What is "cosmorama"

Cosmorama \Cos`mo*ra"ma\ (k?z`m?-r?"m? or -r?"m?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ko`smos the world + "o`rama a sight, spectacle, fr. "ora^n to see.] An exhibition in which a series of views in various parts of the world is seen reflected by mirrors through a series of lenses, with such illumination, etc., as will make the views most closely represent reality.

n. (context dated English) An exhibition of perspective images using various optical effects

A cosmorama is an exhibition of perspective pictures of different places in the world, usually world landmarks. Careful illumination and lenses are used to give the images greater realism.

Cosmorama was also the name of an entertainment in 19th century London, at 207-209 Regent Street, at which the public could view scenes of distant lands and exotic subjects through optical devices that magnified the pictures. It was later converted into an exhibition of curiosities named the Prince of Wales Bazaar. Exhibits included a sea lion, a sea serpent and L. Bertolotto's Flea circus.

Adjective: Cosmoramic. Source: Rowe's Illustrated Cheltenham Guide 1845 (sic, not 1850) which, describing Pittville Pump Room, invites visitors at first floor level "to inspect a series of Cosmoramic Views arranged with considerable effect in a separate apartment."

Note: Vanderlyn's painting, shown below, has always been considered a panorama, not a cosmorama.

vanderlyn, panoramic view of the palace and gardens of versailles, 1818-1819, 01.JPG|Cosmorama of Chateau Versailles (1819-1818), once in City Hall Park, New York City, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art vanderlyn, panoramic view of the palace and gardens of versailles, 1818-1819, 02.JPG|Cosmorama of Chateau Versailles (1819-1818), once in City Hall Park, New York City, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art vanderlyn, panoramic view of the palace and gardens of versailles, 1818-1819, 03.JPG|Cosmorama of Chateau Versailles (1819-1818), once in City Hall Park, New York City, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Cosmorama may refer to:

• Cosmorama, São Paulo, a municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil.
• Cosmorama, a perspective picture of the landmarks of the world.
• Cosmorama an entertainment in 19th century London involving cosmorama images.
• Kosmorama is the name of Trondheim International Film Festival in Norway.