Rare Books
The kaleidograph [kit] : an instructive amusement creating patterns in colors for home and school
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Kopeefun Magic Copy Paper Kit
Visual Materials
One tracing book entitled Kopeefun Magic Copy Paper Kit, manufactured by the Embree Manufacturing Company, Elizabeth, New Jersey, copyright 1940. The front cover bears a color illustration of a family of four using a Kopeefun kit; the title is below the image. The back cover contains promotional text for the drawing kit, and declares Kopeefun kits "Fun for Everyone from 5 to 55." "Pat. pending, Copyright 1940" is printed on the bottom of the back cover. The book contains 24 unnumbered leaves of images and partial images for copying by rubbing. The kit includes several sheets of "magic paper", which are placed over an image and then rubbed with a hard edged tool (such as a butter knife). The printed image is transferred to the magic paper, which, in turn, can be transferred to another sheet of paper or any surface. The first few pages of this book contain directions and suggestions for use, and the remaining leaves contain elements of cartoons and images. For example, there is a leaf of hairstyles, another of hats, another of mouths, etc. These can be combined to create a wide variety of images.
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Myrianthea, or Numberless Groups of Changeable Flowers. Superior Edition
Visual Materials
One boxed set of paper flowers entitled The Myrianthea; or Numberless Groups of Changeable Flowers. Superior Edition, published, and manufactured, by John Burgis, of London, published [1823]. The set is comprised of 61 paper cutout (and watercolored) images of flowers and leaves, flat sticks to mount the paper cut outs onto, three composition sheets with slots for insertion of the flowers (to create a paper floral arrangement), and an instruction booklet. The accompanying booklet is entitled Myrianthea; or, Numberless Groups of Changeable Flowers: Intended to Teach, by the most ready and easy means, the Art of Composing, Drawing, and Colouring Groups of Flowers; with Directions to Assist the Student in Copying from Nature. To which is added, The Method of imitating Bronze Vases, Shading and Varnishing Gold Ornaments used in Ladies Fancy Works, &c.&c.&c.. The dedication is signed "John Burgis." The 22 page booklet includes instructions on the use of the flowers, and how to paint the vases and background flowers over which the cut outs are placed. The instructions include color samples that have been hand painted in watercolor. [The paper in this book is watermarked 1823; no other dates of manufacture or publishing have been printed on other parts of the kit.] The kit is housed within an elaborately decorated paperboard box.
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