I have spent two days in the shop. What an amazing place. Everywhere I look, some treasure is hiding. Here are some photos of today's finds. This gem was hiding under a bunch of bubble wrap in a bag in a box under more wrapping material and other boxes under a bench. This is why [...]
The Automata Cabinet – Blog
Old & New
I was recently offered the post of finishing the work I began on the 1765 George Pyke clock at Temple Newsam House I mentioned in a previous blog entry. You can read about it here.Unfortunately this old path is not the future path. It was extremely difficult to set aside my feelings of attachment to [...]
Bird Box number “.7” : an Update
Well little Pan was sent off to Bonhams yesterday. Unfortunately, he still wasn't quite finished. Previous restoration work rendered the bellows ineffective when the mechanism is placed in the case. I raised the mechanism up a bit by adding little leather washers. Pressure from the lid on the mechanism now makes Pan run slow. I [...]
4è Partie. A French Horse Racing Game – A bit of History (Part II: Lottery Games) by Ségolène Girard
Restoration of a 19th c. lottery game by M.J & Cie. 4è Partie. A French Horse Racing Game – A bit of History (Part II: Lottery Games) by Ségolène Girard Seg is speaking ! Games of Chance through the centuries Author’s note : I try my best to make those articles a good reflect of [...]
3è Partie. A French Horse Racing Game – A bit of History (Part I: The toy industry) by Ségolène Girard
Restoration of a 19th c. lottery game by M.J & Cie. 3è Partie. A French Horse Racing Game - A bit of History (Part I: The toy industry) by Ségolène Girard Seg is speaking ! First toys, and development through the centuries Toys have always played a great role in the education of rich children [...]