Choreutoscope

America

c.1870

The choreutoscope was invented by L.S. Beale of England in 1866. This is an American version. The "dancing skeleton" becomes animated by having a sliding set of separate images pass rapidly behind an opening with a shutter masking each successive movement and creating a continous animation.

0333

The Dancing Skeleton

America

c. 1880

4" x 11"

A different form of the Choreutoscope. In this slide a skeleton figure is drawn in different positionss on a rotating disc. When the disc rotates and the shutter rotates the skeleton seems to dance.

4153

Sailor’s Hornpipe

Great Britain

c. 1890

4" x 11"

A different form of the Choreutoscope. In this slide a sailor in different positions are printed on a rotating disc. When the disc rotates and the shutter rotates the sailor seems to dance.

4624

Wood & hand-painted glass

Continental

c. 1850

19 1/2" x 6 3/4"

1551

Projecting Phenakistascope

America

c. 1870

Image: 3 1/4" diameter; frame: 4" x 9 1/2"

1435

Projecting Phenakistascope

America

c. 1870

Image: 3 1/4" diameter; frame: 4" x 11"

A simpler version of the projecting phenakistascope with sixteen discs.

4606

Projecting Phenakistascope

America

c. 1870

Image: 3 1/4" diameter; frame: 4" x 11"

A simpler version of the projecting phenakistascope.

4154

Hand-painted glass

America

c. 1870

3" diameter

Two slides for the projecting phenakistascope.

2444/2445

Hand-painted glass

c. 1870

3 1/16" diameter

Four slides for the projecting phenakistascope.

2702

Three Changeable Heads

Hand-painted glass slide

Great Britain

c. 1860

4" x 7"

Chromotrope with changeable heads that go from three horses heads to three soldiers.

1254

To Glory-Coming Home

Hand-painted glass slide

Great Britain

c. 1880

4" x 7"

A metamorphic slide. One view shows a proud man going to war (To Glory). The second view which becomes apparent when you rotate the slide 180 degrees shows a donkey or mule eating oats (Coming Home).

4614

The Chameleon Effect

America

c. 1880

4 1/2" x 10 1/4"

A chameleon sitting on a branch changes colors.

2126

Snow Effect

Wood & perforated paper

Great Britain

c. 1880

4" x 7"

1745

Ascension

Wood & hand-painted glass

America

c. 1880

9 1/2" x 4"

Sold by T.H. McAllister, New York

4116

Wood & hand-painted glass

America

c. 1880

4" x 7"

Sold by A.T. Thompson & Co., Boston.

2536

Wood & hand-painted glass

America

c.1880

4" x 7"

Sold by McIntosh Battery & Optical, Chicago.

2538

The Cycloidotrope

Brass, wood & glass

America

c. 1870

4 1/2" x 10 1/2"

This ingenious slide, known as the Invisible Drawing Master, used a stylist and produce projected geometric forms on smoked glass in real time.

In original box.

2377

Tank Slide

Wood & glass

Great Britain

c. 1880

4" x 7"

A slide featuring a windowed, concave trench used for holding various liquids.

3375

Kaleidoscopic Slide

Wood & stained glass pieces

Great Britain

c. 1880

4" x 7"

3436

Spirograph

Wood and hand-painted glass

Great Britain

c. 1880

Spirograph slide: 4 1/4" x 10 1/2"

Image slides: 3 3/4" x 5 1/2"

Box: 5 1/4" x 11 1/4" x 5"

Sold by J. T. Middleton, 38 Little Queen St. Holborn, London

This boxed spirograph set allows the creation of multiple chromotropes. A fixed rotating slide with the black spiral design can be combined with one of the twelve slides (including a water fountain, the Prince of Wales Feathers & the Coat of Arms of Great Britain), creating a powerful image.

4185