Indian Fakir Working Model

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tim575
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Re: Working Model

Post by tim575 »

Hello, I am new to this forum. I acquired an "Indian Fakir" at auction and from the photos appears to be the same unit. Material of the figures inside and construction is unlike Bolland machines, I have a Bolland Miser in my collection. I believe this "Indian Fakir" was made by the Samson Novelty Co. (founded by Holloway), as there were a couple small labels for light compartment doors with their stock sticker. I found reference that Samson Novelty absorbed International MutoScope Co assets in 1937 and this appears to be a conversion of an International MutoScope electric traveling crane. I can only find reference to Samson Novelty getting into working models by the 50's but no mention of what models they produced or refurbished. It does do the Indian rope trick using the Peppers Ghost Illusion method (45 degree glass and hidden compartment with switched light source), I have manually cranked it through the sequence but I don't dare apply power to it until I get the wiring on the motor restored. I am still looking for any further reference to Samson Novelty working models.
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badpenny
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Re: Working Model

Post by badpenny »

Hi tim575 welcome to the forum, we seem to have had a lot of new members recently and it's great to welcome another.

Models working or not aren't my area, however we have some experts who aren't on duty at the moment, I'm sure one will be along soon.

Also I'm sure one of the first comments will be PHOTOS PLEASE.

BP
pennymachines
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Re: Working Model

Post by pennymachines »

Even better - VIDEOS PLEASE - once you've fixed the motor.

Welcome to the Forum. Sorry I can't throw any light on the Fakir. As I'm sure you know, Samson Novelty Company were chiefly distributors of other manufacturers' product so their badge appears on many machines of diverse origin. Something more definitive is needed really, but I take your point about the Mutoscope connection.
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coppinpr
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Re: Indian Fakir Working Model

Post by coppinpr »

Always reminds me of one of the best lines from a Carry On film. In carry on Up the Khyber, Sid James says when he's seen enough of the Fakir performance "Fakir off" to which Cardue Robinson (the fakir) replies, "OK, OK, no need to be rude."

Second only to the line in Cleo when the priest (Jon Pertwee) incants "Isis great Isis" to which the Briton (Ken Connor) replies " thereee lovely."

Not relevant, but as I said, it reminded me. !!THUMBSX2!!
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gameswat
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Re: Indian Fakir Working Model

Post by gameswat »

I have a feeling your Fakir is probably the same one that belonged to the late John Gresham. I've just looked but can't seem to find any photos as I thought I had at least one with it in the background amongst his enormous collection? I remember it being untouched and awfully dirty. I did check that one out and it used the Peppers Ghost illusion.
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tim575
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Re: Indian Fakir Working Model

Post by tim575 »

After several years of storage, I had some time to work on this machine last week. Pulled out the model, repaired it and the cabinet, new glass, motor rebuild, complete rewire, and added step up transformer to run off 120VAC in the US. It is now in working condition. Remaining is to fabricate replacements for missing side doors and restore the top marquees.

Video of operation:

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Rewireda.jpg
Motor-aftera.jpg
Motor-reworka.jpg
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moonriver
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Re: Indian Fakir Working Model

Post by moonriver »

Lovely, just my kind of thing, interesting theme, likely unique model. Far more complex mechanism than first expected from the outside, my only criticism is it's a shame it wasn't of the same calibre as Canova or Lee inside the scene as the Fakir theme really lent itself to something like an ornate Indian temple, and that would have made it pop.
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tim575
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Re: Indian Fakir Working Model

Post by tim575 »

Restored the top side Marquees and created a front Marquee in the same style of the side. All that remains is to have some replacement side doors made and finished to blend in with the cabinet. As far as I can find, this was a unique model of unknown maker, and I only found one other reference to a working model using Pepper's Ghost illusion. I would have expected that to be more common.
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moonriver
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Re: Indian Fakir Working Model

Post by moonriver »

Great job, it's nice to see a working model out of decades of storage and restored and working again. Especially a unique one such as this one.
It's also nice when these can be back out in the public domain where they can be seen working, enjoyed and played on, rather than ending up locked away in a private collection.
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tim575
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Re: Indian Fakir Working Model

Post by tim575 »

Replacement side doors in place in the same style as the original cabinet which completed restoration of this working model, it now sits alongside other crane conversions in one of my game rooms. Still is "maker unknown", I can estimate some of the likely owner trail of collectors, but not the original maker. I have not seen any old photos of this machine online or in publications/books so far. If anyone comes across an old photo with it please let me know.
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Indian Fakir restore complete
Indian Fakir restore complete
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john t peterson
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Re: Indian Fakir Working Model

Post by john t peterson »

Wow! What a line up of interesting working models. If you have time now, Tim, seeing as we're all stuck inside looking at our four walls, it would be great if you could produce a video going down the line, showing the operation of each machine.

Just a suggestion.

J Peterson
Easily suggested in the United States of Arrested Development. !!USA!!
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moonriver
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Re: Indian Fakir Working Model

Post by moonriver »

That's a tantalising photo. Does the line of working models go all around the rest of the room? !!YIPPEE!!
tim575 wrote: Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:47 pm Still is "maker unknown", I can estimate some of the likely owner trail of collectors, but not the original maker.
We still haven't determined the original maker of the Charlie and Mabel either.
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tim575
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Re: Indian Fakir Working Model

Post by tim575 »

Most Working Models are on that one wall, although there is an English Execution on the other side of the room. I have 3 rooms of games, total of 2,500 square feet, over 100 machines. Separated into a 1930's penny arcade theme (1896-1945), with the non-US ones in the side room (working models, Ruffler & Walker 2-player racers etc) and a downstairs area in a 1960's arcade theme (1940-1975). The Indian Fakir, Charlie and Mabel, and English Execution all came indirectly or directly from Todd's collection in 2013-2015. I would say the Indian Fakir is older, 40's or 50's, and Charlie is not as old, could be 50's but I would guess 60's based on how they were converted and materials used.
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moonriver
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Re: Indian Fakir Working Model

Post by moonriver »

Thanks for the info, very interesting, sounds like a great collection, just my kind of thing.
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tim575
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Re: Indian Fakir Working Model

Post by tim575 »

Looking over some old posts I noticed I never added the information a year ago to wrap this one up.
Based on leads from Moonriver for sightings of similar working models it turns out there is one other Indian Fakir in the Davenport collection. Based on restoration photos of markings in/on it, I think it is most likely these were made by Samson Novelty and not just distributed by them. That collection also had another peppers ghost illusion with similar style of marquee that did a magic trick of sawing a woman in half. Some of the top/side marquee for the Davenport one were missing and recreated, but the main front one is original and I have good pics of it. Now I just need to find an old school signwriter to create one in that style for mine. Problem is finding a real signwriter, all the ones that used paint and brush seem to have retired during the pandemic, the ones left in business now all use computer printed vinyl or paper which is not acceptable for restoration use and signwriting is unique with the lettering + graphics, not your usual art painting work.
http://www.davenportcollection.co.uk/co ... od_id=1224
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