Lehman automaton toy, 1930s.

Lehman automaton toy, 1930s.
"Tap dancer".
Wind-up.
Painted tinplate.
Exhibits wear consistent with age and use.
Measurements: 25 x 13 x 8 cm.

The tap dancer of the legendary German brand Lehmann is a tinplate automaton toy manufactured in the 1930s. These toys were highly innovative for the time, as they used wind-up mechanisms or spring systems to generate realistic movements. Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk was the founder of the company, one of the most prestigious tinplate toy companies in Germany, founded in 1881 and active until the middle of the 20th century. Made of lithographed tinplate, with hand-painted details to highlight the dancer's costume. It works with a wind-up system. When activated, the doll imitates tap dance steps with rhythmic and graceful movements. Includes a small base or platform to improve the stability of the dance.