Shop Window Automata

[Rick O Shea]

Right Chaps and Chapesses

I have got a bit of a question for you. I have recently bought the main bits of an automata the sort of thing that you will see in Timpsons shoe repairs hammering away  in the shop window, If you don't live  in the UK you will I suspect not have a clue what I am talking about.....sorry about that. I would imagine that shop window automata are not restricted to shops in the UK I would be interesting in other examples.

I would like to slightly alter the mechansism and I have been told that there is a one man band possibly in Wales who makes these things. I have tried asking Timpsons but got no reply.
Any one any idea  who he or she might be?

My day job is as a clockmaker so I am quite happy with mechanisms but I would like to know a little more about the history of the Automata that I have in the workshop looking at me...........

best wishes
Mike

[John Stevenson]

Mike,
Can't help you directly but our local scrap man has a load of these, all working and he also modifies them.

He takes them to steam rallies as he has a fairground organ and has these displayed around the organ.

[joshagrady]

There are a number of books available on the subject from Amazon (and doubtless via more traditional booksellers as well).  Although I haven't read any of them, Automata and Mechanical Toys, Cabaret Mechanical Movement, and Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood seem to be the seminal works.  Hope that helps.

[Rick O Shea]

Thanks for those, Happens I have got most of the books, I would like a contact of the bloke that makes them.

still looking, but very very happy

Mike

   

[John Stevenson]

I'll ask him if he knows who it is next time I see him, he usually pops in about once a fortnight.

John S.

[PTsideshow]

If you go to the book shelf forum,I have those and related book reviews posted.
Here are some sites all have links to most of the others sites on the net. The first two are in the UK
http://www.cabaret.co.uk/ Here is a local to you link you will find of interest.
http://www.automatomania.com/ along with this one
http://kevinwright2.tripod.com/ or this one
http://mmd.foxtail.com/ this is daily news letter that covers mech music band organs and music boxes with a small group of automata singing birds etc. There are people that read it world wide you could try asking there.