Replica & New Optical Toys: Early Visual Media - Photography - Pre-cinema - Toy - demonstration

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DIDACTICAL MEDIA ARCHAEOLOGY REPLICAS Publications Home

Manufacturers and Distributors are invited to provide sample items from their catalogues. Toys can be purchased without interference of Early Visual Media by contacting the links provided. See bottom of page for conditions to announce 'Newly Made Optical Toys'. Send Toy review request too: thomas@visual-media.be

The most fascinating amusements, both for children and adults are the Philosophical toys or, Optical Toys, Kinetic Toys & Jouet Séditieux.
Many of these toys from the 17^th., 18^th. & 19^th. Century where firstly developed as a result of scientific research and often became popular as scientific amusements and toys for children & grown-ups.

The most representative example is the Phenakistiscope, invented by Joseph Plateau, and the same device, Simon Stampfer's Stroboscopische Sheiben, invented simultaneously and independent by the former scientist. (see animation on the right)

Both identical toys where the first to create the illusion of movement from a series of artificial 'still' images. This is the opposite of the work done by the chronophotographers who analyzed true movement and reduced life into a series of 'still' images.

This page compares the working of newly made optical toys with their historical vintage examples. All toys are copyrighted by their respective manufacturers.

Original Stroboscopische Sheibe.

All reproduction photographs are copyrighted
© 2006 - 2007 Thomas Weynants

Please refer to 'Early Visual Media' as your information source for the replica(s) you order

R		English Style Camera Obscura.
English Style Camera Obscura Newly made 'English Style Camera Obscura' to be used as a drawing aid for artists or demonstration model for didactical purposes. This Camera Obscura is made in solid, 1/2 inch thick, Oak lumber with a protective finish. It can be used as a fully functional art tool. Move mouse over image to see the camera sliding out. The two parts of the instrument are telescopic, as seen in English Style Camera Obscura's, to enable focusing. Both, a clear and a ground glass are included for different purposes. More detailed technical information and order form for this sliding Camera Obscura can be found on Les Cookson's 'Ancient Magic Art Tools' website. More replicas of old drawing instruments can be found via the homepage of the website or ebay store. Contact Les Cookson for more information.

B		A 403y
THE PHENAKISTOSCOPE Newly made Phenakistiscope set in decorative box including handle for mounting and mirror for viewing. The set contains 6 cardboard discs based on both Joseph Plateau and Simon Stampfer reproductions. All discs work very well as seen in the original Stampfer's 'Stroboscopische Sheiben' or Plateau discs. The wooden handle is thicker as usually seen in an original set but this reproduction closely resembles the latter vintage samples More information on 'Vintage Phenakistiscopes' can be found on the Joseph Plateau introduction page and the Stampfer Discs and Phenakistiscope page. See also the academic Bill Douglas Phenakistoscope page. This set is made by Antiquus. All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

R		A 405y
THE MAGIC CIRCLE or THAUMATROPE Newly made Thaumatrope set in replica box. The set contains 10 strong paper discs reproduced from vintage samples. All Thaumatropes work very well as seen in original vintage sets. The 'Turning Wonder', as named in English, was an idea of Sir John Herschel and became popularized by John Ayrton in England. The 'Wonder Turner' demonstrates the short persistence of images on our retina. Thaumatropes were the first of many optical toys. More information on 'Vintage Thaumatropes' can be found on the academic Bill Douglas Thaumatrope page. This set is made by Antiquus. All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

B		H 62 y
THE ZOOTROPE or ZOETROPE (12 slots) Newly made Zootrope in decorative box including 13 color picture strips. This smoothly working Zootrope has a wooden base and a strong, paper decorated, plastic drum. Although the drum is made of (good quality) plastic this choice of material does not affect the wonderful look and working of the apparatus. All picture strips are nicely printed in color on strong high quality paper depicting reproductions of vintage samples. All strips are working perfectly and demonstrate the illusion of movement by still images. This is thanks to the correct relation between the number of 'slots' and number of images on the strips, a principle of utmost importance to guarantee a good illusion of animation. The diameter of the drum measures 20 cm. and this reproduction closely resembles a true vintage Zootrope. More information on 'Vintage Zootropes' can be found on the academic Bill Douglas Zootrope page. This set is made by Hemisferium. All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

B		A 410y
THE mini ZOOTROPE or ZOETROPE (12 slots) Small newly made Zootrope in decorative box including 4 color & 6 black & white picture strips. This Zootrope turns smoothly but not all strips are correctly adapted for this model due to incorrect relation between the number of slots and images on the strips. Obviously this can be solved easily by the manufacturer by replacing the accompanying strips in the future since the apparatus is OK. The Zootrope has a wooden base and a black cardboard drum. All picture strips are depicting reproductions of vintage samples. The diameter of the drum measures 12 cm. and this reproduction closely resembles a true vintage Zootrope. More information on 'Vintage Zootropes' can be found on the academic Bill Douglas Zootrope page. This set is made by Antiquus . All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

