An expanding perspective view based on the Thames Tunnel, designed by Sir Marc Isambard Brunel, and built from 1825 to 1843 - an example of a peep show or tunnel book.

Peepshows or expanding perspective views gained some popularity in the early 19^th century. They evolved from the old travelling peepshows that were shown at fairs and similar venues, but had the advantage of being small and portable. They were frequently issued as a souvenir to celebrate the opening of some special event, such as the Thames Tunnel or the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 1851. The perspective view provided by the peepshow offered real depth and distance.

S & J Fuller at 'The Temple of Fancy' were among the first publishers to explore this type of toy-book. The Tunnel was an elegant and beautifully finished piece which sold for six shillings and six pence, making it an expensive item when compared to the more usual price of two shillings and sixpence charged for this type of toy-book.

The Thames Tunnel at Rotherhithe was the first tunnel built under a large navigable river. It was designed by Sir Marc Brunel and his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel was appointed chief assistant engineer on the project. There were difficulties in construction in part due to the unstable nature of the riverbed and it took 18 years to complete the work. It was opened in 1843. This tunnel is still in operation as part of the London Underground East London Line.

• Haining, Peter Movable books: an illustrated history ... London: New English Library, 1979
• Menz, Christopher Regency: British art & design 1800-1830 Adelaide: Art Gallery of South Australia, 1998, p. 50
• Buchanan, RA Brunel: the life and times of Isambard Kingdom Brunel London: Hambledon and London, 2002

• Museum of Childhood: peepshow
• Peepshows or tunnel books
• Exploring tunnel books

State Library of South Australia: Treasures Wall. Friends of the State Library of South Australia exhibition July 2007-