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Antique Charles G. Bush Kaleidoscope, Late 19th Century

Offered by: The Great Republic

Description
Presented is late 19th century Charles G. Bush kaleidoscope. The kaleidoscope is crafted from a hard cardboard tube with black faux shagreen wrap. One end is outfitted with a glass lensed-eyepiece. The working end is fitted with a brass barrel and six brass turning spokes. Inside, the chamber box is filled with an array of liquid-filled glass vials and other intricately cut glass objects, providing amazingly colorful and geometrically interesting imagery. The outside of the brass barrel has an original label that reads "C.G. Bush & Co. Providence R.I. Patents Re-issued Nov. 11, 1873". The whole is presented on an attractive turned walnut stand.

Charles G. Bush was born in Prussia in 1825 and immigrated to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1847. Originally a rope maker, he began experimenting with microscopes, glass magnification, and cut glass designs as a hobby. By 1870, he was manufacturing and selling his unique kaleidoscope designs in Providence.

Crafted with angled mirrors and colorful glass enclosed in a tube, kaleidoscopes create beautiful, ever-changing symmetrical patterns. Charles Bush created and patented a new kaleidoscope design that placed small liquid-filled vials into the kaleidoscopes. Inside the liquid vials were air bubbles, which continued to move even after the case was at rest. Both the solid and liquid-filled glass pieces were of brilliant and well-chosen colors, and the ever-changing patterns they formed were the finest of any 19th century kaleidoscope on the market. His extraordinary pieces quickly found world-wide demand and he was granted several American patents in 1873 and 1874 for his unique vial designs.

CONDITION:

In good, working condition. Cardboard tube, with black faux shagreen wrap. Tube has a small puncture. Rotating brass end with six turning spokes. Brass shows light wear but overall attractive finish. Opposite end is fitted with a glass-lensed eyepiece. Interior chamber is filled with multi-colored glass twists and rods, cuts of German sheet glass in various forms, and liquid-filled glass ampules. Original label still affixed, with small loss in second line of text. The whole is mounted on a turned walnut base.

Dimensions: 14 1/4" H x 10" W x 6 1/2" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.

More Information

Period:	19th Century
Condition:	Good.
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	759884

Dimensions

W.	10 in;	H.	14.25 in;	D.	6.5 in;
W.	25.4 cm;	H.	36.2 cm;	D.	16.51 cm;

Message from Seller:

Established in 2010, The Great Republic specializes in one-of-a-kind collectibles that honor American history, with a special focus on the rare and unique. Our collection is complete with rarities that are sure to wow, such as first edition books, antique hand-sewn flags from the Civil War, vintage travel posters, and original signatures from American presidents, such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, just to name a few. P: 719.471.6157 E: headquarters@great-republic.com