Present from New Brighton Peep Egg Viewer
08
days
23
hours
16
minutes
21
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Edwin Molenaar
Over 30 years experience in photography and camera building.
Estimate € 430 - € 500
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A Victorian alabaster Peep Egg souvenir from New Brighton, in very good condition and fully functional, ca. 1870–1890, with a complete internal crystal grotto and two historical lithographs behind a working crown-topped turning mechanism.
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Description from the seller
A beautiful and extremely rare piece of 19th-century optical amusement: a Victorian alabaster "Peep Egg" (peep egg), produced as a luxurious holiday souvenir in the seaside town of New Brighton, England, circa 1870-1890.
This specimen is a so-called "cave-type" and is in strikingly complete condition. Where many remaining eggs have lost the delicate interior over the decades, this egg is still fully equipped on the inside with the miniature crystal grotto. When you look through the magnifying lens at the top and hold the egg up to the light, the inner side glows magically.
Features and interior:
• Exterior: Fully intact translucent alabaster housing, hand-decorated with the original inscription "Present from New Brighton". The mechanism with the wooden turning knobs is complete and functional.
• Crystal grotto: A beautifully preserved miniature landscape on the inside, built from a colored palette with an authentic dried bouquet and sparkling mineral crystals, including rock crystal (selenite), pyrite (fool’s gold) and hematite.
• Rotating images: The mechanism shows two (somewhat faded by time but still recognizable) historical lithographs of the top attractions of the Victorian seaside resort: New Brighton Battery (Fort Perch Rock) and New Brighton Promenade Pier (opened in 1867)
Condition:
In very good, pristine antique condition (very rare for this delicate material). The housing is completely intact without cracks or large chips. The rotating mechanism works as it should. The interior is exceptionally complete with the original minerals and dried flowers. The two images are authentic and somewhat faded in keeping with an age of over 130 years.
See the photos for an accurate impression of this fascinating object.
A beautiful and extremely rare piece of 19th-century optical amusement: a Victorian alabaster "Peep Egg" (peep egg), produced as a luxurious holiday souvenir in the seaside town of New Brighton, England, circa 1870-1890.
This specimen is a so-called "cave-type" and is in strikingly complete condition. Where many remaining eggs have lost the delicate interior over the decades, this egg is still fully equipped on the inside with the miniature crystal grotto. When you look through the magnifying lens at the top and hold the egg up to the light, the inner side glows magically.
Features and interior:
• Exterior: Fully intact translucent alabaster housing, hand-decorated with the original inscription "Present from New Brighton". The mechanism with the wooden turning knobs is complete and functional.
• Crystal grotto: A beautifully preserved miniature landscape on the inside, built from a colored palette with an authentic dried bouquet and sparkling mineral crystals, including rock crystal (selenite), pyrite (fool’s gold) and hematite.
• Rotating images: The mechanism shows two (somewhat faded by time but still recognizable) historical lithographs of the top attractions of the Victorian seaside resort: New Brighton Battery (Fort Perch Rock) and New Brighton Promenade Pier (opened in 1867)
Condition:
In very good, pristine antique condition (very rare for this delicate material). The housing is completely intact without cracks or large chips. The rotating mechanism works as it should. The interior is exceptionally complete with the original minerals and dried flowers. The two images are authentic and somewhat faded in keeping with an age of over 130 years.
See the photos for an accurate impression of this fascinating object.
Details
Era
1400-1900
Brand
Present from New Brighton
Model/type nr
Peep Egg
Physical condition
Very good
Functional condition
Tested and working
Estimated period
1850-1900
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