It might have a different meaning today, but the word ‘peepshow’ used to be an innocent term for an optical device that invited the viewer into all sorts of miniature worlds.
Consisting of a front and back panel with cut-out prints in between, linked at the sides or on the top and bottom by bellows, the paper peepshow folds flat but looks like a stretched-out concertina when it’s opened, revealing scenes that create an illusion of depth as they recede into the distance.
The paper peepshow, which was extremely popular in the 19th century, was a development of the box peepshow, often displayed in towns and at fairs and by travelling peepshow men who charged people to look inside the box.
The paper peepshow trend began in Austria and Germany and they were often sold as souvenirs at popular travel destinations. They were also used as a promotional tool; the example pictured here was for Shell Oil, designed by artist Barnett Freedman. The two scenes show a rainy evening in London and a sunny day trip in the country, with the tag line, In Winter & In Summer You Can Be Sure Of Shell. It could be yours for $4000; this one is on show now at the Ephemera Society of America’s annual fair at Salmon Rare Books.
