Passed
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Description
19" (48 cm.) A paper-mache structure depicting an early stone fort with towers,wide stairs and a hinged door at the front,is arranged upon a wooden frame. Posed on the roof of the fort as though he has just climbed the stairs is a paper-mache French soldier in full regalia including original silk uniform with brass buttons,kidskin leggings,brown shoes,and bi-corn hat with French rosette medallion. He holds a tassel-trimmed silver bugle. Movements and Music. The soldier appears to sweep the horizon,turning his head from side-to-side,and then,as though needing to sound attention,he brings the bugle to his lips. In synchronized time,several bugle calls emanate from the Lioret wax phonograph cylinder and system hidden inside the fort. To complete the realism,when the soldier lowers his bugle,the bugle sounds end. The cams control not only the soldier's animations,but also the cylinder. The fort is constructed to allow the sound to escape via the open door,side window and open-top tree stump.Vichy,Paris,circa 1895. In conjunction with Henri Lioret who invented the phonograph system. It was Lioret's intention,according to his patent description,to incorporate his design into all sorts of toys and dolls. Accordingly he joined up with Vichy to create this rare piece. The alliance appears to have been short-lived; few examples were ever made. This example has an original brass plaque labeled "Le Soldat au Clarion,Automate du X1X siecle" and appears to be ex-collection Jacques Courtois,as photographed in the book Les Automates (ABC Collection).