Vintage Kaleidoscopes, "L Optique" in Red Cream and Blue By Van Cort Instruments.

“L’Optique” is a handheld vintage teleidoscope that is made of a tube wrapped in marbelized, lacquered paper called Paper A'Cuve. The paper is laid carefully and slowly onto a prepared tray of water with droplets of color floating on it. Since this random coloring, the patterns will always vary just a bit. The paper is then laid out to dry and then wrapped around the scope. Don’t let the idea of paper scare you, for this is one of their best, sturdy production items, and they have many to their credit.

This teleidoscope as you might know is an optical instrument that reflects whatever it is pointed at and multiplies that image again and again. The still photos you see here are that of a Mountain Dew soda can. Three mirrors reflect that viewed image into a piece of art that changes as you move around the room. Can you imagine the beauty inside this well-made teleidoscope when pointed at a brightly-lit set of lights or a Christmas tree? Yes! The eyepiece is sufficiently wide to view your world in a different but delightful way. This teleidoscope was made about l990s, yet because of the Van Corts reputation for precisely machined works, it has weathered the thirty-some years beautifully. This piece is in excellent condition because of the high quality that the Van Corts put into their works.

Kate and Eric Van Cort started their business reproducing optical instruments such as telescopes. They soon gained a well-deserved reputation for their precisely machined kaleidoscopes such as the “Lucida”, their first kaleidoscope made in 1983. A reproduction of a 19th-century English kaleidoscope followed in 1983 called “The Classic.” Perhaps their most famous is the reproduction of the Bush Kaleidoscope. With such a successful start, it’s no wonder that this “L’Optique” is still very attractive and of the highest quality.

Dimensions

1 7/8” in diameter, with brass fittings at the eyepiece and opposite end

9 7/8” long body.

Like New Has no wear marks or defects. Original Box is also included. This scope comes without a base. A great gift for your loved one or maybe even yourself!!

Customers Say
" I bought the telescope/kaleidoscope as a present for a friend and found it hard to part with. It arrived in perfect condition and is an astounding piece of work with so many more variations of patterns than an ordinary kaleidoscope as one can point it everlastingly at different objects and come up with something different every time. Shall be recommending your website to anyone who asks me for suggestions for their birthday and Christmas lists." - Stella