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Object Timeline

1948

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2025

  • You found it!

Optical Toy, Phenakistiscope Disc with Geometric Shapes

This is a Optical toy. It was designed by Josef Bermann. It is dated ca. 1840 and we acquired it in 1948. Its medium is hand-colored lithograph on paperboard. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

It is credited Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. John Innes Kane.

Its dimensions are

H x diam.: 25 × 25 cm (9 13/16 × 9 13/16 in.)

It is inscribed

Printed in black text, surrounding central perforation: Josef Bermann Kunsthandler in Wien Graben 619

Cite this object as

Optical Toy, Phenakistiscope Disc with Geometric Shapes; Designed by Josef Bermann (Austrian, 1810 - 1866); hand-colored lithograph on paperboard; H x diam.: 25 × 25 cm (9 13/16 × 9 13/16 in.); Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. John Innes Kane; 1948-124-4

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18607983/ |title=Optical Toy, Phenakistiscope Disc with Geometric Shapes |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=7 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>