Handmade Praxinoscope

$132.5 ~~$265~~ In stock

Rediscover the magic of animation with this vintage optical toy. Invented by Charles Reynaud in 1877, the praxinoscope utilizes a rotating drum and a series of mirrors to create brilliant moving pictures. Made by Garami and Ötvös in Hungary, this mesmerizing instrument is constructed from copper and wood. Eight illustrated paper strips are included to create a variety of different animations.

Customer Reviews (4.5 / 5 · 2 reviews)

Evelyn U. ★★★★★ Sep 15, 2026

I spun the drum slowly and the little figures actually walked across the reflection, it felt like holding a tiny movie theater from 1877. My nephew ignored his tablet for a solid twenty minutes, which never happens.

David ★★★★☆ Sep 14, 2026

The mirrors really do make the animation look smoother than I expected, way better than those flip books I had as a kid. Only thing is the drum spins a bit fast if you're not gentle, so it takes a few tries to get it right. Still, it's a nice little desk toy that guests always pick up.