V&A acquires world’s largest paper peepshow collection

Date
27 July 2016
Above

Napoleon on St Helena. British, c.1830
Victoria and Albert Museum, London Photograph: Dennis Crompton

Victoria & Albert museum has announced the acquisition of over 360 paper peepshows, donated to the museum under the UK Government’s Cultural Gifts Scheme, forming the world’s largest collection of the vibrant and miniature art form.

Paper peepshows are small-scale models, popular throughout the 19th Century, recreating notable scenes from history or literature that transport the viewer through an immersive illusion of depth. Created from hand painted and printed paper and cloth, peepshows became an inexpensive pastime for children and adults alike, since they first emerged in the 1820s.

The pieces range from the size of a matchbook, to several metres in length. L’Ononmastico, an Italian peepshow circa 1900, expands from such a miniature scale to some 20cm in length, revealing a lively street scene as it unfolds.

Others examples detail notable sights and social events of the time, including the resplendent Crystal Palace, the Haymarket and then newly the created Thames Tunnel (today part of TfL’s network connecting Rotherhithe and Wapping London Overground stations), or recreations of foreign countries created as a result of travel and expedition.

Above

Masquerade/Haymarket, published by S. & J. Fuller London, ca. 1826
Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Photograph: Dennis Crompton

“Peeping into one of these tunnel-books is like stepping into another world, travelling through time and space. In an instant you can join Napoleon on the Island of St Helena or a rowdy masquerade on London’s Haymarket. Peepshows were 19th century virtual reality. They offer wonderful insights into social history,” says Dr Catherine Yvard, curator of special collections at the V&A’s National Art Library.

The oldest artefact in the collection, a British example of a boîte d’optique from 1740, offers insight into the precursors to peepshows, a box made from a mahogany with a lens through which to view prints.

Now part of the V&A, this collection covering 300 years of tradition across 12 different countries, will soon be made accessible in the reading rooms of the National Art Library.

Above

The Interior of the Crystal Palace in London. A view into the Life and Doings of London during the Great Industrial Exhibition (Exterior). German, 1851
Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Photograph: Dennis Crompton

Above

The Interior of the Crystal Palace in London. A view into the Life and Doings of London during the Great Industrial Exhibition (Interior). German, 1851.
Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Photograph: Dennis Crompton

Above

River Thames and Tunnel. British, c.1843. Victoria and Albert Museum, London Photograph: Dennis Crompton

Above

Riflemen on manoeuvre. Unknown origin, c.1910
Victoria and Albert Museum, London Photograph: Dennis Crompton

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View from L’Angostura de Paine in Chile, by Maria Graham British, c.1835
Victoria and Albert Museum, London Photograph: Dennis Crompton

Above

Boîte d’optique. British, ca. 1740
Victoria and Albert Museum, London Photograph: Dennis Crompton

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About the Author

Jamie Green

Jamie joined It’s Nice That back in May 2016 as an editorial assistant. And, after a seven-year sojourn away planning advertising campaigns for the likes of The LEGO Group and Converse, he came back to look after New Business & Partnerships here at It’s Nice That. Get in touch with him to discuss new business opportunities, and how we can work together on creative partnerships, insights, experiences or advertising.

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