Standing upon a velvet covered platform is a dignified gentleman with paper mache head, holding a meerschaum cigarette holder in one hand and a monocle in the other. He has brown glass eyes, leather eyelids, hinged jaw, painted teeth, white fleecy hair and moustache, carton torso and legs and painted metal hands. He is wearing kidskin trousers that appear to be tucked into his tall boots, white shirt with bow tie, faux-diamond cuff-links, red double-breasted coat, black top hat, watch and fob. There is an internal rubber tubing system that runs from the side of the cigarette holder through his arm, chest and out his mouth. The key is marked G.V.
Movements: He stands in a proud and presumptuous manner, then turns to the right, nods and lifts the cigarette to his mouth. His mouth opens and he appears to inhale. Then he turns to the left, nods, looking through his monocle and exhales. The smoke travels through the rubber tubing, but provides a realistic impression that he is actually smoking. His eyes open and close throughout in a snobby manner.
Historical References: The smoking gentleman appeared in an early Vichy catalog with an indication that the model was Depose, and with a special notation that the intricate smoking mechanism precluded the possibility of musical mechanism. A very similar model was also offered by Roullet et Decamps, described as an English gentleman, and with music available. Circa 1885.