The writing and drawing figure does not reappear on amusement programmes
in my collection until 1812, when it was featured by De Philipsthal, the
inventor of "Phantasmagoria." The nature of the inventions grouped
under this title can best be judged from the reproduction of a De
Philipsthal programme, dated 1803-04, and reproduced in the course of
this chapter. All evidence goes to prove, however, that De Philipsthal
did not control the writing and drawing figure exclusively, but that it
was the joint property of himself and his partner, Maillardet. One of
their joint programmes is also reproduced. Wherever De Philipsthal
appears as an independent entertainer, the writing and drawing figure is
missing from his billing. Later the writing and drawing automaton came
into the possession of a Mr. Louis, who, as it will be seen from the
billing, acted as assistant engineer to De Philipsthal and Maillardet.
Louis evidently controlled the wonderful little automaton in the years
1814-15.
The last De Philipsthal programme in my possession is dated Summer
Theatre, Hull, September 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th, 1828, when he
advertises only "rope dancers and mechanical peacock," and features
"special uniting fire and water" and "firework experiments." He must
have died between that date and April, 1829, for a programme dated at
the latter time announces a benefit at the Théâtre Wakefield for the
widow and children of De Philipsthal, "the late proprietor of the Royal
Mechanical and Optical Museum." This benefit programme contains no
allusion to the writing and drawing figure, which goes to prove that it
had not been his property, or it would have been handed down to his
estate.
In May, 1826, an automaton was exhibited at 161 Strand, a bill regarding
which is reproduced. This mechanical figure, however, should not be
confounded with the original and genuine writing and drawing figure. It
seems to have lacked legitimacy and, from what I can learn from
newspaper clippings, was worked like "Zoe," with a concealed
confederate, or, like the famous "Psycho" featured by Maskelyne, it was
worked by compressed air. This bill is interesting solely because I
believe that this fake automaton exhibited at 161 Strand was the first
figure of the sort foisted on the public after the Baron Von Kemplen
chess-player, which is described in Halle's work on magic, published in
1784.
[Illustration: Poster announcing a benefit for the widow and children of
de Philipsthal at Wakefield, in April, 1829, which proves that writing
and drawing figure formed no part of the estate left by the deceased
showman. From the Harry Houdini Collection.]
[Illustration: Handbill advertising the fake automatic artist, exhibited
also at 161 Strand, London, May 7th, 1826. From the Harry Houdini
Collection.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account