04-25-201504-25-2015
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsMarlborough MA
April 25, 2015 10:00 AMCalender
267

"Mechanical Life Picture" Automaton of President Grover Cleveland

Sell one like this
$615$500
Auction: Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments - 2804MLocation: MarlboroughDate / Time: April 25, 2015 10:00AM

Description:

"Mechanical Life Picture" Automaton of President Grover Cleveland, J. Ottmann Lithographing Co., New York, c. 1900, colored lithographed cardboard scene of Cleveland and his wife fishing along a brook, both figures with animated heads, right arms, and fishing rods, a small African American boy pops out of the cluster of rocks in the bottom left corner, President Cleveland with swarming mosquitoes around him, and a herd of onlooking deer in the background, signed bottom right J. Ottmann N.Y., in a gilt-gesso frame, brass clockwork mechanism with weighted steel rods, sliding rear panel with original directions label, wd. 13 3/4, ht. 13 1/2, dp. 5 in.


Note: President Cleveland and his wife, Frances Clara Folsom, honeymooned in Deer Park, Maryland. Life magazine from August 1886 includes illustrations of the two fishing while on that trip. This lot may depict the pair's activity during that stay.
Estimate $1,000-1,500

lithograph and board has 5-in. shrinkage crack in top object right corner, small losses of color on Presidents head, losses to gilt frame, mechanism complete but needs cleaning and adjustment for mechanical steel rods to work properly.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords

Grover Cleveland, President, J. Ottmann Lithographing Co., weighted steel rods, Deer Park, Frances Clara Folsom, Note, Presidents head, mechanical steel rods