B		A 401y
THE ZOOTROPE or ZOETROPE (12 slots) Medium sized newly made Zootrope including 10 color & 10 black & white picture strips. This Zootrope turns smoothly and most strips are correctly adapted for this model. The Zootrope has a wooden base and a paper decorated strong cardboard drum. All picture strips are depicting reproductions of vintage samples. The diameter of the drum measures 17 cm. and this reproduction closely resembles a true vintage Zootrope. More information on 'Vintage Zootropes' can be found on the academic Bill Douglas Zootrope page. This set is made by Antiquus . All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

B		H 63y
THE PRAXINOSCOPE (12 mirrors) Newly made Praxinoscope in decorative box including 14 color picture strips. This smoothly working Praxinoscope has a wooden base and a strong, paper decorated, plastic drum with copper top. Although the drum is made of (good quality) plastic this choice of material does not affect the wonderful look and working of the apparatus. All picture strips are nicely printed in color on strong high quality paper depicting reproductions of vintage samples. All strips are working perfectly and demonstrate the illusion of movement by still images. This is thanks to the correct relation between the number of mirrors and number of images on the strips, a principle of utmost importance to guarantee a good illusion of animation. The mirrors are slightly tinted and have a 'old mirrorlike' deforming surface which improves the vintage look of the whole design. The diameter of the drum measures 20,5 cm. Hopefully the manufacturor will plan a 'Theatre Praxinoscope' version too? More information on 'Vintage Praxinoscopes' can be found on the academic Bill Douglas Praxinoscope page. This set is made by Hemisferium. All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

B		(same number) A 413 & A 413y
THE PRAXINOSCOPE (11 mirrors) both 20,5 cm. Two newly made Praxinoscopes including 10 color & 10 black & white picture strips. These smoothly turning Praxinoscopes both have a wooden base and resp. Copper or Brass drum with a wooden top. (use mouse over to see other). All picture strips are reproductions of vintage samples. Depending on the correct relation of the amount of mirrors and the quantity of images, some strips works better than others. The correct relation between the number of mirrors and number of images is a principle of utmost importance to guarantee a good illusion of animation. Strips from others sources that work better in this model can be found. This size of Praxinoscope is ideal to produce your own picture strips, strictly following the basic rules of mirror / images relation. The mirrors are clear and larger than in most vintage Praxinoscopes. The apparatus is OK More information on 'Vintage Praxinoscopes' can be found on the academic Bill Douglas Praxinoscope page. This set is made by Antiquus . All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

B		A 404 & A 414y
THE PRAXINOSCOPE (12 mirrors A 404 * 11 mirrors - A 414) With light shade - Drum 20,5 cm & 19 cm. Two electrified newly made Praxinoscopes including 10 color & 10 black & white picture strips. These smoothly turning Praxinoscopes both have a wooden base and resp. a carboard paper decorated and Copper drum with an identical light shade. (use mouse over to see other). Strips from others sources that work better in this model can be found. More information on 'Vintage Praxinoscopes' can be found on the academic Bill Douglas Praxinoscope page. This set is made by Antiquus. All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

Although, besides a different look, their design 'looks' the same, both Praxinoscopes are very different! The A 404 has 12 mirrors and the A 414 11 mirrors. Both series of picture strips (reproductions of vintage samples) however are identical which means that the illusion of movement should only work good in one of both if the correct relation between the number of mirrors and number of images. is respected. This relation is a principle of utmost importance to guarantee a good illusion of animation.
Obviously this can be solved easily by the manufacturer by adapting the accompanying strips in the future. The apparatus are OK.

B		A 402y
THE PRAXINOSCOPE (12 mirrors) Newly made Praxinoscope including 10 color & 10 black & white picture strips. This smoothly turning Praxinoscope has a wooden base and a strong, paper decorated, cardboard drum with small copper top. All picture strips are reproductions of vintage samples. Depending on the correct relation of the amount of mirrors and the quantity of images, some strips works better than others. The apparatus is OK The correct relation between the number of mirrors and number of images is a principle of utmost importance to guarantee a good illusion of animation. Strips from others sources that work better in this model can be found. This size of Praxinoscope is ideal to produce your own picture strips, strictly following the basic rules of mirror / images relation. The mirrors are clear and larger than in most vintage Praxinoscopes. The diameter of the drum measures 20,5 cm. More information on 'Vintage Praxinoscopes' can be found on the academic Bill Douglas Praxinoscope page. This set is made by Antiquus . All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

