?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 300 - $ 500
(GAMES.) J. Bradburn. The Magic Wheel. Original box with hand-colored engraved paper label containing the handle, base card, and complete set of 12 hand-colored engraved motion discs. Box 9 1/2x9 1/2 inches, a bit worn, upper cover good, back cover with printed advertisement label torn, discs with minor foxing and minimal use wear, metal handle repaired. New York, 1864
Number four of a series of American-made 19th-century novelty animation devices known as a Phenakistiscope. When assembled, the viewer spins the discs and peers through the moving holes in the base disc towards a mirror and is delighted with a looping cinematic effect. The origin of the device's name comes from the Greek "phenakistocos" meaning "to deceive" and "ops" meaning "eye". The optical illusion: a simple but high quality form of 19th-century entertainment.
