Boîtes Simples Genus (1846 - 1849)

These are small viewers for paper dioramas that predate the Polyorama Panoptique. They are "optical machines" and are included in the Optical Machine Taxonomy. Many are from from the workshop of Henri Lefort (1804-1880). Others are influenced by and/or seek to improve on Lefort's design.

 

They are part of the Boîtes Dioramique Family.

 

The defining features of the genus are:

	• a simple rectangular form
	• no lens adjustment;
	• top (for front)- and back-flaps for illumination of paper dioramas
	• wood construction;
	• side or top slots for inserting and removing plaques dioramique (i.e. paper dioramas with wooden or tin frames).

 

Each of the following rows represents a different species.

 

Boîte Simple 14:
	EXBD-69056	DFF-90-A-351	MNC-M03371

These are probably the first of the viewers for the popular 10 x 14 cm format of paper dioramas.

 

They are simple and standardized with only slight variations. For example, EXBD-69056 has a plain mahogany front while DFF-90-A-351 has Lefort's characteristic green patterned paper. MNC-M03371 has a top-entry slot while the others are all side-entry.

Boîte Simple 20:
	MNC-M04936

This boîte is for larger format images (20 cm wide). It is depicted alongside the Polyorama Panoptique that superseded it in 1849.

Boîte Lorgnette:
	AP-94-759

This box is for viewing circular, translucent images similar to, but slightly larger than, those for the Lorgnettes Pittoresque.

 

Boîte Marron:
	FB-POL-24

This box is papered in brown with a faux burled walnut pattern. It has a tin lens-frame and lens-cover. It is likely not a Lefort box.

 

Boîte Noir:
	FB-POL-2

This box is papered in black with an unusual wire mechanism for synchronizing front and back illumination. It is likely not a Lefort box.

 

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