New Book – Paper Models That Move

A new edition of Walter Ruffler’s book.

The book contains 24 pages of theory and 14 construction kits. 8 of the construction kits are for individual mechanical principles, and 6 of the kits are to make paper automata. Great value, and a wonderful set for teaching aids.

£19.99

Last few days of Designing Kit Discount

Our Designing Automata Kit and the Deluxe Automata Kit both have a discount of £15 until 5th July.

A Carrion Crow with his eye on someone’s finger

A new piece from Paul Spooner (2011)

This beady eyed crow blinks as the turning handle alerts him to the presence of your hand, which he then follows as it turns… brilliant device. The accompanying noise makes it all the more menacing.

An edition of 4 only
Original Paul Spooner, signed, dated and numbered

Dimensions
150mm High x 70mm Wide x 110mm Deep

£660 (excl. VAT)

Sold out.

Orinoco’s Piranha

A great piece from Carlos Zapata from 2001, which was part of a small edition.

Turn the handle and the oarsman vigorously rows with his single oar boat, down the Orinoco river. The piranha fish leap out of the water ahead of the boat, which is laden with gaily painted fruit and fish.

Height 20 cm

One only

£295

Hand Clapper by Carlos Zapata

A beautiful piece from Carlos Zapata, 2005.
Turn the handle to give some well-deserved applause – a lovely congratulatory gift.
Made of carved and painted wood, metal handle.

Height 15 cm

One Only

£59.50

Sold

Movable Illustration is Back

We now have this book back in stock. Automata – Movable Illustration by Aquio Nishida. Imported from Japan, this is a delightful book from automata maker and director of the Contemporary Toy museum of Japan, Aquio Nishida. There are plenty of drawings and photographs. The text is in Japanese with only partial English translations. However it’s still of great interest to the automata enthusiast and contains many examples of Mr Nishida’s work along with his ideas, tips and plans for making automata.

Price: £34

The First Noble Truth by Arthur Ganson

This is a rare piece from Arthur Ganson.

The mechanism is elegant and surprising, the shape of the cam determining how frequently the little man is nudged on the head, the double peak causing the most insistent suffering.

According to the Buddhist way, The First Noble Truth is that life is suffering. To live, you must suffer. It is impossible to live without experiencing some kind of suffering. We have to endure physical suffering like sickness, injury, tiredness, old age and eventually death and we have to endure psychological suffering like loneliness, frustrations, fear, embarrassment, disappointment, anger, etc.

As Arthur says of this piece, â??the little guy justs sits there taking it..â??

W61cm x D19cm x H30cm

Artist’s Proof January 2011

£3,600 (excl. VAT)

Paul Spooners Valentines Editions

Paul Spooner has made 3 brand new limited edition automata ideal for valentines day.

Heart Machine by Martin Smith

Here’s another ideal piece for Valentine’s Day. An alarming little machine to demand the attention of the one you love. Turn the handle and heart sounds the alarm.

Size: 21cm /9″ high.

Materials: Powder coated steel base, brass heart and mechanism, silicone springs.

£133.33

Love is Blind by Keith Newstead

This lovely cut brass Cupid has a removable blindfold, and has strewn his arrows around hoping for the right target. The perfect Valentines gift .

Available to order now for delivery in January 2011.

Height 22cm

£99 (excl. VAT)