Panoptique Polyorama

Small version of the Polyorama Panoptique, an optical toy which was popular from the 1820s through to the 1860s. It was invented by Pierre Seguin and is based on Daguerre's Diorama, of which it is a small-scale and simplified version. It consists of a portable box-camera designed to take printed and painted cards. The box is attached to a concertina device which carries the viewing lens. The illustration card is inserted at the back of the box and can be illuminated through the door which allows the user to control the degree and direction of light. The viewer is complete and in good original condition, the fragile paper covering and bellows are show only minor signs of wear. The original 'Polyorama Panoptique' label and the makers sticker are on top. The Polyorama comes with 12 beautiful printed cards which are hand-coloured. The illustration cards are mounted on wooden frames 14,5x20cm