$9,430
Hand in the AirAttributed to Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, Paris, circa 1865. Fine and rare, glass-dialed, gilded bronze, eight-day going, striking hours and half-hours mystery clock. Notes Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin (1805 - 1871)was a scientist, inventor, horologist and the most famous magician of his day. His work with electricity and its applications to horology were significant, having invented various timepieces, including an alarm-lighter clock, as well as mystery clocks. Despite his horological achievements, however, Robert-Houdin is probably best remembered as the founder of modern conjuring.Robert-Houdin's father, a watchmaker, Prosper Robert, wanted his son to enter the legal profession. It soon became clear, however, that Jean Eugene's passion for horology outweighed his interest in law. His father had already retired and handed the business to Jean Eugene's cousin, Jean Martin Robert, for whom he went to work. An excellent worker, within three years his cousin had deemed him ready to work on his own. In 1830, he married Josephe Cecile Eglatine Houdin, the daughter of Jacques- Frncois Houdin, an eminent horologist and pupil of Breguet. After the marriage, Jean Eugene Robert changed his name to Robert- Houdin.Around 1837 he invented an alarm-lighter clock, which sounded the alarm and lit a candle at the same time. It became very popular and his business soon prospered. Throughout his life he was constantly inventing new mechanisms and devices, which won for him
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-03-19
