28". A tall and slender gentleman, posed in dandified manner, with paper mache head, brown glass eyes, leather eyelids, hinged jaw with two rows of teeth, strongly characterized features, long human hair, mohair moustache and beard, carton torso and legs, stands upon a velvet covered platform. he wears tan suede jacket with beaded decorations, matching fitted trousers, black leather tall boots with straps and buckles, black leather fitted gloves flaring widely at the wrists, silk shirt, silk tie, wide leather belt, pressed wool felt cowboy hat, carries wooden rifle with leather strap, and holds a cigarette holder between his thumb and one finger. The classic figural Vichy key and stop lever are at his side. The interior works are marked Vichy.
Movements: He opens and closes his eyelids as though anticipating the smoke he is about to take, turns his head from side to side, leans his head down, lifts the cigarette holder to his mouth, inhales. Then he lowers his arm and cigarette, tilts his head back in satisfaction, and exhales. The smoking system moves through an internal system of rubber tubing, but does appear as though he actually inhales and exhales.
Historical References: Described as Buffalo Bill, the automaton appeared in the Vichy catalog as #421, and was noted as being a deposed model. The description did not note music. Beginning in 1886 and throughout the 1890's, Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Show toured Europe to the special delight of Parisians where he was celebrated not only for his extraordinary gun-toting, horse-riding performances, but also for his vigorous personality. So exceptional was his celebrity, that this is the only automaton made by Vichy that depicted an actual named living person. Circa 1890.