Robert-Houdin Glass Column Mystery Clock. Paris, circa 1850. A transparent glass 5о dial in round brass bezel to which is attached a single arrow-shaped ormolu hand. Reverse painted black Roman numerals and inner minute track. The clock stands 18 _о high and is supported on a gilt wood and ormolu base 6 _ x 5о, the whole resting on a wooden base with four feet. The case supports a clear glass tube on which rests the bezel and dial. Brass round movement stamped no. 72. Front plate signed Duval Paris, rear plate stamped сBrevet DНInvention.о The movement drives an inner glass tube with connection at the dial stem to another indirect bevel gear driving an inner glass disc behind the main dial, which causes the hand to turn. Included is a substantial, handsome, and sturdy hardwood and glass display case with form-fitting hardwood packing case. Key lacking. Dial possibly repainted and base regilded with minor embellishments lacking, but overall very good condition for this, one of the most desirable mystery clocks by the father of modern magic and an iconic object from the inventive mind of the most prominent magician of the nineteenth century. Introduced by Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin at a Paris Exposition in the late 1830s, his Mystery Clocks were an instant success. Fully functioning clocks with no apparent connection between the hands and the clockworks were a complete novelty at the time. Robert-HoudinНs first efforts (also known as сfirst seriesо or сsingleо Mystery Clocks) had glass faces. Later developments, including this example, were more complex in operation. In the present example, there are two mysteries _ a glass clock face, and a glass tube supporting the face.