Coin-Operated Acrobat Automaton

Description:

Coin-Operated Acrobat Automaton, probably English by Bolland, the papier-mache figure with molded hair, painted eyes and upturned nose, theatrical costume with white gloves and red tailcoat of papier-mache and stiffened fabric, articulated at the waist, neck, legs and right arm, in upright Art Deco wood case painted two-tone red with white line decoration and glazed panel simulating stage with spotlight and spring box, the Klaxton electric motor driving levers via worm-gear and causing the acrobat to jump on the spring box, bend from the waist, turn his head and raise his right arm, recline in mid-air or perform somersaults, ht. 65 in., figure approx. 12 in., (motor disconnected, old overpainted finish flaking in places),the coin-slot stamped with U.S. patent date 1933.

Note: Bolland began producing coin-operated working models after the Second World War, recycling motors and Art-Deco styled crane cabinets (and sometimes other components as well) that he had purchased cheaply due to war shortages. Bolland's figures are often reminiscent of late 19th / early 20th Century "one off" pieces produced by British makers such as the Cannova Co. and Nelson Lee, yet with an alarming quality that was all his own. This model is unrecorded and the acrobat is larger than usual for an automaton of the period (usually the figures are less than half the size),and was probably adapted from another, earlier piece that was no longer in use - a standard operation amongst British manufacturers. The unusual jumping action is controlled by the internal back wall of the cabinet, which is spring-loaded to move up and down with the figure.
Estimate $4,000-6,000

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