Theatre with 6 engraved and handcoloured plates

carved and mounted to cardboard surface. Jeremias Wachsmuth. Augsburg, Martin Engelbrecht, (c. 1780). Six finely designed, engraved and handcoloured theatre plates; acts and scenes with opening in the middle. Depending on the opening, the background shows a gallery, a pavillion or an ornamental garden with fountain. Foreground with architectural front. Both foreground and background with actors wearing costumes of the French court of Louis XV. Final plate perforated and with on reverse green, blue and red paint, fully lighting the theatre when a light is placed behind it.

Charming toy theatre for children to be used as a peepshow or with loose scenes. Theatre no. 7 with numbered front 386 and scenes 38-42, ostensibly a complete set. Added 2 comparable theatre plates with nos. 166-167 of theatre 26, also by Wachsmuth & Engelbrecht. Edges dusty with small stains; a few actors with light damage, mostly with added plates 166 and 167. Good set. (total 8)