September 9 & 10, 2022 The Henri Krijnen Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/9/2022
1979, USA: Walt Disney patented the terminology "audio-animatronic" in 1967, where prerecorded audio was synchronized with the movement of robotics to produce a very life-like effect in his attractions at Disneyland. By 1970, southern California had become the hub of robotic engineers and several companies adopted and licensed Disney 's patents to produce very entertaining exhibits and displays for Hotels, Casinos, Fairs and theme parks. In that same year, a hotel opened in Paradise, NV, called the Royal Americana Hotel, which ultimately became the Paddlewheel Hotel and Casino, before being purchased by Debbie Reynolds in 1990. In 1979, The Paddle Wheel casino tapped into the audio-animatronics craze in California and commissioned an entertainment attraction, called "Jo Jo Ivory and the Paddle Wheelers" to be built and placed in their theater to entertain guests. The attraction was modeled after famous jazz musicians of the 1950's and 60's, and includes a piano player and vocalist, (Jo JO) a trumpet, clarinet, base and sax musicians, with a banjo playing vocalist. Henri Krijnen purchased the attraction in 1995 from the then Debbie Reynolds hotel and had it restored from 2003 to 2009 by Hoffman Figurines out of Bad Rodach Germany. To say this is an amazing example of 1970 Audio-Animatronic engineering would be a gross understatement. The action includes, eyes, hands, mouths, cheeks blowing air, and near perfect synchronization of singing to lip movements, and motion to musical instruments. The prerecorded sound is produced from a server with hard drive control box, Ultragraph equalizer, and deploys 99 prerecorded songs and actions. Able to be played in Juke box mode, single song at a time, or continuous mode, one song after another. CONSIDERATIONS: The figures are all in a great state of repair, Jo Jo, the piano player, has some scuffs to his neck, but nothing that distracts from his movements. The automaton comes with server stand and all the electronics, all the necessary wiring, speakers, lighting, and the compressor to run the pneumatics. An amazing attraction, suitable for todays retro-entertainment, in a restaurant, pup, or theme park environment.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.Condition: (Excellent).
Item Dimensions: Largest: 100" x 60" x 100".