Rod Bantjes, “EXBD-69415_Tims_Telescopic_View.html,” created 6 September, 2025; last modified, created 6 September, 2025 (https://people.stfx.ca/rbantjes/).
Tim’s Telescopic View
Bill Douglas Cinema Museum[1] #EXBD-69117
English, 1953
Dimensions: H= 15.2cm, W= 17.5cm, D= cm
Lens: ⌀=2.2 cm, ƒ= 51.9cm
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Figure 69117.1 –Tim’s Telescopic View |
| This is a sterescopic photo through the lens. If you can freeview it cross-eyed you will see how the coulisses are arrayed in the depth of the view. Photo © Rod Bantjes. |
This is a folding paper theatre to be viewed through a small lens. It is an example of an "optical machine " and is included in the Optical Machine Taxonomy.
Like the kulissentheatre on which it is modelled, it relies on coulisses and the principle of binocular convergence to create its 3D effect.
These folding theatres became popular in England in the 1850s. They are examples of the period fascination with miniaturization and collapsibility. This example is a nostalgic revival of the toy to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Most folding theatres did not have lenses (e.g. EXBD-69417) and are not included in the Optical Machine Taxonomy.[2]