La cathedrale de Notre-Dame a Paris. The Cathedral of Our-Woman in Paris, (c. 1855)
Paris
1677
Seven-panel peepshow. At the lid appears the iconic western facade of the cathedral, with its upper half on a separate sheet, affixed to the box by being tipped-in just behind...
Seven-panel peepshow. At the lid appears the iconic western facade of the cathedral, with its upper half on a separate sheet, affixed to the box by being tipped-in just behind the lid illustration. On that upper sheet, between the pair of Gothic spires, is the German variant of the title, and beneath are three doorways which open inward. Peering in, the viewer gazes down the nave, past various devotees, to the apse in its colorful array. The depth-effect is tremendous, due to the fine detail of the hand-colored illustrations and to the sheer length of the extended accordion (27 1/2 inches, or 70 cm). Few surviving examples retain the separate facade panel - here it is detached but entirely whole and easily pocketed into position. Box lid rubbed overall, with corners split and loss of right side panel. Box lower quite sturdy with no signs of tampering. Near fine, and quite the spectacle. Former owner's, or seller's, inscription to underside.