V&A paper peepshows collection, by various

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DCIM102GOPRO

The world’s largest collection of paper peepshows has been donated to the V&A under the Government’s Cultural Gifts Scheme.

The collection of over 360 paper peepshows comes from 12 different countries and spans a 300-year period, covering historic events such as the coronation of Queen Victoria and Napoleon’s invasion of Moscow in 1812.

They also come in an array of shapes and sizes, ranging from one that is roughly the size of a matchbox to another over two metres in length.

Originally curated over 30 years by Jacqueline and Jonathan Gestetner, the paper peepshows are now part of the V&A’s research collection, and will soon be accessible in the reading rooms of the National Art Library.

6. View from L'Angostura de Paine in Chile, probably by Maria Graham, British, ca.1835 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Photographer - Dennis Crompton
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3. The Interior of the Crystal Palace in London, German, 1851 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Photographer - Dennis Crompton
2. Teleorama No. 1, by H. F. Müller, Austrian, ca.1824-25 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London - Photographer - Dennis Crompton
4. River Thames and Tunnel, British, ca.1843 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Photographer - Dennis Crompton
3a. The Interior of the Crystal Palace in London, German, 1851 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Photographer - Dennis Crompton
8. Riflemen on manoeuvre, unknown origin, ca.1910 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Photographer - Dennis Crompton
1. Boîte d’optique, British, ca.1740 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Photographer - Dennis Crompton

All photos by Dennis Crompton

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