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Lot 97:
Description
A vintage lithographed tinplate educational toy titled Consul the Educated Monkey. This mechanical multiplication calculator features a central monkey figure wearing a red jacket and bow tie, positioned against a yellow field with a blue decorative border. The device operates on a pantograph mechanism; by sliding the monkey’s feet along a base scale numbered 1 to 12, the linked arms move to frame the mathematical product of the selected numbers within a window formed by the monkey’s hands. The front panel bears the printed title CONSUL THE EDUCATED MONKEY and the instruction SET FEET TO POINT AT TWO NUMBERS FINGERS WILL LOCATE THEIR PRODUCT. The reverse consists of a blue-painted recessed metal casing with an attached wire easel stand for display. This design is based on the original 1916 patent by William Robertson.
Condition report:
The item is in good vintage condition with characteristic signs of age and handling. There is visible surface scratching and minor paint loss across the lithographed front panel. Small patches of oxidation are present, notably along the edges of the tinplate and on the articulated red arms. The mechanism remains intact and appears functional.
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