Optical Toys that will amuse and instruct

Stereoscope Ref: LH-H60

HEMISFERIUM

Studies about binocular vision go back to Euclide, but it was Sir Charles Wheatstone, in 1838, who invented the "stereoscope" an instrument which allowed drawings to be viewed from two different angles, giving the impression of tri-demensionality.
The development of photography transformed the stereoscope from a simple scientific curiosity into one of the most popular "toys" of the bourgeoisie after1850. In 1851, during the Universal Exposition of London, a French company presented Queen Victoria with one, which ensured its popularity. This model is a reproduction of the one created by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1862.

Price: £118.99 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Clapperboard Ref: LH-H61

HEMISFERIUM

The clapperboard as part of the photographic equipment used to synchronize sound and motion picture, was invented at the beginnings of 20th century. A typical clapperboard consists of a doble board or slate, generally black and white, with a hinged piece of wood attached. Details of the shot being filmed are written on the board: date and name of the film, director´s name, producer, sequence number, scene and take number.
Price: £22.00 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Zoetrope Ref: LH-H62

HEMISFERIUM

From first scientific toys that used animated images to modern movies, retinal persistence has been fundamental to fooling the mind into believing that a series of static images are in motion.
In1834, the English mathematician George Horner proposed a practical apparatus based on the phenakistoscope of Plateau and Stampfer (1830). It eliminated the need for a mirror and it enabled several people at the same time to view the moving pictures - an advance over the single spectator of the earlier toy.
Price: £46.00 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Praxinoscope Ref: LH-H63

HEMISFERIUM

This scientific toy with animated images also relies on retinal persistence to make us believe we are seeing images in motion.
The praxinoscope was patented by the Frenchman Emile Reynaud in 1877, who was looking to overcome the deficiencies of the zoetrope, which enjoyed enormous popularity at the time. His apparatus was the first to eliminate the distorted view of the images in movement caused by insufficient light passing through the small slots of the zoetrope. This improvement in the quality of the image resulted in immediate popularity for the praxinoscope.
Price: £50.00 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Polyhedral Sundial Ref: LH-A214

ANTIQUUS

The polyhedric sundial represents the top knowledge of the gnomonics, proven by the ability and erudition of gnomonist.
Since it has different sides, these are not illuminated at the same time.
As the sun moves, it illuminates the sides depending on the time of the day and this way it can be seen from different angles.
This polyhedric sundial is a true replica of the one manufactued by Stefano Buonsignori in the XVI century, which is located in the Institute and Museum of Science in Florence. The sundial has eighteen hexagonal sides of which seventeen correspond to solar quadrants with different orientations and inclinations.
Price: £41.99 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Phenaquistiscope Ref: LH-A403

ANTIQUUS

Phenaquistiscope , despite the difficulty of its name, is in fact an amusing toy. The Belgian physicist of century XIX, Joseph Plateau , was the one who invented this instrument based on the persistence of the retina. Phenaquistiscope contains , then , in essence, the first principle of the cinema which is essentially human eye reaction by the disc of the Plateau effect. The only difference is that images drawn on the disc have been replaced by the photographic images of the celluloid tape.
Price: £42.99 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Taumatropo Ref: LH-A405

ANTIQUUS

The taumatrope is an optical instrument which was produced for the first time by John Ayrton Paris in England on 1824. His aim was to prove that retina is inclined to persist in a course of action or movement.

It contains a disc with two different images in each side and two tied ropes. When pulling the ropes, both sides of the disc will come together in one image.br> The taumatrope was the precedent to other instruments like zootrope or praxinoscope, which are precursors of the cinemascope.
Price: £10.00 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Myriorna Ref: LH-A406

ANTIQUUS

The "Myriorama" was a very well-known entertainment during the XIX century. The first publish Myriorama is dated on 1830 in Leipzig.

This game contains eighteen illustrations which can be mixed together randomly and will show thousands of different landscapes.
Price: £13.00 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Anamorphosis Ref: LH-A407

ANTIQUUS

The distorted forms or anamorphosis was a very popular instrument during the XIX century. It consists of hidden figures appearing when projected on a reflecting surface, as a cylinder, cone or pyramid.
Although the terminology "anamorphosis" was first used in the XVII century, Leonardo Da Vinci described it on his notes.
Manierism (Europe 1530-1600) was totally characterised by distorted forms. Painters showed special interest in objects distorted by convex mirrors. In this art context, the anamorphosis took place and as a clear example, please refer "The Embassadors" (detail on the sword) by Hans Holbein.
Curious tip: You can download a programme from the Internet (www.anamorphosis.com) that allows you see the anamorphosis in your own images.
Includes: 24 Lovely different patterned cards size 8.25'' square, Silvered cylinder, Silvered Cone & Instruction booklet
Price: £31.00 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Kaleidoscope (Red Leather) Ref: LH-A408

ANTIQUUS

This product is an optical instrument invented by David Brewster in 1816. By the following years it was very well known in all Europe.
It consists of a cylinder whose interior is filled with small portions of coloured glass. The reflection of these pieces on three flat mirrors creates endless combinations with different shapes when turning. Beauty, colour and variety have inspired artists and their creativity.
This Kaleidoscope is actually a copy of the original Kaleidoscope dated in 1874 and found by "Antiquus" at an Antique Market in Prague.
Price: £29.00 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Kaleidoscope (Paper) Ref: LH-A409

ANTIQUUS

Mini Zoetrope Ref: LH-A410

ANTIQUUS

From first scientific toys that used animated images to modern movies, retinal persistence has been fundamental to fooling the mind into believing that a series of static images are in motion.
In1834, the English mathematician George Horner proposed a practical apparatus based on the phenakistoscope of Plateau and Stampfer (1830). It eliminated the need for a mirror and t enabled several people at the same time to view the moving pictures- an advance over the single spectator of the earlier toy.
Price: £31.00 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Telescopic View Ref: LH-A412

A view of the Crystal Palace opening ceremony by Queen Victoria, a good peepshow in its reproduction high quality slipcase.

A peep hole in the front lets you look through the marvel of the exhibition.

The case is 15.2 cm x 19.0 or 6" x 7 1/2", the peepshow in 7 panels opens to 50 cm or 19 3/4".
Price: £22.99 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Praxinoscope Ref: LH-A413

ANTIQUUS

This scientific toy with animated images also relies in retinal persistence to make us believe we are seeing images in motion.
The praxinoscope was patented by the Frenchman Emile Reynaud in 1877, who was looking to overcome the deficiencies of the zoetrope, which enjoyed enormous popularity at the time. His apparatus was the first to eliminate the distorted view of the images in movement caused by insufficient light passing through the small slots of the zoetrope. This improvement in the quality of the image resulted in immediate popularity for the praxinoscope.
Price: £51.99 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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