Card Pigeon Automaton. Flein: R?diger Deutsch, ca. 2000. Handsome hardwood pedestal with burled top supports two faux marble columns and a brass perch on which sits a white dove. A card is chosen at random and placed in a decorative metal houlette before the bird. The magician then engages a music box concealed in the base, and as the tune plays, the bird slowly descends toward the cards, grasps one pasteboard in its beak, and then, with a mighty pull, removes it from the pack. It is, of course, the selection. Finely constructed and one of a limited number manufactured by Deutsch, based on plans in an early nineteenth century conjuring book. Height 18 ??. Good working condition. The builder?s own example of this prop.