Playbill for the Automaton Chess Player
Company:
Maezel's Exhibition, Masonic Hall
Publication:
Philadelphia, Penn.
Date:
1834
Pages:
1 p.
Copyright Owner:
Library Company of Philadelphia
Credit Line:
Courtesy of the Library Company of Philadelphia
Accession:
L062303075
Document:
Description:
Johann Nepomuk Maelzel, a Bavarian inventor, purchased The Turk from the son of the original inventor, Wolfgang von Kempelen, around 1807. He toured the attraction throughout Europe, eventually transporting it to America in 1826, where it played for crowds in many cities including New York, Boston and Philadelphia.