my first post.
I understand that I have one of the original high-tank commodes from one of the guest rooms of the old “Hotel Texas” before it was remodeled.
I was told that this particular type is referred to as an “elephant’s trunk” commode. However, I can’t find anything by that name on the internet. Can anyone go look at the photos and give me any more information?
Here are photos.
http://oakleaf.homes...com/toilet.html
Thank you,
Donna Jones
PS: Sorry this type is so small. I can't get it to format larger.

[John T Roberts]

The font for typing a reply or starting a thread is small. When posted, it displays larger.

I have seen these types of toilets before, but I am not real familiar with them. Thanks for posting and welcome to the forum.

[Dismuke]

I was told that this particular type is referred to as an “elephant’s trunk” commode. However, I can’t find anything by that name on the internet.  Can anyone go look at the photos and give me any more information?

I did a quick web search and all I could find was a photo of a similar one which the owners simply refer to as an "elephant toilet." See: http://www.magnolias...hant_toilet.jpg

This is only a guess - but perhaps the design was patented by a specific manufacturer. Does the toilet give any indication as to what company manufactured it? Look on the inside of the tank. That is where you will usually find it. While you are looking there, see if you can see a date stamped into the porcelin. If so, then that is the date of manufacture which was often included.

[oakleaf]

Wow, Dismuke, how did you find a pic of it that fast? I've been searching for weeks (with Google and Yahoo) without finding anything similar.

I am trying to determine its value because I'm going to have to part with it. (I obtained it originally to remodel my cottage bathroom, but finances dried up).

I wonder if the Radisson Hotel might be interested in it for their restoration efforts? I looked in the tank and it appears to have "American Standard" stamped into it, but haven't located a date. Really appreciate ya'll getting back to me!
Thx,
Donna

[JimmyR]

I was in Fort Worth this past weekend attending a convention at the convention center, and as always, stayed at the Radisson. The rennovation of the lobby is georgous! I just love it! If any of you get a chance to stop by to see I personally feel it is worth it.

[oakleaf]

Hello,

I am in the process of trying to figure out what it is worth. I don't care to get "top dollar" for it and hope someone who would appreciate it could get a good deal on it too.

I took another look inside the tank and it just has "Standard" stamped there. I suspect maybe that might mean "Standard Sanitary Mfg Co." which was formed in 1899 but didn't become "American Standard" until 1929.

I e-mailed David Worthington who owns Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast and has the only other elephant trunk toilet I know of. He said "it works better than any new toilet on the market today and is very rare here in America." His ET toilet is pictured on the link supplied to me by Dismuke:
http://www.magnolias...hant_toilet.jpg

I have the toilet, flush tube, and tank. There are at least a couple of places you can get the inside works, installation diagrams and anything else you might need. A good one is Bathroom Machineries at: http://www.deabath.com/index.html

I don't want to do E-bay. Can't imagion shipping this thing. It weighs a ton!

At any rate, it has been fascinating researching vintage plumbing fixtures and the preservation of historic buildings!

BYN,
Donna Jones

[Dismuke]

I am in the process of trying to figure out what it is worth. I don't care to get "top dollar" for it and hope someone who would appreciate it could get a good deal on it too.

Any old toilet that is in working or reparable condition - even if it is not all that old or unusual in design - is worth money these days as a result of the "politically correct" small tank models that are now mandated by law for all new toilets. Those things are awful - and half the time you end up defeating the purpose by having to flush twice and, in the process, wasting one of the most irreplaceable and precious resources in existence: the time that makes up your life. There was a reason why the older toilets had larger tanks. As a result, there is a huge market for second hand toilets that predate the mandate.

Your toilet, of course, has collector's value on top of the fact that it has the higher capacity tank.

As to how much it is worth - well, as with any other collectable, it is worth whatever you can get someone else to pay for it. People such as you and I are going to have a harder time getting a high price for a collectable than is a dealer who knows where to find and has the ability to attract customers.

One place you might approach if your efforts to sell are not successful is a shop on the south side called Old Home Supply. They sell antique plumbing fixtures, tubs, sinks and other items from old houses. Here is their address and phone number: 1801 College Ave Fort Worth 817-927-8004. Keep in mind, of course, that if they are interested they are most likely only going to offer you about half of what they will end up selling it for if even that much. As a rule, dealers can only sell an item for what it is "worth" - which means that they must pay much less in order to make a profit and survive. If Old Home Supply is not interested, you might get out the yellow pages and phone up a bunch of antique shops. Not all of them are going to be interested in an antique toilet - but I am sure you will eventually find one who might be.