Posted 9 years ago
Rareclassy…
(8 items)
Stereoscopes were introduced in the early 19th century. Stereoscopes use two almost identical images, with a few inches to the side of one another. When viewed through the lenses, it gives the illusion of a three dimensional image. The wood is stamped Pat'd April 12' 1904. The metal features a deer and the word Monarch engraved.
Thanks for the "love"!
I recall using one of these when I was younger. (And, no, I'm not old. I'm younger than most members here!)
Nice stereoscope-- I am a collector as well.
The handheld stereoscope similar to yours was first introduced in the 1860s, although there were double lens versions as early as about 1850.
The popularity really took off with the development of paper images, which made the production of multiple views a commercially viable (easy to produce, inexpensive and profitable).
scott
Thanks for the feedback! I have only seen a couple of these around while out and about! These are really cool and I was thrilled to have found mine! Thanks again!
What type of views do you collect? I recommend that you pick an area to focus on as it is easy to get overwhelmed!
Good luck with the collection.
scott
The design of your stereoscope (and hundreds of others) is based on the original Holmes-Bates stereoscope first described in "The Philadelphia Photographer", January 1869. These are marvelous instruments and fun to collect. Some of the viewing hoods are very ornate and worth looking for.
You might enjoy looking at my two 1850s stereo viewer posts:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/178056-mascher-stereo-daguerreotype-viewer-with?in=user
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/169537-stull-daguerreotype-viewing-case-c-1855
Be sure to post some of your stereoviews! - Rob