ROULLET-DECAMPS, France, Station box circa 1910 Automaton "La bicycliste coquette", Ref 366 in the catalogue *. It is presented here as a diorama in a version coupled with a very beautiful music box by Carl Alpsteg Teufenthal with coin-operated system. This automaton, known as the Boite de Gare, dates from the 1900s. Indeed, it was not uncommon (in France and Switzerland) to find these animated music boxes in station waiting rooms, which operated for a penny. But few of them have survived. Here we find this charming cyclist (or bicyclist, to use the vocabulary of the time of this rare automaton). This elegant woman, dressed in a beautiful satin suit, pedals to the sound of 8 possible tunes, triggered by a coin-operated mechanism on the front. The automaton - The movement of the two feet driving the pedals and the rear wheel, transmitted by chain from the mechanism underneath the cyclist. Movement of the head from left to right. Gaultier Frères biscuit head, closed mouth, fixed blue eyes. The power comes from the mechanism of the music box, which is wound up on its side using a mobile crank on the left side of the box. Carl Alpsteg Teufenthal - Music Box In the background, we can admire a set of 6 bells grouped in two groups of three, each struck by bees acting as hammers. The comb is in one piece, made of 27 cm steel, i.e. 80 blades. 1 cylinder, 30 cm long. Worth noting: Traces of rust mainly on the comb and remnants of polychromy on the bees (multicoloured alcohol varnish). On its original card (to be refixed) are announced the 8 tunes of which : La Marseillaise, Louisette (waltz), Carmen, Mireille sa brise est douce, La Marcotte,.... The box It has a coin mechanism with a slot in the front, which works with penny-type coins (see photo). The stamped tax plate of the Ministry of Finance is also fixed to the front, with the date 1910. It is made of wood with two half-columns on the front. It was subsequently covered with trompe-l'œil paper to imitate a more flattering wood. Minor restoration work to be carried out on the cabinetwork. Otherwise The whole works perfectly. Dimensions Bicyclist - W 27.5 cm H 33 cm Box - 67.5 x 78 x 52 cm Cardboard - 23 x 16 cm Sold as is. Expert: Stanislas Lemoine: Tél - 06-07-21-91-72