|
|
 
|
© 2014 CPRR.org. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the User Agreement which permits personal use web viewing only; no copying; arbitration; no warranty.
|
|
|
Stereoscopes
Hand Held Stereoscope, wood with veneer. Courtesy Design of the Time.Also see Holmes Stereoscope Replica Kit.
Alexander Beckers Tabletop cabinet stereo viewer models, 1860.
(Above) Designed and manufactured by Alexander Beckers of New York, this is the basic early style with one pair of viewing lenses, constructed of gorgeous dark rosewood, that holds 36 stereo view cards or slides on a continuous belt.
(Below) Beautiful hardwood 1860's cabinet stereo card viewer. It has a set of viewing lenses on both sides, so is therefore a "sweetheart" viewer (two people can use the machine simultaneously), it can store up to fifty stereo cards, and is quite similar in style to the early design of Alexander Beckers.
Courtesy, David Silver, President, International Photographic Historical Organization.
Smith, Beck & Beck stereo viewer for cards or slides, c. 1860's.
Look at the gorgeous wood construction, brass lens board, and the amazing way the viewer flips over and stores in the box that doubles as its tabletop stand. This stunning piece has some of the best lenses ever put on a stereo viewer. Typical for this model, the top door on the viewer has warped with time. In this model, a little mirror hides on this top door.
Courtesy, David Silver, President, International Photographic Historical Organization.
All metal "Perfecscope" stereo card viewer, c. 1905.
Made of polished tin or some sort of chromed sheet metal,
including the curved surfaces of the hood. The only parts that are
not metal are the wooden handle, which pivots and then locks in the proper
viewing position, and, of course, the excellent glass viewing lenses.
An unusual variation on the wooden Holmes-Bates style stereo viewer. To the
right is an Anthony CDV portrait of Oliver
Wendell Holmes (1809-1894), physician and professor of anatomy and physiology
at Harvard, writer, stereoviewer
inventor, and the father of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr, the Supreme Court
Justice.
Courtesy, David
Silver, President, International
Photographic Historical Organization.
United States Patents for Stereoscopes: 
[Click
to see each original 19th century patent as a PDF file.]
US Patent #00016962, US Patent #00023342, US Patent #00023543, US Patent #00040798, US Patent #00052744, US Patent #00055044, US Patent #00099135, US Patent #00099136, US Patent #00115269, US Patent #00132981, US Patent #00138930, US Patent #00148468, US Patent #00151745, US Patent #00154614, US Patent #00156311, US Patent #00163000, US Patent #00177527, US Patent #00183579, US Patent #00232649, US Patent #RE000890, US Patent #RE006557.
(These and hundreds more historic stereoscope U.S. patents are available on an indexed CD.)
View Book Image Courtesy History's
Imprints.
"This magnificent 19th century stereoscope
is a genuine work of art, as evidenced by a similar one being on display
at the J.
Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. A beautiful piece of antique
functional furniture. Solid mahogany with burl base. Can be viewed
from both sides, although eye pieces do not seem to be precisely focused.
The knobs on both sides rotate a carousel within that hold 36 stereo photo
cards. When the lids are opened (see photo, right), mirrors are exposed
on the insides. As is typical, the lids are slightly warped and do
not lay perfectly parallel when shut. Height is about 18 inches,
width (with eye pieces) is about 14 inches."
Courtesy anonymous donor.
Stereographoscope.
This Rosewood Antique Table-Top Stereo Viewer, is of
French or English origin. In addition to the normal lenses for viewing
stereo cards, it
features a large magnifying glass for viewing cabinet
cards. The base measures 16 1/2" x 9", and when fully upright is
about 15 1/2" tall. The front can be raised a further few inches to achieve
a comfortable viewing angle. When collapsed, it is about 3 1/2" tall.
The holder in the back accepts standard-size stereo view cards and has
a smoked/frosted glass backing, which allows for backlighting (for the
viewing of tissue views). The holder slides back and forth
to adjust focus. The large magnifying glass is about 5" in diameter,
and slides up and down on the two metal rods. There is an inch or
so of space in the base of the viewer. Other
examples of stereo-graphoscopes can be seen here.
Courtesy Andy
Serpa, Victorian
Rose.
Keystone Telebinocular Viewers.
The Keystone System of Travel. Tour of the world.
1,200 stereo cards in book shaped boxes with 2 telebinocular stereo
viewers with clip on incandescent illuminator and stand. Original bill
of sale and a dated 1936. Accompanying book showing the stereoview
titles, 185 pages. Approximately 70 lbs.
Courtesy Joyce
McGettrick,Collectible
Flea Mart, Antiques.
Keystone Commercial Stereo Viewer
Keystone Model 46A Occupational Stereo Viewer with built-in lamp.
Provides exceptional clarity, much better than regular non-commercial viewers.
A knob switches from one card holder to the other. The arm quickly
adjust to different heights. The unit is large, well made and heavy.
Original wooden carry case.
Courtesy Axel
Bieringer.
Also see Visual Survey Telebinocular for the Keystone 46B and 46C viewer models – the best stereoviewers ever made because of their wonderful achromatic lenses. Both the 46B and 46C viewer models have a single stereoview holder which moves for focusing. Dr. George Themelis notes that in the above illustrated 46A model with two stereoview holders, one holder is focused at infinity (far point) and the other is focused at the near point. The 46A model's holders are fixed and do not move for focusing. This is a considerable disadvantage if someone wants to use the 46A model for standard stereo viewing and not for eye testing.
Zeiss Mirror Stereoscope N2. Used for photo-interpretation of
large format (two 9" x 9") aerial photos. It features a large angular field,
with excellent Zeiss Optics. With birch box. For use, the side mirrors
are extended with detachable legs (not shown). Combination of binocular
lenses, prisms, and front surfaced mirrors. The binocular magnifier
flips back for unmagnified stereo viewing.
 |
 |
 |
For more information see:
