Snapshots of the Past

Politeness – Vintage Wall Art

Politeness, Haymarket, [London] : Published by Thos. McLean, [1833] — antique lithograph
Politeness, Haymarket, [London] : Published by Thos. McLean, [1833]. Antique lithograph from the Valentine's Day collection.

(Originally scanned by the Library of Congress. Each image is professionally and digitally cleaned of artifacts such as color bars and extra borders prior to printing.)

Description

This rare antique lithograph captures Politeness in remarkable detail. Sourced directly from the Library of Congress, it represents an authentic piece of documented history.

Framed, it is ready for the wall; unframed, it is ready for the frame you choose. A fine choice for anyone who loves history, and a gift that gets noticed. Free shipping in the lower 48 states. Since 2001, Snapshots of the Past has shipped historic prints to tens of thousands of customers around the world.

Politeness

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Few images on this board are meant to be handled rather than simply looked at. This hand-colored lithograph is a spinning disc: when it is turned, a bowing man and a curtsying woman appear to bow and curtsy to one another around the outer rim. It was published by Thomas McLean in Haymarket, London, in 1833, and appeared in his collection of optical illusions, part of a craze for parlor toys that exploited the persistence of vision. Such discs, sold as home entertainment, were a way for Regency and early Victorian households to enjoy science and wit together.

Created / publishedHaymarket, [London] : Published by Thos. McLean, [1833]
Medium1 print on disc : lithograph, hand-colored ; 24 cm.
GenreOptical toys English 1830-1840.Lithographs Hand-colored 1830-1840.
NotesOptical illusion disc which is spun displaying the illusion of motion of a man bowing and a woman curtsying to each other in a circle at the outer edge of the disc. Published in: McLean's optical illusions; or magic panorama. London, T. McLean, 1833. Exhibited: American Treasures of the Library of Congress.
SubjectsHuman locomotion--1830-1840. Optical illusions--1830-1840. Etiquette--1830-1840.
SourceLibrary of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
Original scan4,716 × 3,781 px · prints to 16 × 13 in at 300 dpi
ReferenceAMZ-SOTP-HPA-221546

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