Colporter

Württembergisches LandesMuseum Stuttgart, #WL-VK-1982-259

Germany ca.1780

Dimensions: H=65 cm, W=50 cm, D=53

Lens: ⌀= cm, ƒ= cm

 

Figure WL-VK-1982-259.1 –Colporter
Photo © Dirk Kittelberger.

This is a rare surviving show-box. It is unusual in having only one lens and only a manual scene-change capability. It is an example of an “optical machine ” and is included in the Optical Machine Taxonomy as a member of the order of show-boxes. It is on its own in the family of manual show-boxes. The Pull-String Show-Box family (Raree Show and Mondo Niovo) enable scene-changes using rigging like a theatre; the Roll Show-Box family (Bioscope and Shahr-E Farang) enables scene-changes through a movable scroll of images; the Cosmorama allows viewers to move between multiple scenes. This show-box has none of those features.

 

With its retractable lens-box, stocky shape, storage drawer, and furniture legs, it bears resemblance to the later cabinet-style optical machines: Austrian Cabinet; Lisbon Cabinet.

 

 

 

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