Souvenir alligator from Hot Springs Nat. Park - age?

Probably not the correct place to ask, but there is no "common collectibles" place.

Just want to know if it has any age to it.
There are a gazillion of them out there, but of course none just like this one (that I can find).

 

no earlier than 1921

 

LOL! I sort of knew that.

 

Well the US mint recently started issuing these revisionist history coins calling Hot Springs the first US National Park

 

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

When did the abbreviation for Arkansas change from "Ark." to "AR"?

Not that the wholesale "changing" of state abbreviation(s) would influence me if I were in charge of making those "souvenirs" but . . . .

 

It was 1963.
But like you, I bet they used ARK. for a long time after.

 

Alligator souvenir from Hot Springs!!!???? Now that surprises me for 'gators do not exist/live that far north!!! Okay, just found there is the Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo in Hot Springs. Geee, I hope they have other animals beside alligators to **pet.** According to the following article, a 'gator got loose from that farm and was found in Lake Hamilton over there back in 2011.

http://www.fox16.com/s/d/story/z315gG3oiU63Ibel2VgXoQ

According to Wikipe.... that alligator farm was founded in 1902. Welll, that doesn't help in dating this souvenir.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkansas_Alligator_Farm_and_Petting_Zoo

--- Susan

 

Still good info to have, Susan! Thanks!

 

You know, that Wikipe... link says:
"The farm was sold to Jack Bridges, Sr. and his wife in 1945, ... The Bridges added a gift shop,..."

I wonder if this was actually bought at the Park's gift shop or bought at the alligator gift shop?

>Well the US mint recently started issuing these revisionist history coins calling Hot Springs the first US National Park<

That's a hoot! According to a write-up on the park's website, the "park calls itself the 'oldest area in the national park system' because in 1832, 40 years before Yellowstone became the first national park, President Andrew Jackson set aside the hot springs as a special reservation." I bet the revisionists got a hold of this info and spun it into so-called history.

Messi, call-up Bill "Slick Willy" Clinton and ask him. Hot Springs was his old stompin' ground.

--- Susan

 

Ladybranch, that was a pretty good play on the words "Hot Springs."

 

>...good play on the words "Hot Springs."...<

What? Moi?

--- Susan

 

I think that's a very cool looking gator. Just from the style of it, I would guess pre-WWII.

 

So . . . you think I can say "1940s" and be fairly safe?

Bob, I love the ridges on it's head. Those are just so cool.

 

I don't think you'd be out of line saying '30s-'40s, but that's just a WAG on my part. Think about working 'Diecast Souvenir Building' into your title as those are the collectors this would most likely appeal to. Let me know if you list it (even though the chances of me bidding are about diddly squat to zip).

 

Thanks, Bob.
You know, one would think that there would be another out there, even if not from Hot Springs, but I'm not finding any.
I have tried every search word I can think of, and no gator like mine shows up.
Pooh!

 

I thought it might be, but for the life of me, I can't figure out just how it would fit - or how one would get them out.

 

I can't quite tell, but is the one at top right here sort of like yours?

(from http://www.worthpoint.com/worth-points/west-palm-beach-antiques-festival-upgrades)

 

Yes! Yes it is!
As is the second one down on the left!
The only thing different, is that they don't have the shield on them.