I have seen an utterly wonderful and enchanting thing.
It’s this mechanical scale model of a three-ring circus, currently on display at Rosebery’s auction house in West Norwood. @roseberysltd 
It’s 27 feet long and takes up most of their entrance hall.
It’s beautifully put together, with over 100 moving parts, all of them mobilised by a single engine. Apart from that engine, it’s all mechanical.
Here's the the big top. It was made by David Hardie in the 1930s, and used by salesmen as a demo to circus owners of what they could buy.
A track goes all the way round, and carries two horse-drawn carriages and an advertising truck.
It takes five people two days to put it up. Same for taking it down. It’s quicker to set up an actual circus.
But once it’s going, and is switched on, it just runs and runs. Apparently it’s run for over 30 years without breakdown. Someone worked out that this amounts to 90,000 miles.
There are loads of gorgeous little details, like these guys doing their workout.
And this little scene.
It’s been in various places over the years, including the model village in Babbacombe in Devon. But now the time has come to sell it. You could buy it if you want. The starting price is £7000.
You’d need a big room, though.
Anyway, it’s a lovely thing, and if you have a chance, get yourself down to Rosebery’s. They have it on display, and switch it on some afternoons. The sale is on November 22nd. auctions.roseberys.co.uk/m/lot-details/…
This seems to have gone down rather well, so here are a few more clips.
I love the horses.
Small details give so much pleasure.
Keeper trying to entice monkey down from tree. (See also inquisitive rabbit.)
Roll up! Roll up!
Idea: everyone who’s retweeted or liked this chip in a tenner and we’ll buy it and keep it at my place. You can all come and see it any time you like.
Make it fifteen quid – we might need to knock down an internal wall or two.
It's occurred to me that we should crowdfund purchase of the magnificent thing in this thread. Only problem: I'm already running a crowdfunding campaign of my own, and I want everyone to contribute to that first.
It's not as wonderful or enchanting as the magic mechanical circus, but I'm making it as good as I possibly can. And like the circus, it will have elephants, music and ice cream. unbound.com/books/the-long…
Update: IF you’re in south London and IF you’re able to get to it, the remaining times when the mechanical model circus will be switched on are:
Sun 10-2, Mon 2-5, Wed 10-5, Thur 10-2.
And on Thursday it will be sold as the final lot of the auction.
Sun 10-2, Mon 2-5, Wed 10-5, Thur 10-2.
And on Thursday it will be sold as the final lot of the auction.
Not that I’m in thrall to celebrity or anything, but retweets from @prodnose and @neilhimself make today even better than Clarkson Day.
Adding to the mechanical circus thread to clear up one thing: the big top was made in the 1930s, but the mechanics etc, afaik, were built incrementally over four decades from the 50s to the 90s.
Ok, last few pics from the circus. Parked caravans.
A domestic scene.
Farrier, farrying.
Caravan interior.
That's it. Thanks all for the retweets and everything. Really rather reassuring that there's so much love for something so joyful. Gives you hope. And if you missed it, scroll up for the full story – I think you'll find it worthwhile. Night.
If you liked my thread about the mechanical model circus yesterday (it has, I now realise, a name: 'Silver's Model Circus'), do follow @Diana_Townsend, who I gather has been responsible for its renovation. Her timeline has wonderful photos and background info.