B		A 407y
THE MAGIC MIRROR ANAMORPHOSIS (Cone & Cylinder) Newly made Anamorphose set in decorative box including a Cone and a Cylinder mirror. Accompanying the set there are 10 images for the cone and 14 images for the cylinder mirror. All images are reproductions of vintage samples and work very well. Although the cone mirror has a spherical top, the reconstructed image in the mirror is only affected slightly in the center of the image. All images are printed in full color on thick glossy paper and measure 21 by 21 cm. More information on 'Vintage Anamorphoses' can be found on the Visual Media Anamorphose page. This set is made by Antiquus. All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

Recently the cone mirror was improved by the manufacturer from 'with a seam' to 'seamless' after some correspondence with the distributor.
Producing a sharp--pointed cone mirror would make this well made reproduction set more expensive. The set is a most wanted alternative for the rare and expensive vintage anamorphic images and mirrors.

B		H 60y
THE VERASCOPE (Holmes type STEREOSCOPE) Newly made handheld stereoscope in decorative box including 6 reproductions of stereo photos in black & white. This stereoscope works perfectly well but for some reason the manufacturer includes small size (14cm. x 7cm.) stereoviews and lenses that not enlarge the images. Unlike most original stereoscopes with a wooden handle this viewer is hold by a heavy brass handle but still resembles an original apparatus. All stereoviews are nicely printed on strong thick cardboard depicting reproductions of vintage samples, unfortunately not in sepia to resemble an original albumin photo. Obviously the illusion of 3-dimensions works perfectly well. Previous sets where accompanied with a poor quality stereo camera but the latter will be discontinued in the new sets. (a few sets with camera is still available) More information on 'Vintage Stereoscopes' can be found on the Visual Media Stereoscope page. This set is made by Hemisferium. All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

R		A 406y
MYRIORAMA - Panoramic landscape puzzle. (large size) Newly made Myriorama or Panoramic puzzle with 16 landscape pieces in decorative box. The word Myriorama derives from the Greek 'Myrias', which means “ten thousands”, and refers to the different combinations of possible landscapes with a relatively small number (16) of cards. The Myriorama was invented in France in 1802 by Jean-Pierre Brés and developed in England by John H. Clark. More information on Myriorama's can be found on the academic Bill Douglas Myriorama page. Use your mouse to Play with an interactive version of the Myriorama This set is made by Antiquus. All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

R		A 415y
MYRIORAMA - Panoramic landscape puzzle. (small size) Newly made Myriorama or Panoramic puzzle with 24 landscape pieces in decorative box. The word Myriorama derives from the Greek 'Myrias', which means “ten thousands”. This refers to the different combinations of possible landscapes with a relatively small number of 24 cards. (only 8 shown here!) This 24 card Myriorama offers 1686553615927922354187744 combinations. The Myriorama was invented in France in 1802 by Jean-Pierre Brés and developed in England by John H. Clark. More information on Myriorama's can be found on the academic Bill Douglas Myriorama page. Use your mouse to Play with an interactive version of the Myriorama This set is made by Antiquus. All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

A 415

R		A 412y
TELESCOPIC VIEW or Perspective View Crystal Palace opening ceremony by Queen Victory Newly made Perspective View in decorative box showing a 3-dimensional approximation of the opening ceremony of Crystal Palace by Queen Victory. . The Telescopic view is a kind of miniature folding peepshow often made as a souvenir to depict important public events. More information on Telescopic Views can be found on the academic Bill Douglas Telescopic View page. Use your mouse to Play with an interactive Telescopic View. This view is made by Antiquus. All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

R		A 408 & A 409y
THE KALEIDOSCOPE Newly made Kaleidoscopes. The Kaleidoscope was invented by the Scottish physicist David Brewster (1781-1868) in 1816. The name is based on the Greek kalos, meaning beautiful. In 1819 Brewster published "A Treatise on the Kaleidoscope". Most Kaleidoscopes have two mirrors inclined at an angle of sixty degrees to each other and produces five virtual images. Rare Kaleidoscope Magic Lantern accessorie lenses were able to project the true kaleidoscopic effect. More information on Kaleidoscopes can be found on the academic Kenyon Kaleidoscope page. This set is made by Antiquus. All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

Modern Optical Illusion Toy		Miragey
THE MIRAGE Due to two concave mirrors, the Mirage produces a small full-color hologram. Scientists call these amazing phenomena 'three-dimensional real images'. You can see and even photograph the virtual image but never touch it since the 'object' seen on top is only a virtual 'ghost-image'. See the secret of the Mirage. All Orders from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe can be send to the European distributor Leonard Honey. Please send all technical or other queries before ordering to Mr. Honey and advise Early Visual Media as your reference source.

Only good quality & reasonable quality New Optical Toys based on vintage items will be announced after both, the approval and the receive of one sample copy of each toy.
Send inquiry for toy reviews to thomas@visual-media.be and include permission for review use online.