it brought back so many childhood memories,
of Brighton Pier, back in the mid 1950s, in the middle of the pier there was a penny arcade, with 15 or more of these machines,
when you put a penny in, the characters would spring into life,
one of the few that I can still remember today was set in a cemetery,
popping the penny in the slot, the grave stones would open up and skeletons sit up in the graves as well as a cat moving across the yard, for me at the time, I was only 5 or 6 years old, it was terrifying! so it was with sort of fond memories that I have posted this automaton,
although sold back in 2012,here is the description:
"St. Dennistoun Mortuary" Coin-Operated Automaton, attributed to Leonard Lee, c. 1900, the mahogany cabinet and glazed viewing area displays a Greek Revival mortuary building with double doors and grieving mourners out front, when a coin is inserted, doors open and the room is lighted revealing four morticians and four poor souls on embalming tables, the morticians move as if busily at work on their grisly task and mourners standing outside bob their heads as if sobbing in grief, ht. 30 1/2, wd. 24, dp. 17 1/4 in. Brass coin plate stamped J. Dennison Leeds NO. 80
it was estimated to go for $4,000-6,000 at Morbid Anatomy, there still are a couple on the pier, but I wonder what happened to the rest?
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