This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/30/2023
[AUTOMATON]. Playing card soldier on ladder with paint brush. N.p., n.d. [ca. 1930s-40s].
Hand-built and hand-painted metal, wood, cloth and plastic automaton. Custom-built card soldier (2 of spades) with decorative back (back appears to be covered with wallpaper). Approximately 24 x 23 x 71”.
When plugged in, the ladder moves back and forth (in working condition). The usual wear, soiling due to age and use. This automaton appears to be based on a similar animatronic in the Disneyland dark ride attraction, Alice in Wonderland (1958), specifically, the “Painting the Roses Red” sequence. We have been told that this automaton was part of a department store window display (possibly Macy’s – New York).