| | | "Spooner's Perspective View of The Great Exhibition", a telescoping view of the interior of the Crystal Palace. This item is also known as a Peep Show. This piece has 8 cut out hand colored pieces (and a picture on the back panel, making 9 layers) that are connected by linen sides that allow the item to be expanded or flattened. The back piece is solid and the front piece has a hole in the center. You look down the hole in the center (see the second picture) and you see the inside of the Crystal Palace. The scene inside "is taken from the Transept, near the 'Crystal Fountain', and embraces the whole length of the Foreign Nave, or Eastern end of the Exhibition". (This along with a more complete description or what is shown is written on the back. See last picture.) It shows the steel structure above, a fountain in the center, flags along the side and lots of people. The insides are hand colored. This was published on "August 9, 1851". These peep shows give a true perspective of what being in the Crystal Palace really looked like. Rare. Size: 7 1/2" wide by 6 1/8" high and opens to 28" long (to view the inside picture). Condition: Very Fine. The top is a little faded and has some edge damage. The linen sides are a little soiled. The back is soiled. Inside the colors are bright although there is slight soiling and a couple of slight bends it views beautifully. | |
| $ 375 |