Alexandre Nicolas Théroude
Alexandre Nicolas Théroude was born on February 25th 1807, in Saint-Pierre-en Val (France). He left his family very young and came to be established in Paris. In 1828, he joined a certain Mr Varin, in the fancy goods trade. A few years later, Théroude went out on his own and opened a factory of mechanical toys. He married, in 1832, Adélaïde Elisabeth Bassot, and the dowry brought by the young woman facilitated his beginnings considerably.
His fame grew quickly. With the advent of the industrial Exposition of 1849, the reporter notes that " Mr Théroude is one of our premier mechanical manufacturers of mechanical toys: he works for Paris and for export and does have any rivals on the foreign markets. "
" He improved the bodies and the wheels of the barrel which it took for direct engine, the play of the valves, the composition of the toy skin. The products exhibited by Mr Théroude testify to his skill, and, in the visiting of his workshop, we noted the importance of the production, the intelligence and the simplicity of work. "
Waltzing Couple
Théroude, 1850 H.45 cm
Collection of Jacqueline and Guido Reuge
Book: "
Âge d'or des automates"
In 1854, Théroude manufacture increased. At
this time, the general Directory of the Trade and Industry gives this
information on his production: " Théroude: special manufacturer
of automatons and toys of mechanical children; inventor of the Child in
the cradle, distinctly saying " dad " and " mom ";
sheep and goats bleating, Equilibrist, the badly raised Rabbit, the Hen
with the gold eggs, etc ".
Even at the top of his success, Théroude was never satisfied with
what he had acquired, he continued to invent and improve his creations,
as testified by the long list of his patents. He unceasingly sought to
improve his creations and to adapt them to various budgets. With each
exposition he endeavoured to create a more beautiful display than the
precedent.
Waltzing Couple
Théroude, 1850 H.43cm
Private collection
Book: " Âge d'or des automates"
Because of the difficulties caused by the defeat of
France in 1870, very few French exhibitors went to London for the Exposure
of 1871. Alexandre Théroude took part in this Exposition.
The reporter affirms that " the king of this high part of the toys
manufacture was as always, one of our compatriots, Mr. A. Théroude.
During the entire exposition, crowds did not cease pressing themselves in front of his window, where, at certain hours, animated automata were shown representing men or animals imitating human actions. It was the best known exhibit of the Exposition and the curious would collect for the tolling of the hours when birds would sing, where the monkey would play the violin, where the zouave would sound bugle, etc. "
Waltzing Couple
Théroude,1850 H.32cm
2 tunes
Collection of Jacqueline and Guido Reuge
Book: " Âge d'or des automates"
It would be his last moment of glory. Ever then on, Théroude would have insurmountable problems which would finish, in January 1878, by a bankruptcy, this time definitively.
Alexandre Nicolas Théroude was, in his time, the most admired of all automatists. This man who had spent his life creating mecanical toys and automata of a charm and an admirable invention, finished his life completely poor.
Although Théroude's automata are very hard to find, a great number of his patents remain as a testimony to his sharp imagination, his humour, and his business sense.