Panoptique & Dioptrique Polyrama

Smaller version of the Polyrama 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 nearly entirely intact and show only minor signs of wear. The original 'Polyrama Panoptique' label and the makers sticker are on top. The Polyrama comes with 3 beautiful printed cards which are hand-coloured. The illustration cards are mounted on wooden frames 14.3x9.5cm and have printed captions on the back. Versailles, Chambe des Deputes & Le Peintre devant la nature et dans son Atelier.