(Automaton) | "The voice is ... human ... but nothing appears more inconceivable than the modes by which it is convey'd"

(Automaton)

A Speaking Figure. [London]: H. Reynell, [1784]

Letterpress playbill (311 x 195 mm). Text ruled in decorative border, hand-dated, holograph annotations to center, foot, and verso, hinged to mat; detached, old folds, light offsetting at foot.

"A mechanic ... has composed a Figure, about the size of a New-Born Infant, the most surprising and curious that was ever seen." The playbill features a contemporary "Account of the Speaking Figure shown in London" hand-written by an eyewitness to the event:

"The Question is conveyed to the Figure through a ... tube fixed in its mouth and the answer received by the same tube on the Person putting his ear to it. The voice is undoubtedly a human one but nothing appears more inconceivable than the modes by which it is convey'd through the tube as no ... communication is discernible with the Figure and that no body stands near it or even in the same Room but those who are questioning of it answered perfectly ...

"A similar Figure to this was afterwards shown & ... explained what appeared to be by Correspondency Tubes with Trumpet mouths one in the Figure the other placed as near it as it can be so as to be concealed from the spectator ... When the voice is received unto the Tube it may be conveyed by a considerable Distance & the Tube heard at any Angle."