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Magic Mirror Stanhope-Viewer

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extremely rare French Stanhope viewer in form of a hand mirror. Attributed to Renè Dagron. For 42 miniature photographs, solid brass, silver plated body. A figurative scene depicting a showman and his audience on the front. In the background a harlequin and his mate open a theatre curtain to reveal the eyepiece of the viewer. Engraved next to the ocular: MAGIE. The Stanhope images are mounted in a lathed brass ring and can be changed using a central turning knobon the reverse. To position the tiny images exactly behind the ocular there is a cogged wheel with a spring brake. The mechanism is accessible through a hinged metal cover on the rear. The images show various views of Italy, some have stains. This exceptional viewer in beautiful original condition would be the highlight of every Stanhope collection. (c.1880, condition: B)

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