The Tapping Man has received some publicity recently. Yesterday I was walking along the Block Arcade, and there he was, tapping on the window with his stick to attract the attention of passerbys to the shop.The hand made Tapping man was originally put in a Swanston Street shop in the 1930s. Not only does he tap the window, his head swivels a bit as he does so. His restoration was paid for by the head of a mesothelioma causing company which moved offshore to attempt to avoid responsibility, so indirectly, I suppose some workers don't die in vain.
I want one of those.
ReplyDeleteOur local cobblers has an automaton of a old bloke with whiskers tapping away at an upturned boot in the window. At least...it used to tap away at an upturned boot. Some time back the boot fell over and the hammer dropped out of his hand. Now he just looks as though he's doing something that he really oughtn't be doing in public.
There used to be a shop in Hell (aka Chadstone) with a tapping cobbler like Brian described...but the snooty management kicked them to the kerb. Hmph.
ReplyDeleteI likes that Tapping Man; shall take FB off to the Block Arcade for some historical architectural appreciation education and a gander at that chap ;)
Never seen one in my life; scared now.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I'd like one too!
ReplyDeleteHave seen something similar through the window of the local brothel. Except she is dressed in leather with a riding crop in hand whipping the naked buttocks of some elderly gentleman.(Who looks uncannily like one of our supreme court judges......hahaha)
ReplyDelete"Have seen something similar through the window of the local brothel. Except she is dressed in leather with a riding crop in hand whipping the naked buttocks of some elderly gentleman."
ReplyDeleteI wondered what had happened to Camilla recently.
I had seen one of those too Brian. Jayne reminded me of where.
ReplyDeleteBlock Arcade is very beautiful Jayne. So are Haighs Chocolates.
You don't like clowns either Reuben?
Daisy, I wonder if the tapping annoys the shop staff?
I'll go along with the game. Anon, very common in old Blighty I understand.
Seen Charles rubbing his ass Brian?
No more than I like Family First, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing that as a child and I think the store was Alexanders.
ReplyDeleteWhoever does one phone to get a thing like that restored?
Another store window thing in Melbourne I thought was magic when I was very young was the Downyflake Donut machine with it's perpetual-motion conveyor belt and flipper thing.
The store is now a Maccas - the one near Young & Jacksons.
Their motto was hilarious:
"As you go through life brother,
Keep your eye upon the donut,
Not upon the hole."
I remember the donut machine well Ann but I don't recall the motto at all. My mother always used to afternoon tea at the Classic Cafe, which perhaps replaced the donut shop, subsequently replaced by Mac.
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