(Automaton Chess-Player) | Maelzel's mysterious mechanism

(Automaton Chess-Player)
Maelzel's Exhibition. London: L. Harrison, 1819

Broadside (280 x 228 mm). Letterpress text, numerous fonts, manuscript date; old folds, minor creasing along top, one or two marginal chips, primarily marginal spotting.

A game fit for an emperor.

"The Automaton Chess-Player will play the same game it played against the Emperor Napoleon during his last campaign in Austria, when Mr. M. had the honour of exhibiting his various contrivances at Schonbrunn, by his desire. The Chess-Player has withstood the first Players in Europe, and excited universal astonishment. Although the interior mechanism is exhibited to public scrutiny, no one has yet succeeded in discovering" (broadside text).

REFERENCE:
Exemplars, pp. 180-183

Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.

In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.