Rare Life-Sized Automaton "Speaking Mechanical Man", c. 1928

Heinrich L. K?rner, Fürth, Bavaria, with plaster-composition head and hands, articulated lower lip and glass eyes with lashes, modeled hair, well-preserved original paint, shapely papier-m?ché body with embossed paper label: "Apparate Bau Heinr. L. K?rner, Fürth / Bay., Salzstr. 9", holding a Reisz M116 microphone on a pole in his left hand, a loudspeaker concealed in his torso, on walnut base with maker’s plaque, electric motor, slide resistor and four cams, figure 67 in. (170 cm), with base 76 in. (193 cm), split in left hand, otherwise fresh original cosmetic condition. With typewritten operating instructions (partially legible) and original pine transport crate. – Note: The style and quality of the modeling suggest that the figure may have been supplied by Jouets et Automates Fran?ais (J.A.F.), successor to Vichy-Triboulet, and customised by K?rner with his experience of radio technology. – J.A.F. advertised a series of "têtes animées" with mobile features for use with specially constructed mannequin bodies in a catalog from c. 1926. In the early 1930s, the company marketed a portable publicity device for sound reproduction on (magnetic) tape under the name Spirovox. An example of a life-sized speaking automaton produced for the Maison Boubot in Paris can be seen in the Museum Collection of David Iakobachvili (2234/ММП). – The automaton offered here was presumably intended for use in large shops and department stores. Words spoken into the microphone would be amplified via the loudspeaker in the figure’s chest but appear to be issuing from his lips, as he turns his head, glances from left to right and gestures to the customer with two movements of his right hand. A rare and remarkable automaton. – Provenance: Factory stock of Heinrich L. K?rner, manufacturer of shop window and advertising automata, Fürth, Bavaria. – Please note: This lot is offered for sale as an historical object in non-functioning condition and for display purposes only. The wiring and electrical components do not conform to current safety regulations and standards. The lot is not suitable for connection to a power supply without prior inspection and certification by a qualified electrician.

布雷克拍品等级是为了方便竞买人判断拍卖品的成色而设置的。布雷克等级用1到6级来标注外观和功能的成色，(从非常好到非常差)。 在目录图册里用括号里的2个数字来表示，前一个数字表示外观成色的级别，后一个数字表示功能成色的级别。如(3/2)表示外观成色是3(满意的)，功能成色2(好)。 成色 定义参照下列标准： 1 - 非常好 (未使用过，没有使用痕迹) 2 - 好 (新，极少的使用痕迹) 3 - 满意的 (普通的使用痕迹) 4 - 及格的 (明显的使用痕迹，某个非主要部件是后配的) 5 - 有缺陷的 (极明显的使用痕迹, 某个主要部件是后配的，功能上有缺陷，需要修理) 6 - 非常差 (严重破损, 缺少重要部件)