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Repair of Automaton Monkey by Michel Marcu
By Moe Goldy

Hello Joe,  I can give you some information about your automaton.
From the marking it was made by Michel Marcu, who lives in France and
has a museum in Lusigny-sur-Barse called "Musee des automates Marcu".
I believe he is no longer making automatons.

What you have is a monkey smoker made to resemble ones made by the
famous Parisian makers more than 100 years ago.  If you put a lit
cigarette in his holder, the tubes you describe will convey the smoke
to the bellows and then out to his mouth.  There should be other
actions-perhaps of his arms and his head.

I am an automaton collector and occasional repairer and restorer.
I have three smokers, but much earlier versions, and they all work
similarly.  If you'd like to discuss the subject further, you can
either e-mail me or call at 772-340-0652.

Hope this helps,

Moe Goldy



(Message sent Fri, 09 May 2003 14:00:16 -0400 , from time zone -0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Automaton, Marcu, Michel, Monkey, Repair