I remember vividly the presentation described by Nancy Fratti (it was
on video) at the MBSI meeting in Teaneck, New Jersey, some years ago.
Also there were other pieces of faux automata (in the flesh) including
the extraordinary Egyptian figure "Isis" built by or for Dr. Nixon in
San Francisco.

More recently I have been privileged to inspect these pieces,
including "Antonio Diavolo", in John Gaughan's home and workshop.
Antonio is surprisingly large and I suspect that part of the genius
of Robert-Houdin was to design the figure in this way.  Not only was
it made for stage performance, so the effect is heightened for the
audience's visibility, but the large scale makes the mechanics more
practical and stronger.

John told me that when he first inspected the shoebox of parts, as
first presented to him for evaluation and eventual restoration, he
discovered the signature "Robert-Houdin" engraved in the brass.
His first thought was, "I am not worthy."  He was and he is.

There are many close connections linking the fields of mechanical
music and magic.  As a collector in both areas I notice magic posters
and sometimes apparatus in the mechanical music displays of other
enthusiasts.

Michael Woolf
Managing Editor, "Magicana" Magazine
New Zealand