Customer Reviews

The Magic Mirror: An Antique Optical Toy

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This little book brings instant delight to young and old - it will fascinate children the most! Children jostle for position, but cooperate and take turns to "see" what it is all about.

The idea for this goes back earlier than the "turn of the century" since it is mentioned by some authors as already in museums as long ago as 1749: "Some idea can be formed by those who have seen in museums the optical cylinders in which beautiful images are represented from things roughly projected....which when they are concentrated toward the cylinder, they there present a lovely image." (Swedenborg)

I have myselt purchased several dozen of this book, and given it as gifts, much to the delight of all concerned.

This book is great for teaching or learning about anamorphic art. I teach the subject in one of my classes and this book is the only place I found that has pictures of anamorphic art to show kids. I cut them out and glued them smoothly on cardboard, then laminated. I made a cylindrical mirror with dowel to entice the kids before making one of their own. I greatly appreciate that this book exists.

Our granddaughter enjoys this book although there is no text. We had gotten Gracie's Gallery with the same type of pictures so she knew how to use it by rolling the "mirror" paper to see the pictures.