The Opal View, 1851
Starting bid: € 900 | Estimate: € 1.600 – 2.000
A viewing device made of thin, transparent porcelain for four rotating, colored engravings. The 90-degree angles between the images, when viewed through the 22 mm magnifying lens, create a sharp, three-dimensional illusion. The first image bears the inscription: “The Opal Views are Manufactured by J.J. Mathewson, Nos. 4, 21, 51 & 59 Thames Tunnel and will always preserve their color in any climate”. It shows two superimposed colored engravings: Above, a paddle steamer on the Thames; below, the double Thames Tunnel, each with three levels. The three other engravings, with their detailed, surrounding titles, are: “Interior of the Crystal Palace Opened by Her Majesty, May 1st, 1851”, “Thames Tunnel (1200 feet long, 76 feet high, water mark was 8 years building and cost £ 446,000. Opened the 25th day of March 1843)” and “The Thames Tunnel took 50,000 bricks per foot, 6,600,000 in all without the shaft, cost £ 446,000.”. The device is 13 cm high, with a maximum diameter (for the engravings) of 67 mm. An original cardboard insert is glued to the base. The device bears a certain resemblance to an alabaster peep-egg, but appears much earlier and more elaborate. According to the description, Mathewson had four shops in what was then the eighth wonder of the world and sold souvenirs to visitors who admired technology. Our research indicates that it is not currently known from the literature.
The Opal View, 1851
Betrachtungsgerät aus dünnem, durchsichtigem Porzellan für 4 drehbare, kolorierte Stiche. Die 90-Grad-Winkel zwischen den Bildern erzeugen eine randscharfe Raumillusion, wenn man durch die 22 mm große Lupe schaut. Das erste Bild hat die umlaufende Überschrift: “The Opale Views are Manufactured by J.J. Mathewson, No. 4, 21, 51 & 59 Thames Tunnel and will always preserve their color in any climate”. Gezeigt werden zwei übereinanderliegende kolorierte Stiche, oben ein Raddampfer auf der Themse, darunter der doppelte Themse-Tunnel mit je 3 Ebenen. Die weiteren drei Stiche mit ihren umlaufenden ausführlichen Titeln: “Interior of the Crystal Palace Opened by Her Majesty, May 1st 1851”, “Thames Tunnel (1200 feet long 76 feet high water mark was 8 Years building and cost £ 446000. Opened the 25th day of March 1843)” und “The Thames Tunnel took 50000 Bricks per foot 6600000 in all without the shaft Cost £ 446000”. Höhe 13 cm, größter Durchmesser (für die Stiche) 67 mm, am Boden ist ein eingeklebter Original-Karton. Das Gerät hat eine gewisse Ähnlichkeit mit einem Peep-Egg aus Alabaster, doch sieht es viel früher und aufwendiger aus. Mathewson hat gemäß der Beschreibung 4 Geschäfte im damaligen 8. Weltwunder gehabt und veräußerte Andenken an technikbewundernde Besucher. Nach unseren Literatur-Recherchen bisher nicht bekannt.
