Rare Example: Early (c. 1840s) Handmade Brewster-Style Hexagonal Kaleidoscope

I was really excited to find this one. I've had a few antique handmade kaleidoscopes over the years and will forever scoop them up when I come across them--I consider it something of a mission to cultivate wider appreciation for just how very cool and special these are! The kaleidoscope wasn't invented until 1816, by Scottish mathematician and physicist Dr. David Brewster, by accident, but he did not secure a permit and soon examples like this, of cardboard, glass, and paper, became a popular phenomenon, delivering magic to the people!  This is one of those, c. 1840s, and operates manually by turning the whole thing, working works just as it should. 

10 1/8" l x 2 1/12" d. Very good condition, just light general wear. A pretty rare find, these most often are found in museums. I've done my best to photograph what one sees through the eye hole, but photos are not great. A good shake yields a whole new configuration of glass shards, then turning shifts them more gradually.